The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-04
From the Boston Post.
The Duty of Congress.

When the position of Mexico is known with SO much
certany-when that misguided power doggedly persists
IN refusing 10 listen 10 any terms OF paclcation--wheD
gallant army her midst, urgently requiring fur
Their to enable them 10 pursue the objects OF the
warhe action or inacon OF Congress is entirely inde-
iensble Ii is not consistent with the commonest duties
OF patriotism and the people already beginning TO in
qure, in unwonted tones, ut whose door hes the blame
In Congress there is overwhelming majority OF pro-
tessed friends of the administration; yet what has become
Of the efficient war recommendations OF the President
Not one OF them has become law More than SIN
weeks OF the session has passed. and from some cause,
the public business has been neglected. Shame shame
this delay 1t reards the most important movements
lit parayZes the national arnt postpones the day OF
peace. The people expect such conduct IN OLD federal
Massachusetts, It's bitter partisanshp acts by instinct
IFS national affairs, whether they are directed
by Jefferson, or Madison, jackson, Polk has been
marked AT all times by narrowness and IN war times by
action little short OF treason but where there major
nv OF democrasof politicians who are expected stand
BIZ the naton-the people look for different conduct
Ihey expect 10 see prompt and patriotic iegsaioA-egs
laon coming up 10 the demand OF the times and creiila-
Die 10 the American character II always has been So
II ought 10 be so now.
We regard the duty OF Congress--its unquestionable
duy,o be- TO leave abstract questions for the future
settle, and 10 attend to the business OF defending the
country. We cannot comprehend the patriotism OF those,
from the north or from the south, who determined
the question OF slavery with the question Of
furnishing supplies 10 carry the Mexican tits moi,
purpose 10 discuss tins questionable question OF
prohibiting OF permitting slavery in any territory TO be
acquired in the progress of this We what It's bare
introduction has done already 1t threatens dsoganza-
ton in the ranks OF the administration; It's tendency, be-
You'd all question, to foment jealousy where there
ought 10 be confidence TO produce division where there
ought 10 be union, 10 gre hope 10 Tie enemy and thus to
proong the The for restricting slavery to
territory slave terrltorytor prohibiting slavery in
territory free territory either in possession to be
acquired may be strong, unanswenble mmoyable; but
now is no tme--we are clear in hs-to present them.
is question among ourselves between members of
the same country There is foreign question to be
settled first, between this country whole, and its
enemy Standing in front of his cannon we would stand
united pouring out money like wafer until he sues for
peace Until then, collateral issue should he toera-
ted Let the business the base business of dividing the
councils, OF parayzlng the energies OF weakening the
Union be left in the hands of ayowed disunonists and
their aders and defenders, be they who they may We
regret that democrats in Congress- that single
democrat, should have consented for moment to play
into their hands II is for this great reason-namey,
that IL will weaken war efforts, and encourage
the enemy TO prolong the war-that hope that Con-
up in its natural ORDER when territory shall have been
acquired and attend Immediately 10 the measures
sary to maintain the honor OF our flag.
One thing more tits useless to deny the fact, that on
the democratic majority OF Congress is the responsibility
of legislation Whatever blame may lie at the door OF
individual members, whatever may be the motives that
prompt their course II is 10 this large minority that the
people look that the country receives no derment An
effort is urgently needed Let the exciting questions
of president making, OF slavery, OF faction OF all Sorts
be postponed, and sectional wranglng give place TO a
united and efficient course, calculated 10 promote the
cause of the country. Let union and action IN the face
OF the enemy, be the watchwori Shame on the delay
let il be no longer!