Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-07-12
CONGRESS AND THE COUNTRY.

ocratic men mainly on account of their broad
assertions that they were right because "all the
world is democratic" reflect for a moment and
see ifthe "emoluments of Office" does not seem
to be the first principle ofthe present democrat
| ic Congress:
Ifthe Congress of the United States were call
ed on to render an account of it's stewardship
! for the last six months, it would find it very
difficult task to perform to the satisfaction of the
country. We are certainly no advocates for
hasty legislation. 1t generally marks The selfish
andoppressive career of party, bloated with pow
err and eager to make the best use of its tempo
rary reign. But while eschewing hasty legisla-
ton on the hand, we can never stand quietly by.
and see the precious time for useful legislation
| frittered away in buncombe speeches, while the
great question of interest to the country are
postponed for still further postponement The
people have right to expect some practical re-
suits from months Of Congressional session.
They don't want speeches. They want to see
work done, in q way and of character which will
make them feel that the Governments good for
something. They want to see those important
questions which concern their immediate and
material welfare promptly dealt with, as become
representatives boasting of their faithfulness-
Judged by this standard what has Congress re-
ally done since it met in December last? Nay,
what is it likely to do before it adiourns? 1t is
proper to run over few of the facts, pom 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 Tar
if and the Post-ofice. OF the Tariff, there
are many and pressing reasons why itshould en-
gage the earlieSta land most efficientacton of Con-
gress. The pledges of the Democratic party,
the recommendations of the Executive, the high
and unequal taxation of the present Tariff, and
lastly, the growing surplus in the Treasury, all
pointed to this question as one of prime import
ance. Yet, what do we see? After six months
session, the Committee of Ways and Means in
the House finally report bill, which though it
presents some improvement upon the Tariff of
the countryj yet even this is to be quietly tabled
for another term. We have seen but one ex-
preston of feeling on the subject, from all
quarters, where Democratic principles are pro
fessed, or Free Trade regarded as great and
glorious doctrine If the Wing party itself,
headed by Wing President, held the leigns of
power in Congress, it could scarcely do more in
support Of a high Tariff for 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 princi-
pies? What cause is there for congratulation at
the spread of the Democratic doctrines, when
the great ideas and hopes which are bound up
with them, are ignored for petty interests and
passing expediency? If Free Trade was one of
the elements Of the success of the Democratic
party one Of the truths which, finding response
in the intelligence 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 a Revenue Tariff is the policy and
pledge ofthe Government,yet nothing is doneto
carry out the one or redeem the other: We are
told that an overfow;ng Treasury is the fountain
of danger and corruption to the Government;yet
with surplus rolling up by millions, the pollu-
ting waters are still encouraged in their flow
The Tariff proposed by Secretary Guthrie, was
the Tariff Of '46,swith but slight notifications.
1t still clung, for ife the Protection, that an
Ii Democratic abomination. 1t still dscrimina-
ted most unequally 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 matter how slight, which will assure us
that the Democratic party is alive, and efficient
for the cause what gave it birth.
A word now on the subject on the Post Office
The expenses of the Department have exceeded
its receipts by 100000. It's arrangements
have consequently produced inequality and dis.
satisfaction, in various quarters of the country
To the South, the inequality has been manifest
The Post Master General declares, however, his
inability to reform matters, with such def
cheney staring him in the face. He has applied
to Congress for relefby one oftwo modes, eth
er an increase of postage, or change in the
franking system. And, lastly, these facts, ext
gencies, complaints and plans lave 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 endorsements, and the country aban.
doned to the inconveniences of ridicaly false
and defective system. Such is the fate of two
of the most important questions, which claimed
the efficient action of the Government We
might easily select others but these will suffice
to illustrate how wantonly Congress has, for the
last six months, trifed with the great interests
of the country.
RAsCALIrY IN SILKs.-In an action recently
tried by the Court of Common Pleas, in London
England, it transpired that there is custom in
the silk trade of what is called topping which
means that the outer ends of pieces of silk are |
frequently made of a better quality than the |
interior. After the publicity given to this mode