The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-11
From the Washington Union Of February 10

"The Republic continues to assail the House of
Representatives with unbecoming abuse. But
its venom is harmless because it's motives are ap-
parent. It's aectation of patriotism is too trans-
parent to deceive any one, and will not suffice to
hide the selfish and partisan feelings which pre-
scribe its conduct in this particular That jour.
nal desires to assaii Democratic Congress and
individual members of the Democratic party. It
does not wish to expedite public business in or
der to further the public interests but in order to
expedite some selfish purpose of its own. No
one, zoe believe really doubts the propriety of defeat
ing unconstitutional and improper measures by de-
lay, leading to their abandonment. Both parties
have resorted to such line of action, even when
no constitutional question was involved and the
attempt the Republic makes to inculcate the idea
that the Wing party always submits to majority,
without resorting to movements intended to pro-
duce delay, cannot be sustained by an appeal to
facts Itis as ridiculous the claim that the Whg
party has in it's ranks all the talents and all the de-
cency of the country. If the Democratic members of
Congress haze resorted to motions to adjourn more
frequently than the WAigs haze, the explanation
may be found in the fact that the Whig party does
not respect the limitations Of the Constitut;on The
WING party is the plander party-the party of
clafs Legislation and special priviIeges-and its
nnent Of Improper and unconstitutional legisla-
tion rather than to the prevention of improper
and unconstitutional legislation by producing de-
lag We do not justify factious opposition
{ to the majority, nor do we think that mem.
bers of Congress are not amenable to public
opinion; but we cannot sit tamelY and see hon.
orable men ridiculed and abused by sheet
6 like the Republic, which, having no character
of it's own, seems reckless as to the good fame of
others. We have but little doubt that the Repub,
he's patriotic indignation at the delay of the pub
lie business is prod by tender regard for some
fauorie bill (Which il fears may not be passed
through at this sessi01. We know of one bill
8 which appropriates large amount of money,
and is urged with fierce zeal by persons who are
8 on intimate and confidential terms with the Re-
8 public We rather suspect that the Administra-
ton organ finds that its occupation is drawing
rapidly to a close, and that it must needs i'm.
prove the present moment to the utmost That
is the reason it regards motion to adjourn or a
call of the ayes and noes as graver offences than
sympathizing with the public enemy in time of
war. The Republic is a speculation, and the last
days of the speculation draw near. Time is vail
uable for but little time is left for spoaton bill
and plumber appropriations.
We assure our contemporary that the occu-
patton of the Republic will not close till the
Union and its friends turn honest. So much
for ourselves.
A few words now for the DEMOCRATIC ma
jorities in Congress. We learn from the Vine
Almanac that in the Senate there are t,centu-
three Wines. thirty-sir DEMOCRATS, and three
Freesoilers. The three Senators last named
are CHASE, SUMNER, and Hale, all Demo
Gratis. This gives Freesoil and Democratic
majority of NINETEEN votes.
In the House there are eighty eight Wines,
one hundred and forty DEMOCRATS, and 5ive
distinctive Freesoilers, whom we will throw
out of the account. This statement gives
DEMOCRATIC majority Of FIFrY-Two, of which
the Union has frequently boasted. Such is the
political construction of the two Houses of
Congress.
In the light of these facts, let US examine
the logic of the above article from the Union,
which confesses and defends the conduct of
those DEMOCRATIC members of Congress whom
we have arraigned for raising irregular and
factious obstacles to the transaction of the pub
lie business,
The Union goes into the thorough defence
of these factious individuals-men who are as
much condemned by the patriotic and intelli
gent statesmen of the DEMOCRATIC party, as
they are by the Wines. The Union aba,,dons
the DEMocRATIc party, and adopts the cause
of the factionists.
In the first place, it argues the propriety of
defeating Unconstitutional and improper mea-
sures by delay" This is very general pro-
position, not necessary to discuss. But how
does the Union apply it2 What does our
contemporary mean?
He means to say that there are 'improper
and unconstitutional measures" on the SPEAK
ER's table, which Messrs McMULLEN, ORR,
DEAN, and LETcHER, are seeking to defeat
not by votes, but by esdelay leading to their
abandonment
We understand that the mass of the business
on the SPEAKER's table consists of Senate bills,
many of which have been there since April
last, though the SPEAKER himself has informed
the country that the custom formerly was
to clear the Speakers table eve'y day, and