The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-09-05

of the taxes levied the peopeshoud be placed at the
control of the Executive In fact most of the time and
boughs of Congress are bestowed the acts public and
private for the appropriation of money and the i'm
ense interests administrative financial end commercial
involved in that subject Superficial observers have their
attention attracted TO these acts towards the close of each
session and noanty suppose that at that time only the
subject occupies the attention of Congress
The same superficial critics of Congress forget that next
to financial subjects the important object of the fede
raj government is the foreign relations of the United States
Congress participates in this subject in variety OF ways
first in sposing the great question OF peace and war in
stead of having left in Europe at the discretion
of the Executive then by constant watchfuness inquiry
and debate concerning foreign relations then by the
Joint action of the Senate the conclusion of every treaty
and finally in making legislative provision for the
ton of treaties which duty devolvcs both houses of
Congress,
Thus much of the time OF Congress AT It's late session
was occupied in the consideration of treaties Of the
legislative which those treaties required The
past eight months have produced numerous treaties with
the Indians and many foreign governments of Europe,
Asia and America, of which, like the Japanese the
Mexican the British and the Russian treaties are great
events not in the history of the United States only but of
the world
The same preudced and ignorant critics of Congress
when they talk of the Nebraska act the only result OF
the session. fail either fooishy malicousy to consider
great number of important acts Of legislation OF mis-
ceaneous character either passed at the last session or
atured preparatory being passed at the next session Of
the present Congress.
truth the public press does much to produce false I'M
pessons concerning the business of Congress- by fixing its
attention chiefly upon external hcs-the fuss and
turmoil of party controversy and the showspeeches made
by the members Of both houses Some European despot
or some servie adulaor of European dcspotsm. may
think better that the whole business of government
should be conducted least thoughts elaborated
in the silent chambers of the head Of some irresponsible
Emperor or King Such is not the thought of any right
minded American. We cherish free speech and free
presshat is public thought in which every citizen be-
ing conscious element of the general sovereignty freely
takes his part without fear of the guone of dporta
ton We cheerfuy accept the abuses of free press
and of free debate rather than lose the nesmable boon
itself and our history fully demonstrates that capa
BILE of maintaining the good in spite of its attendant evil
and still marching along triumphanty in the superna
path Of the greatness and glory Of the American Union
may be that the members of Congress make greater
number of speeches than is quite necessary npon whatever
shall chance up the leading party topic of the
session. but if they do respectfully suggest to the Co
rer as Eats Un that that is less evil than 1t would be
to have one-ha the members slaughter the other half by
judicial murder or to have the whole of them thrust out
of doors by the unreasoning bayonets of consul
President