The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-06-18
NUMBER 8.


erument is correct-notoriously and un-
tdeniaby 50. But we incline TO the
opinion that the reason he assigns for il
is not the true one. Slavery las moth.
ling to do with il. Such was not the
case in The early history OF the republic.
During the twenty years following tho
adoption Of the Constitution, the North
had its due weight in regulating the af,
fairs Of the nation. and this weight was
only impaired by the adoption of the
doctrine OF "rotaton in office " -
Ibeautiul thing in theory, but pernicious
to the last degree in lis practical operas
ton. This heresy has never obtained at
Ithe South, and hence, under a wiser
policy, that section has been steadily in
lcreasing its advantage over us. Our
lpractice has ever been 10 change large
lpoftion of our national legislators with
levery Congressional term. We send
men to Congress eminent for ability aud
learning, but almost always supersede
them before they have acquired that
knowledge of parliamentary usages aud
experience in legislation which are in-
dispensable to all influential position and
large usefulness in that body. Men are
not born legislators, any more than law-
yers or carpenters The ablest and
wisest are powerless in Congress. until
they have bad an opportunity to become
acquainted with the mode of doing bus-
ness and famiiarize themselves with tho
practices of the House. We refer to
@ the popular branch. rather than the Sem
ate, because The tenure of office in the
o latter body is 50 long that member has
+ abundant time to qualify himself for
- efficiency, If he has the requisite talents
:, and aptitude But single term in the
=, House is wholly insufficient for that pur-
# pose. We might specify numerous ms
stances where men of excellent endow-
y, ments and varied requirements have gone
TO Congress, with high expectations and
fine promise, and accomplished nothing
for their constituents or themselves by
- reason Of their lack Of legislative trains
:, ing-their service being confined 10 a
= single term. They were assiduous in
+, their alteLtion to duty-labored earnestly
in the Committee rooms. and omitted no
Ion tn fno Ar.tr ttoto n
70 to their charge upon the consideration of
,d the House but inexperence disabled
10 them from coping with older members
. Of far inferior powers-they were en-
N barrassed by the experiness Of rnen Of
q. adverse views, and always failed to bring
of anything to pass Reelected they might.
II. have taken commanding position, and
n made themselves felt n the body. But
,e. surrounded by others, who ran the same
ar unhappy and useless career, they return
CHI to private life. disappointed and uncom-
40 Portable. and puzzle their heads TO dls>
de cern why it is that sensible men ever
no care to be elec'ed to Congress.
,er Massachusetts III her better days pur-
-. sned no such absurd and suicidal policy.
in. She selected her strong men. and re-
-, turned them to Congress so long as they
ID. were willing to 60. The majority ol
-, her delegation used TO remain unchanged
,,. for many long year. The consequence
,h.. was that her influence in the House wa.
greater than that Of any other State in
:, the Union. Blu. her example was nevel
;, followed to any considerable extent b,
,od another northern State. She saw hel
account in 1t, and we can hardly expires.
-, our surprise that any considerations ol
sectional pique should have induced I
" change. Mr.. ADAMS was continued il
/. The House from short period after h,
.,n left the Presidential chair up TO the hou
.c of his death. JoHs DAVIS, her presen
her '''N'' N"1'o
-. has been in one OF the other wing of ih
Capitol for nearly quarter of a century
Gov. BRIGGs was kept in Congress unit
;, his private affairs constrained himto de
~" cline reelection. The list might b.
~. extended 10 almost any length. but vs.
have named enough to illustrate the ad
r. vantages which Massachusetts has de
rived from repudiating the doctrine c
- rotation in office"
In the southern States the praclic
rare has always prevailed Of keeping faithfi
n Of men in Congress, so long as they coul
inc. be persuaded to stay. Hence the leac
ince ing part which her represent afives ha'
d 10 taken 10 the transaction of the publ
the business. And from what we have sa
eiter Of the disadvantage resulting from il
any experience in legislation, the reader W
and easily perceive what they have gain'
Il in- by adopting and continuing their sysieI
here Men of mediocre intellect, but good ia
Sc il uliies. get 10 be influential and valuat
the members, after a few years servic
con> There can be no indiscretion ia inslau
lie ing, by way of illustration, worthy &c
the ileman, now dead-Gen. MCKAY,
,d,. North Carolina. He came TO Washir