The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-30
The Present Congress.

II gratifying 10 contemplate the assembling of the
members who compose Congress. There is no
pompous display called out by the vain and unhnking-
apprehensons excited by the which the de.
postariss of power may comm-no fear Of the dangers
which belong to those forms Of government where the
personal views OF the sovereign often potent
than the highest interests OF the county The American
legislator approaches his constitutional duty with no other
desire than that OF carrying into execution the wishes Of
the people from whom he derives his chart OF action and
without whose support and appreciation he feels that he
has no claim to public respect He is in fact nothing but
the servant OF the people, and he reach to no honor
distinction but by service which connects him useully
with the steady Improvement OF his country in the
OF its social intercourse, and in the development, OF s
genius and laws There may be agations in this coun.
Try as IN others but whilst IN others they constantly
cle and often produce organic changes in the structure of
society which marked by revolution and civil war; i,
is blessing thus far have witnessed none that inter
Tupt the confidence with which we repose upon the su
premacy OF the laws and the love of order which dsarms
all difference OF opinion OF the power render any
established right remarkable exemplihcaon OF this
feature in the energies OF public opinion has been af
forded by the excitement growing out OF the
adjusting the slavery and territorial questions. AT one
period feared that the bonds OF our Union would
be snapped asunder by The repuslon existing between
opinion al the North and opinion at the South the
subject Of slavery but the voice OF the people has inter
posed and made this apparent exception 10 the harmony
OF our political prospect only new occasion for verify
ing the safety with which our institutions repose the
popular virtue and intelligence. Excitement, on this sub
iect has in weakened The faith OF our country
in The wisdom OF fathers, who felt il safer refer
inevitable diverses in system 10 the jealous care Of
State sovereignty, than 10 ha,.pnneple OF consolidation
which would have brought them under the control OF the
the sphere Of the sovereignty which has been deega
ted BY the States, The question OF slavery has exered
powerful agency in fostering the spirit of Cancellation and
pa'riosm and, instead OF destroying Union we may
now entertain the hope that il is destined to constitute
new motive for the cultivation Of those fraternal afec.
lions which essential TO The onward progress, OF our
country.
We congratulate especially the democratic portion Of
congress on the noble part they have acted in the discus
mons OF the past year The imposing spectacle of their
presence m the Capitol Of the republic is associated with
nons which can create doubt as 10 the good effect Of
ne dehoera'ions on the future welfare of the country
'uded oy doctrines which as ancient as the govern
ment was not new 10 them 10 take such par, in the
recent excfemens as would restrain the tendency To
overnctIon, whe'her IN guarding the South against I'M
just ASSAULT or in rebusng the spirit at the North Of a
lawless disregard Of constitutional compac- The same
doctrines have often saved in times past and never
before have they attracted their disciples with more
anmang assurance Of their adaptation to the wants Of