Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-10
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE HOUSE,
STRICT CONSTRUCTION.

in this city. The whole Of that time with the
deduction of two, or, three holidays, invariably
taken, has been occupied in the fruitless effort
to elect Speaker. This is spectacle, which,
at the first aspect, presents no encouraging view
to patriots. 1t would indicate state of things
from which foreign observers, unacquainted
with our peculiar system of government would,
and will draw the most woeful auguries; and
yet, in real point of fact there is nothing in
this continued non-organization of one half
the significance attributed to it by the super
fetal. The fiscal year does not expire until
the 30th of June next. Ample appropriations
to carry on the regular operations of govern
ment until that time, have been made, and
while the failure to organize may produce q
pecuniary pressure in Washington, and elicit
the fnanciering talent of hotel keepers and
members of Congress, its effect upon the gene
raj interests of the country will be, and, is
comparatively unfelt There is, in the elements
of American prosperity, the peculiar feature
of being mainly independent of governmental
action. The veal, or, woe Of individuals-of
connected with tile legislation of the country
than is generally supposed. Bad laws would GER
tainly injure it, but it may well be questioned
whether the failure to pass any laws at all,
would produce half the serious consequences
which seem generally anticipated. 1t is true
that the organization of the house is important,
and, if possible, ought to be effected by any
proper means. No honest and practicable
effort, to accomplish that object, ought to be left
untried. Our whole purpose in the above
suggestions, is simply to relieve women and
children and croakers--three classes of the COM
munty equally entitled to have decisions dis
sipated and relieved, from those terrible ap
prehensions which now threaten their intelects.
We conscentiously assure all such, that in
our deliberate opinion, were Congress not
to organize for the next ninety days, not
one of the people, unless he had a claim
before that body could find out the fact from
any impression upon the country. We also
hesitate not TO aver that neither wheat nor
corn, nor tobacco, nor cotton, nor anything
else which farmers have to sell would be af.
fected one copper in its price. If Congress
will only let alone the great and general inte-
rests of the country, those interests will be
much more apt to prosper than if subject to
the tinkering Of body of gentlemen as ANAL
gamated and discordant as the present House
of Representatives. Entertaining these views,
we cordially approve the resolution of the
Democratic caucus which announces adherence
to their original nomnee-not being of those
who regard organization, at this time as para
mount to all other considerations, nor entirely
satisfied that the non-organization of the House
for while would produce either civil war,
secession, or famine.
But we have another view of this matter to
present, as connected with the Democratic
members 1t is well known that this journal
while uncompromisingly democratic is not yet
the slave, or tool of any set Of politicians
that it adheres to principle and to men only so
long as they adhere to principle. But we can.
not refrain from expressing our admiration at
the noble stand exhibited by the Democracy.
The Northern Democrats stand as firm upon
the platform as the Democrats from Alabama,
or Louisiana. Both stand upon the same great
constitutional principle. Nor is this strange.
The doctrine of the strict construction of the pow
ers of Congress is the ligature, which, stronger
than that binding the Siamese twins, binds to-
pether Northern and Southern Democrats, and
causes similar motives Of patriotism to ami
mate both And to the operation of this saving
principle is to be traced the fact that in every
sectional struggle, the Democracy of the North
have presented a strong element OF conserva-
tism. Let us illustrate. Opposition to slavery,
as an abstract question, is, perhaps, sent
iment with many true Northern Democrats.
They would gladly see it eradicated. They
would perhaps desire to prevent its extension
into the Territories and these gentlemen
can be relied upon to maintain all the rights
Of the South because of the doctrine of strict
construction Under that restraining doctrine,
Democrats, however anxious to prevent the
extension Of slavery, cannot consistently vote
for Wilmot provisoes, or resist the introduction
into the Union Of State because it recognizes
slavery. The doctrine of strict construction
limits the powers Of government, and by thus
limiting, arrests in its incipiency all legislation
tending to array one section against the other.
1t protects each interest from combination of
other interests, and it affords common plat
form upon which all can stand without any
sacrifice of sentiment or feeling in reference TO
abstract questions. While conceding the
greatest latitude of individual speculation and
opinion upon abstract propositions disconnect
ed with legislation, it sternly insists upon a
rigid adherence by all the departments of gov
eminent to the powers granted in the Consti
tuition, and the protection from aggression of all
the rights that that instrument recognizes and
guarantees. To the saving grace"-we use
the phrase in no irreverent spirt--of the prin
cipe of strict construction, is, in our deliberate
judgment, TO be attributed the present exist