Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-08-12

SCoSioli
of the thirty third Congress will close to-day ana u
is natural to ask whether the wholesale charges o.
mbecility and ineficeney, which have been mace
against it by many journals North and South, are
correct or whether the other hand, this session
has been active and energetic, and marked by acts
which entitle it to the admiration and gratitude OF
the American people. - ~
The legitimate objects of our federal legislation are
comparatively so few that the history OF its proceed
ings for any term should never be expected to pre-
sent that imposing record of acts, which would fo
low the adjournment of the Supreme Leglslatlve
body ofa country one-tenth the size OF this out dl
fercntly organized yet will find on brief resume
of the principal bills passed during the session, an
amount of labor performed, which few of its prede-
cessors have equalled, not to say excelled.
The mere reorganization is all that our space al
lows us, and must confine ourselves to these
measures, which will be found of the greatest ma
, tional-benefit.
Among the earliest acts of the session, a
cogntion of the propriety of the conduct of Capt.
Ingraham, and consequent assumption OF the prln-
ciples by which he governed.
As is well KNOWN the precise rights and prlvIle-
ges of inchoate citizenship had never been settled
1t cognate question which occasIoned the late
war with Great Britain and the treaty of Client left
the question just where found it. and although true
that the appreciation of the conduct of Capt lngra-
ham cannot be considered as an official declaration
of law the mpressment question, 1t IS the Tecog-
milton of principle, which leaves doubt to the
course of the country, should England ever revive
the odious law referred to-
In the next place, the hauSaS-INeOIashd oiLl was
passed. introducing into the organized area of the
country two large and important territories and pro-
claiming for the first time in 40 years, the equal
rights of the North and South.
Of this it is needless to speak. 1t is triumph OF
justice such as this country has rarely seen, and
was fitting prelude to that greater measure, the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise We question
seriously whether the most hopeful and farseeing
statesmen of the Congress of 40 and5O ever dream
ed that compromise, the work of Northern men,
yet appealed to in their extremity by the most ultra
of the South measure spoken OF by one portion OF
the country triumph for freedom, and by the
other and the weaker, as an outrage, but by both
upheld as final adjustment which must be sustain
ed that such measure hallowed too by thirty -four
years of peaceful acquiescence could at one blow be
swept from the statute book Yet such was the
case.
Measures have been passed in pursuance of the
of the able Secretary of the Navy
for the increase of that important arm OF the nation
al defence and the augmentation OF Its efhclency, as
we'll that of the army. These measures are earn
asty demanded by the critical condition of affairs in
Europe and by the continually increasing informing
ing of foreign nations with the policy of this CONT
lent.
A Mexican treaty has been signed, not only secur-
ng to us a vast area of territory but relieving the
country of the most vexatious and perfectly mprac
icable obligation ever entered into by nation to
mother.
Earnest, and, it is to be hoped effectual attempts
lave been made to settle amicably and tavoraby to
,ur interests the annoying " Cuban question:
Dad of difficulties the sweepings of the last half
loZen administrations centre here, and the country,
Congress and the Executive think it high time that
he subject should be placed on some definite basl S.
Numerous acts have. been passed and appropra-
ions made to subserve the interests of commerce,
nd the general domestic relations of the country
Nor has the Executive been idle-the One Man
POWER, that horrd bug-a-boo wherewth asthmatc
Vhig bcldames attempt to brighten children, when
yer a Democratic President dares to exercise the
cto privilege. Animated by mistaken philan-
in, aincton apHca sfip NAL ntarn in
other, Congress passed two bills in the face of De-
locratc theory. Both promptly met with
residential vctoes, andsthe River and Han Dor Bill
18th the Insane confrere consigned to the tomb
The above few of the acts of Government
uring the past eight months and we challenge COM
arison with the deeds of any other Legislature for
venty years. Having added largely TO the extent
F our organized arca-having settled it is to be
oped detinitivey various questions of foreign and
omestic policy, and having taken steps for the
1ry of the nation, against the evils of without
reparation the SD Congress deserves we'll of its
'untry. Petersburg Democrdt