The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-12-12
CONGRESS- CHEAP POSTAGE - THE SLAVERY
QUESTION.

1t is not customary for Congress to transact
much business before the holydsys The two or
three weeks intervening between them and the
beginning of the session are generally used up in
the preparation of business Ivy Committees, in
the announcement of deaths that have occurred
during the recess and in adjournments over from
Thursdays or Fridays till Mondays
Thus far the members do not seem disposed to
depart from the beaten track They might do so
without detrment to the country or their own
reputation.
The subject of cheap postage has been discussed
for the last half dozen years. 1t has been repeat
eddy under consideration in Congress Public
Sentiment is decided in favor of reduction and a
uniform rate The whole question is clearly
understood, and members of Congress have, with
few exceptions, made up their minds in regard to
it, The Postmaster Generals report is before
them, and has been or may be read by them ALL
Ii contains the data and recommendations neces-
airy to guide them What further is necessary :
What delay is needed9 Why cannot the whole
subject be taken up and disposed Of forthwith {?
Give us at least reduction of Letter postage, if
nothing else All agree that the rates should be
reduced, and should be uniform. Suppose they
try a bill for the reduction to two cents at once
Those who favor three cents can move an amend
ment, and, without debate, the sense Of Congress
can be taken. IL the amendment prevail, the OBJ
ject is nearly gained, and the friends Of the low
est rate can afford to wait till time shall have
demonstrated that one step more may be taken
with safety. If the amendment fail, then pass
the bill, and by one leap reach final reform.
As to questions about the Franking Privilege,
Postage on Newspapers, &c, they can be taken
up separately and decided each upon its own
merits. Let us have one thing at time and
progress will TO easier and more certain. Give
us uniform low rate OF postage on Letters, and
everything else essential will follow 10 goodtime
Why not, We repeat, act upon the subject and
dispose of it, before the hoydays7 Ii would be a
great popular triumph everybody would spend a
happier Christmas on account Of it,
In relation to the Slavery Question, Congress
has plenty of advisers. The Union threatens
the Tribune goes for postponement Of agitation
the newspapers cry, peace peace and Wash
ingtOn lettcr-writers stand prepared to brand with
odium any memdsr from the North that SHAH
open his mouth on the subject.
For one, we do not wish to see the whole time
Of Congress occupied by any one question. II
has much important business to do, and We hope
It will waste as little breath as possible in doing
It, But he must have strangely mistaken Pub
lie Sentiment, and misunderstood Human Ma
ture, and overlooked the real elements involved
in the Slavery Question, who imagines that it is
to be excluded entirely from the deliberations of
this session Members may feel inclined to re-
main quiet, but the People will not let them.
Their petitions will soon be sent in; they must be
presented, read, respectfully treated and referred
Treat them with contempt, AM you will have
about as much quiet as prevailed during the err
when the rights Of petition and debate were
sought to be destroyed by Patton and Anterior
gags. There are many hundred thousand voters
who believe the Fugitive Law an atrocity and
that it ought to be repealed Some hundreds of
thousands hold that it ought to be essentially
modified. Are these People to be trampled upon
with impunity2 When they speak, shall they
not be heard All these admontions against
agitation might be spared. The Anti-Slvaery
members Of Congress have not generally been OBJ
trusive or preoipita,e in their demonstrations but
they are not to be coaxed or frightened into ST.
lence or passiyity. They know that there is a
time for eyerything-a time to speak, and time
TO be silent-and when they are silent 1t will be,
not from fear of odium or denunciation, not from
any relaxation or change Of purpose In relation to
slavery, but simply because they shall deem it