Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-20
THE AssEMnLING OF CONGRESS-.

4
The meeting of Congress is looked to with
much anxiety. 1t is new Congress. The
members come fresh from the people, and will,
it is to be supposed, bring with them the warm
impulses. the present impressions, and existing
feelings of the people.
Several circumstances conspire to lend I'M
wonted interest to the incoming Congress. 1t
IS the first Congress since the new administra-
ton came into power, and on its action will
depend the success of that administration
The first appeal of an administration is to the
representatives of the people; the last appeal
is to the people themselves. The government
fair trial, where nothing is concealed, nothing
withheld, nothing deceptively palmed off or
insdiously and secretly slipt through-such a
government may unhesitatingly be said to en-
joy the respect, the confidence, and the abso
lutte approval of the nation.
Another circumstance in addition to the one
already named, is that since the adjournment
of Congress, events have occurred in the State
VI I've" 1 oih liiie hdNS SiCutCu uiNlSlOH III Tic
ranks of those who aided in the election of
President Pierce. Local at irst--and local it
should have been altogether-by mismanage-
rnent, by officious intermeding, by rude and
reign State, committed by the head of the Treas
ury Department, national character has been
impaired to this feud. Where all was calm,
peaceful, and tranquil, a few weeks since we
now see anger, i'll will, dissension. Discomfort
pervades the country. The little cloud has
spread until it covers the political heavens. The
discontents that were at first confined to New
York, have gained access to every State. The
administration is implicated in them. The
States are all implicated in them. The people
everywhere in the country have taken part in
them. Congress, no doubt, will be implicated
in like manner.
1t is shameful, it is objectionable, that Mr..
Guthrie, the head Of one of the most important
departments of the government should, when
there was nothing to mar the general harmony
when the most violent opponent dared not as
sail the administration-when strong Gin the
/ confidence and affections, not alone of the dem
ocratic party, but Of the whole American PEG
ple-by imprudence, by offciousness, have thus
embroiled the country in contest, the end o.
which no man can see.
About the principles on which the Presiden
was elected there is no controversy In regard
to the policy indicated in his inaugural there
is no difference of opinion. 1t is only the i'm
proper interference ola department of the fed
eral government with purely local contest
and the disastrous consequences of that inter
ference, that now disturb and agitate the coun
try.
We are told of blooming paradise converted
by serpent into blasted desert. We are
told of an island, which, from being the scene
of contentment and happiness, was by a bold
bad man, changed into scene of desolation
and wo. .,
!. Such change has Mr.. Guthrie wrought in
the party to which he belongs. He has intro
duced discord where there was agreement. He
aroused bad feeling where there was uninter
rupted good feeling. He has excited condem
nation where nothing but praise was heard be
fore-and all with what view, and to wha
end? To give office to Enthusiastically t.
the Van Burons, and to @crush OUT the sounC
constitutional democrats of New York.
What will come of this objectionable con
duct of Mr.. Guthrie, we cannot tell The end
is hidden from us. .....