The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-07-07
CONGRESS AND THE COUNTRY.

present Congress is copied from the Charles
ton Mercury, the leading Democratic paper in
South Carolina:
If the Congress OF the United States were
called on to render an account of its stew
ardship for the last six months, it would find
it very difficult task to perform to the salts
faction of the country. We are certainly no
advocate for hasty legislation. 1t generally
marks the selfish and oppressive career Of
party, bloated with power, and eager to make
the best use of its temporary reign. But
while eschewing hasty legislation on the one
hand, we can never stand quietly by, and see
the precious time for useful legislation frt-
tered away in buncombe speeches, while the
great questions of interest to the country are
postponed for still further postponement.-
The people have right to expect some prac.
tical results from months of Congressional
session. They don't want speeches. They
waat 70, see worried done, ia. a way and Of
character which will make them feel that the
Government is good for something. They
want to see those important questions which
concern their immediate and material welfare
promptly dealt with, as becomes representa-
tives boasting of their faithfulness. Judged
by this standard, what has Congress really
done since it met in December last? Nay,
what is it likely to do, before it adjourns! 1t
is proper to run over few of the facts, upon
which we base our observations.
Above all other questions which demanded
the attention and prompt action Of Congress,
there seems to us to have been two, viz the
Tariff and the Post Office. OF the Tariff,
there were many and pressing reasons why
it should engage the earliest and most eff
cient action of Congress. The pledges of
the Democratic party, the recommendations
of the Executive, the high and unequal taxa
ton of the present Tariff, and lastly, the
growing surplus in the Treasury, all point
ed to this question as one of prime impor-
tance. Yet what do we see? After six
months session, the Committee of Ways and
Means in the House finally report a bill,
which though it presents some improvement
upon the Tariff of '46, is far below the wants
and expectations of the country; yet, even
this is to be quietly tabled for another term.
We have seen but one expression of feeling
on the subject, from all quarters, where Demo-
cratic principles are professed, or Free Trade
regarded as great and glorious doctrine
If the Wing party itself, headed by Wing
President held the reigns of power in Con-
grcss, it could scarcely do more in support of
high Tariff and Protection, than is now
done by the most thoroughly Democratic
Government the country has ever seen.-
What we ask, is gained by the triumph of
our principles? What cause is there of con-
graduation Mt the spread of Democratic doc
trines, when the great ideas and hopes which
are bound up with them, are ignored for pet
ty interests and passing expediency! If Free
Trade was one of the clements of the sue
cess of the Democratic party, one of the
truths which, finding response in the intellis
gence and hearts of the people, bore them
into power, the lukewarmness exhibited on
the subject, both by the Administration and
Congress, merits decided reprobation. We
are told that Revenue Tariff is the policy
and pledge of the Government; yet nothing
is done to carry out the one or redeem the
other We are told that an overflowing
Treasury is the fountain of danger and cor
ruption to the Government; yet with sur
plus rolling up by millions, the poluting
waters are still encouraged in their flow
The Tariff proposed by Secretary Guthrie
was the Tariff of '46, with but slight modi-
ficatons. 1t still clung, as for life, to Pro-
lection, that Democratic abominaton.-
1t still Disseminated most unequaly between
different interests and different sections of
the country. So, too, the bill reported by
the Committee involves the same objections.
But we want something to be done, no mat
ter how slight, which will assure us that the
Democratic party is alive, and efficient for the
cause which gave it birth.
A word now on the subject of the Post
Office. The expenses of tho Department
have exceeded its receipts by S2,00O,00O. Its
arrangements have consequently produced
inequality and dissatisfaction, in various quar-
ters of the country. To the South, the ine-
quality has been manifest. The Post Master
General declares, however, his inability to re-
form matters, with such deficiency staring
him in the face. He has applied to Congress
for relief by one of two modes, either an in
crease of postage, or a change in the frank
ing system. And, lastly, these facts, exigen-
cies, complaints and plans have been urged
ably and zealously upon the attention of Con
gress. Yet the subject is quietly dropped,
the Department is left to struggle on as best |
it may, under its embarrassments, and the |
country andoned to the inconvenience of |
radically false and defective system. Such is
the fate of two of the most important ques-
tions, which claimed the efficient action Of |
the Government. We might easily selet |
others, but these will suffice TO illustrate how |
wantonly Congress has, for the last six |
months, trilled with the great interests of the |