Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-04-12
MISCELLANY.
tFrom Putnam's Monthly. April. ]
rHE REAL QUESTION.

The recent exciting and proiracied contest,
as 10 the organization of Congress, was signi.
fcant, in more respects than one. 1t was a
topical symptom of a general state, showing a
large amount of arrangement, and YET a ten
dency TO recuperation.
We saw the representatives Of the people
brought 10 a complete deadlock by the an,ae-
onism of parties, each pulling a different way
with no one strong enough to prevail, and no
Two seemingly ready 10 coalesce. For two
months, nearly, the usual course Of legislation
was suspended on the settlement of a prelim-
mary dispute as to the Speakership. Yet the
House of Representatives was never more irn-
ly representative than 10 this temporary psral-
ysis of its functions; for the whole nation is
in pretty nearly the same predicameni. It's
politics are decussated, il we may use the ex-
preston, not by wel-dehned parties, but BY
numerous opposing factions. Their conflicts,
but for the seriousness of the subjects involved.
would exhibit as droll spectacle as Marryalt
describes in his triangular duel The Repub-
licans, taking pistol in either hand, fire away
at the Democrats and the Americans the
Americans, doing the same, FIRE. at the Repnb-
licans and the Democrats while the Demo
Gratis, again, discharge their pieces at the
Americans and the Republicans. Everybody
shoots at everybody else; and everybody, let
him aim in whatever direction he WILL is sure
to aim al an enemy, who is also aiming at him,
thus rendering the exposure equal, and the
chances of sudden disaster somewhat even. -
1t was evident, however, during the struggle
in the House, in spite Of the seeming and su-
per6cial differences OF opinion among the sew
eral factions, that there was, radically, but
single issue. Each member felt, as he gave
his vote for this or that candidate, though he
was not always ready TO ayow it, that the turn
ing-point of all was, the question of slavery
All the other questions, which NAV have OPP
Grated in forming little knots Of voters, were
incidental, or aside, like the small eddes which
whrl about in the very current of the principal
vortex. Banks and Aiken were the leaders Of
the hosts between which the real battle was
fought, while they who shouted for Fuller,
Zollikoffer, and what not, were OILY deserters
from The main ranks, or camp-fOllowels and
marplots.
Nor were leaders ever chosen with more in
siinciive wisdom, considering the peculiarly of
their relations TO this predominant issue. Mr..
Banks was a man of the people, who had ris-
en- by his own efforts from an humble mechan-
cal occupation to a high political office while
Mr. Aiken was stakeholder, one Of the
wealihiest of his class, endowed with all the
better qualities Of that class, and as sincere as
he was strong in his geographical convictions.
Mr.. Banks represented the stale of Massachu-
setis-itself The best example Of free cond-
tion Of society 10 be found on the face Of the
earth while Mr.. Aiken represented South
Carolina-long disiing as the ables, ex-
ponenl of both the opinions and the influences
Of the slaye-ciyilizaiion. In these, their cham
pions, therefore, the two social systems of the
North and South were piited against each 9th
er, and. for the frs. time so openly and direct
ly, in the history Of our national existence.
In the same way, the nation, in the midst of
the parties and agiialions by which it is dis
lraeied, recognizes the fundamental and vital
question to be that Of slavery. Wink il out
Of sight as we may or complicate it as we
may, il can not be disguised, that slavery is the
single real element of party divisions. Open
y or secretly, it controls The action Of all par
ties. They come together, as in the case Of
The Americans, for other ostensible purposes
but before they separate, are fercely at logger
heads about this matter, Every ancient party
organization has been sandcred by it, and their
members, in forming new party ties, are al
most exclusively controlled by il. The first
condition they enact, before joining any body
is, tina, it should think thus and so of the slave
ry question.