The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-04-27
TIE ADMINISTRATION AND THE NEXT
CONGRESS.

In the last Congress the non-slaveholding
States sent ninety members friendly TO Pierce,
and fifty-one opposed to him. The Courier Of
New York. commenting on the result of the
Congressional elections in Connecticut and
Rhode Island, which completed the list Of
those elections 10 the Northern States, esti.
mates, that in the next Congress only twenty.
three will have been chosen who are friends
of this administration, while the entire mum.
Der Of opposition members will be found to
be one hundred and sixteen. OF these, many
were elected as members and representatives
of the American party, some as Free Sellers,
others 40 Wings, and some others as Fusion
ists-that is, men elected by fusion Of sew
eral parties in one, for the attainment Of a
victory over some obnoxious candidate.
Beyond all doubt. the Nebraska question
entered very largely into this general contest
for members Of Congress in three States
That it would do so, and that the result would
lie what it has proved, was anticipated from
the onset; for there has never been any doubt
that the sentiment of the North was opposed
to the action Of the last Congress on that
question. But it was not on this question
alone, or mainly, that this wonderful revolu.
ton, upon which the Courier comments, was
affected. The true cause lay farther down,
|
there been no agitation Of or action on the
Missouri compromise question. in the last
Congress, this revolution must have happen
ed at this time and in this way. 1t has been
but the inevitable result of measures well
taken-taken upon principle carefully con-
ceived, firmly carried out, and made opera
tive to the accomplishment of a fixed and
settled design--a design as yet but partially
executed, but still advancing steadily and
surely to its fulfllment.
And now turn we our eyes towards the
Southern States and see what has already
been done, what is doing and what is likely
ly to be done therein, towards giving a com.
plexion to the next Congress. Again we take
the Courier's figures.
We find that only four Of the slaveholding
States have as yet elected Congressional rep
resentatives. to wit: Missouri, South Carolina,
Florida and Arkansas. With the exception
of Missouri, which has elected one admins
tration member to six opposition, they have
chosen entire administration delegations; yet,
though the rest Of the States should elect EN-
tire administration delegations, the House of
Representatives would be decidedly opposi
ton.
But they will not elect administration del
egations; on the contrary, they will contrib.
ute very maternity 10 sWell IHe opposltlou W
the administration. The results Of the ap.
preaching elections in Virginia, in Georgia,
in Kentucky, in Tennessee, and some other
States we might name, will, judging from re
cent and present appearances demonstrate
this fact beyond gainsaying.
Contemplating thus the now we'll assured
fact that the administration of Mr. Pierce
will be in q woful minority, in the popular
branch Of the next Congress, and comparing
his position with what it was but two brief
years ago, the cheering reflection arises that
the people, though generous and trusting
to those who promise to serve them and faith
fully and truly, will, at the same time, hold
them to strict accountability for the man.
ner in which they use or abuse the powers
contided to them. 1t lacked but such an ad-
ministraton as this has proved; imbecile,
time serving, and contradicting every profes-
sion with which it started; to give fresh nerve
and new vigor TO a movement which had its
first impulse ia distrust of existing parties,
of whatever name. Had this administration
realized the hopes that its first professions
inspired, there would not have been 30 much
cause for condolement with it now. But as
it has sown nothing but the wind it can sur
prise no one that it is now reaping only the
whirlwind Orleans PicdWune