Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1855-12-06
Gribune 4 Gflfgfpb.
THURSDAY, DEcEMBER 9Th, 1855
CONGRESS.
KENOSHA, WIS.

CoIS01s6JsS.
This body assembled on Monday last. The
House was called to order by the Clerk, Mr.. For
ney, and 225 members answered TO their names.
An effort was made to elect Speaker, but moth
ing was accomplished The first ballot showed
that number of candidates were looking for the
position. At the present writing, Tuesday eve-
ning,) we ars still without news of tho organixa-
ton of the House. We had little hopes of re-
ceiving the Presidents Message in time to lay il
certain that we shall not. H 9d
We look to the action of Congress, during this
session, with no small degree of interest. Al
though we cannat xpect much, here at the North,
still there are questions that will come up this
winter, that have a direct bearing upon the sub
jects that have become paramount in this great
confederation of States--Freedom and Slavery
The present Executive, with large majority
of the Senate, are committed and will act in uni
son for the interes:s-the extension and strength
ening-of the latter, while the small majority in
The House, in favor Of Free Principles, viii be
thus prevented from making any positive adyan-
ces for the cause of Freedom. Still they have
the power, and We doubt not they will use it, to
exert a negative inducnce-they can prevent the
passage of measures for the extension or further
encroachment OF the Slave Power
Kansas matters will occupy prominent posi-
ton before the National Legislature. The infa-
nous laws that have been enacted by the mob
Legislature. will come up for approval or condem-
nation-the contestants for the Delegateship,
Gov Recdcr and Mr.. Whitfield, will DO there
and the question, who is the legal Representa-
tive of the people of Kansas, is to be settled
the Free State men have met in Convention and
framed and adopted a State Constitution, and
will be asking for admission into the Union, on
the strength of it; and this will be question of
no small Importance The special advocates of
'Squatter Sovereignty, will undoubtedly object
to this phase Of their pet measure and we can
hardly hope that Kansas will be admitted with
Constitution excluding Slavery, by this Con-
grcss; still, we can see no reason why, if they
acted in good faith in reference to the principle
they should object 10 It's admission with the pres
ent constitution; nor how they can, with any
show Of propriety or consistency. On the dccis
ion of these questions; rests in great measure
the fate Of the hopes of the Slavery propagand
lists They hoped the invention of the plausible
principle of "Squatter Sovereignty" was to ac-
complish their ends, that failing, they have re-
sorted to another, and still more questionable
one-that of Border Ruffanism, how far this
latter will be sanctioned or submitted 10, by the
free people, remains to be seen.
The question of restoring the Missouri Com
promise will probably be brought up. but there
is no prospect its being done. A large majority
of the Senate will oppose the measure, and even
should it get through both Houses, President
Pierce would, undoubtedly refuse it his sane
ton. .a
The question of appropriations for the I'm
provement of Harbors and Rivers, anywhere
| north of Mason & D:xon's limo, we think will
not be raised The veto of the President 10 so
certain, upon any such measure, that it would
he bat useless waste of time and labor to
| get bill of the kind through Congress. The
enormous and constantly increasing commerce
of this vast clain of Lakes, is matter Of TOO III
tie moment to be considered by President Pierce.
What though thousands ofpropersy and handreds
of lives are yearly sacrificed, for the want of
these improvement Though millions of the
public treasure are lying idle, locked up in vaults,
lives and property had better be sacrificed tlsn
that what one man is pleased to consider dem
ocratic principle O. should be sacrificed. This
is the principle that has thus far guided this ad-
ministration. and probably will continue to, TO
the end.
| All thing, considered, we look for . very un-
profitable session, in national point of view;
and if anything, worthy of the nation, is accom- :
plishod, wo shall be agreeably disappointed