The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-01-21

Our Duty and Deeds.
Whence comes the fatal lethargy which has fallen up
on the action of Congress in this time of need
sncb; The question which is beginning TO resound from
every section of country in tones OF impatence as
punishment, and Indignation. We give, in addition to
what we published yesterday some further evidences OF
this popular feeling throughout our land. which we have
taken almost at random from multitude OF similar es
monies which are now before us.
We cannot wonder, however much we may lament at
The growing exasperation-no weaker term would truly
eypress the feeling of the peopewh which the disas
irons procrastnaon Of Congress- in ITS legislative action
TO nvgorate and so close the war, is coming TO be
eanded Atwhat one previous crisis in annals has
the call of the country for action at the hands Of Con-
gress-prompt Harmonious decisive and worthy of the
energy of our national character and Of the justice of
cause-been more urgent or more imperatlve' While
day after day and week after week so by in abstract
and irrelevant and utterly profess discussion about
slavery in Oregon, where slavery can never come-abou
raising more volunteers, instead OF regulars when al
ready abundant authority is given to embody all the vol
un,eers that may be waned-about the origin OF the
war as stated in the Presidents message, when the real
question no longer about its origin but about its Wig
orous conduct and its speedy closeabout the details OF
the bounty clause to hasten enlistments, when all men
are agreed the sound and important policy OF the
bounty tselfabout the disposition of territory which
has not yet by any due form of constitutional action, be-
come permanently to dispose of-while time,
precious and rreparabe time, the potent auxiliary of the
udcous and the prompt and the irresistible foe of the
shortsishted and the procrasnating-w time sweeps
rapidly on through the last half of short session OF
Congress, and brings to the ranks of enemies the
grim aid of the vomito-Congress folds its arms over
The pressing demands of the Treasury, postpones in
view of collateral issues the seasonable and energetic
recommendations OF the Executive to strengthen the ma
iona arm, and plunges into wearsome and distacng
discussion OF details and Incidents having but small and
scanty bearing upon that great and vital WAR CUES
TON which is the thought Of every patriotic breast
and the topic of every patriotic tongue throughout the
land
We make this astonishing statement in disrespect
full spirit but in sad and bitter sincerity 1t is not an
overcharged statement. We call upon the Representa-
tves of the American people TO consider It, The people
themselves are bordering it deeply It is statement
which goes home to the very core OF our national char
acter as embodied in national government tpre-
sents state OF things of slight nor temporary inter-
est and importance 1t deeply concerns the whole pub
lie veal It touches the efficiency of our free ns
tutons to secure the public welfare, and restore on
terms of Justice and honor the public peace. In
the wise foresight of freedom constitution gave
the war power to the Representatives OF the peo-
pie. With them it reposited the sword of the ma
ton to smite down the aggressor and the wrong doe,
when his aggression and wrong became ntoerabie'
With them too it reposited the national purse-the sin
ews" by which that sword alone be welded 1t thus
made the Executive, in war. merely the agent OF Con-
gress and of the people thus looked with entire con-
dence the patriotic vgor of the national Legislature TO
strengthen, against the enemy, the Executive arm. The
recent course Of Congress has raised the solemn and
manous question: whether and how far these provisions
of the constitution shall enable to maintain rights
repair our wrongs, and vindcate character in just
and unavoidable war
Everything conspires TO us, that if we would
not sacrifice every principle which indepen-
dent nation should prize--if we would plead gull
ty to the charge of national neficency--if we
would not have upon our heads the crime OF war
needessly prolonged of treasure unprofaby squandered
and patriotic blood shed without good resultCongress
must at nfuse power into the war Executive re-
sources are nearly exhausted-Eyecuve duty has long
since been performed The Opposition press asks, in vru
lent and blind party and conumey Why not the
thousand volunteers, authorized by the act even
now embodied and in Mexico' Fifty thousand! Where
the means to pay them' Does it lie with the Execu
tive provide these means Can fill the treasury with
war surplusi While we were yet at peace the Exec
utive urged upon Congress, and with success peace
system of revenue, which stopped the advancing decrease
Of the revenue--already amounting TO near million
year-under the oppressive tax law of 1912 And now,
in time of war; and to meet the exigencies of the war;
the Executive has called Congress for war loan
and recommended the taxation required to negotiate
it, or to sustain the circulation Of treasury notes on terms
honorable to the credit of the country. The loan b-a
measure of most pressing necessity which all other
measures depend-has just the light for moment
in the popular branch OF Congress- and now sleeps neg
lected If not forgotten on the calendar OF the Commit
lee of the Whole Not dollar of the war tax has been
imposed by law upon one taxable article. The Ten Reg
men bill urgently pressed BY the notwithstanding just
escaped in the House transformation which would have
made il little better than nuy-sumbers in the Senate
month ago this bill should have been law. AT this
very moment if Congress had seconded the vgor and
foresight Of the Executive, the troops embodied under
should have been hurrying TO their destination. But
nothing of all this is done. The fingers and
lays in our halls Of legislation amid the establishment
OF the people whose sacred rights il designed to vim
dlcae And meantime our foe, gathering rage and
hardening his blind resolve into yet ercer desperation
Peals out against us the opinion OF his army" through
the whole diana of nsolent defiance prof