Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-09-18

the longest session ever held under the
constitution, and its labors are Of as lit
tie value as the shortest session. The
members have been very busy in making
speeches 10 advance their individual pop
ularity, under the plea Of expressing and
defending the sentiments and rights OF
their constituents. Speeches in Con-
press. as now made, are the veriest hum
bugs Of the day. What member VIII ad-
nit that his opinions are changed ny
speeches made by other members! Inc
admits such q change. are the opinions OF
his constituents changed by the same
OCEANS, Is there a mcsmeric influence
which operates through the mind OF the
member upon that Of the constituent
Members Of Congress are elected 10 car
nv on, ,hcprnciplcs & measures they ad-
vocate before the people, previous 70 'he''
election. If they change those OPINIONS
after hearing their associates. DO thev
carry out the sentiments OF those VINO
son, them there! Upon the great ques-
lion Of human freedom which has occu-
pied almost exclusively the present sess-
ion of Congress, what member has been
convinced that slavery should be exfen-
ded. or on the other hand, restricted! The
member Of Congress should be but the
exponent of the sentiments OF their con-
s,ituents. When he cannot consistently
carry out by his votes, what he believes to
be their wishes, he should resign the trust
confded to him, and permit another to
take his place. The most efficient means
of carving out those wishes IS by rofHg.
Speeches have no power IN establishing
law, but by voting laws are enacted.
A whic is elected to Congress because
he is the fast, firm friend Of wing primer
oles and measures. Is il expected that he
will be induced to vote for free trade by
the speeches made by his democratic as
socia,es? a democrat is elected TO OPP
pose appropriations for internal improve
monts by the general government, and IS
It expected that the most eloquent ana
truthful exposition OF the benefits OF s"ch
improvements, is to effect his vote! Inc
nresent session Of Congress has been re-
mark able for the long. and able, and elo-
auent speeches OF its members. Does
any one suppose the result, or the decision
Of the questions in regard to slavery IS
different from what it would have been
had the vote been taken six months ago!
We think not. The time of Congress
has been wasted at an enormous expense
to the people, merely for the purpose OF
.nablinp members to indulge in their love
of debate, to appear conspicuous ana 10
manufacture political fame for themselves.
Every speech made in Congress OF an
hours length costs at least $4,000 OF the
peoples money. During the present
session of the Senate, Col. Jefferson ia
Wis, according to the journal OF that BODY
has spoken eight days, and his speeches.
FIJI "a columns Of the National lntellIgen-
Ger. The time Of Congress thus spent
the reporting Of those speeches-the cost
of their publication. is all taxed up against
the Treasury of the United States
amounting in the aggregate to not less
than 100000. What benefit have those
speeches been TO the country! How ma
nv Of the people have heard or read them
VIVA, interests Of the country have been
promoted thereby!
4 correspondent Of the Philadelphia
Bulletin says: eighteen Senators have oc-
cupied 14l days in delivering 500 col
umns of speeches, and 40 Senators, the
great majority, have occurred but - days
and delivered but 81 columns of speeches
Who will contend that the action OF the
non.spcaking Senators has not been as
beneficial to the country as that of the
casconading orators who have occupied
so much Of the time OF the Senate!
Ample, full and free discussion should
be had by candidates for Congress before
the pcople-,heir opinions upon all ques-
tons of a political character should be
made known to the people-their course
of policy should be candidly and fully ex-
pressed; and when elected they have only
TO carry out by their votes. the policy
which majority Of their constituents
have endorsed by clecting them. The
duty is plain and simple. Action, voting
not long speeches. is what is wanted IN
Congress. Ii is said that neither Wash
incton, Jefferson or Franklin ever made
a speech Of more than 5 minutes IN
length Was not the influence OF their
legislation as beneficial to the country. as
is tina, Of Foote, Davis, lulee. and their
long.winded associates!
But when we commenced this article
we only intended TO give the reader the
c,r. hat