The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-29
Extra Session OF Congress.

According to indications and opinions at Wash
Ington, there is some appearance that effort vii
be made by the wing party, TO induce General
Taylor to call an extra session OF the incoming
Congress. This session, however, could hardly
meet on the fourth of March, because there are
many members yet to be elected in the several
States from which they will be sent The num-
Der of Represe natives to be elected is ninety.
three, from the States Of Massachusetts,, New
Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Virginia
North Carolina, South Carolina, Zone vacancy,)
Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Lou
isiana, Maryland, Mississippi, and Texas, as given
In the statement in the, Herald of 25th inst.
The policy of an extra session OF Congress, at
the commencement of a new administration, has
heretofore been considered very questionable and
very doubtful. Every one remembers the dlsas-
trous effects, the premature agitations and the
troublesome issues, which the extra session, called
by General HARRISON, produced on the admins
ration of that day. They laid the foundation for
the defeat of the wing party and the prostration of
all their purposes in the subsequent elections.
Perhaps, however, the crisis into which the
country has been preciptated by the agitation of
the slavery question, to almost point of dis
solution, may furnish strong palation for the as
after the coming Inauguration. Yet there are
Some indications developed by the recent elections,
which would justify the belief that the new Con-
gress the present state of public opinion through
out the country will be more impIa cticable, more
ultra and more ungovernabIe the slavery question
than that nowin session. in Washington In the free
States generally, all the members elected by the
wing party have openly aud broadly committed
Il al. Il "a,
present limits, and to It's exclusion from the ne WY
acquired territories, and some OF them, even 10 Its
abolition In the District OF Columbia. Those two
points therefore, on which hang movements tend
ing TO a dissolution OF the Union by the Southern
St-tts, would come Up again In the new Congre So,
stronger and more powerful way than even
the present body. Ia this point of view, and in
reference TO the slave question alone, il would not
seem to be Iusti6abe policy in the President elect
10 conse nj 10 call an extra session The better
course would appear TO be, to give the country
come repcse; to postpone collision between the
slavery and anti-slavery politicians as long as pos
sibe, so as TO give the country period OF breath
ing time; to call up lis. good sense, and thereby
avert the dangers that might arse from collision
OF such irreconciable aud conflicting elements as
now menace the integrity fthe confederacy.
Another interest in Congress, connected with
the wing party, we have doubt, will push for an
extra session at all hazards. There is a certain
party, or clique, of whgs, who were extremely
hostile to the nomination of General Taylor, and
would willingly attempt 10 reach some platform
from which TO influence or rule his policy, through
their action in both houses assembled in extra SEES
sion. The office seekers aud spoIs hunters,
who, Of course, belong, IN great degree, to
those sections Of the wing party, would JOIN in
the same movement, in order to bring about
a general removal Of the officials now IN the en-
ploy Of governm to, and the appointment Of new
ones to the vacant places In the extra session of
1910, Mr.. Clay managed and conducted the move.
ments Of those particular interests Of the wing
party who were disappointed in the nomination
and election OF General Harrison. similar state
of things exists Of the present time, IN regard to