American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-12-04
CONGRESS-.

III IL" "ayS. ALREADY IS the note OF
preparation heard. The people of the
Metropolis WHO spend the Congression-
al vacation IN idlcness are preparing
themselves for that activity which the
assembling Of the National Legislature
always imparts to Washington city
And not only there, but throughout the
country is the ham of preparation heard.
Grave Senators are packing W their
NaoI.Incnts and documents, and mem
bers OF the lower branch are preparing
their private business, so that it will
not require their aid for months. Nor
are Congressman alone in this prcpar-
alton. In every State there is an army
81 log rollers, contractors and spec
| uiators, with their eyes upon the Fed
eral city, getting themselves in readi-
ness FOR the next session Of Congress.
And-truth requires the declaration
hundreds Of confessed CANDLES, known
thieves, and shameless women, are pre-
pairing for the harvest which winter
in Washington always brings. In
few days all will be on the go, and the
iron horse will groan under the heavy
loads he is doomed to bear to the Ma.
tional Capital.
The meeting ola new Congress ought
, to nc an important event in the history
OF the country. We are q nation of
! twcnty-tour millions, free people, and
/. into tho hands Of that Congress are
submitted, for the time being, all our
power. 10 those gentlemen who arc
: entitled to the flourish of an NJ. G.. as
an aflix, or an Hon" as n prefix to
their names, are entrusted all the in
terests Of this greatand growing nation;
and III them ought to be exhibited that
wisdom, virtue, intelligence, and patri-
otism, which is the very life of freedom.
But is it so? Of those who will occupy
honorcd seats in the Senate Chamber,
how few, alas! possess the ability, in,
+ tegrity, and intellect, the grave rcspon-
slbilhy Of the position demands. We
scan the roll and We find few, but very
few, who can claim credit for life of
! virtue and wisdom.
. Oi the House, not one in ten Of its
members, freshly chosen from the pco-
pie, have been selected for the excel
leney OF their personal qualities or in
dlyldual merit. Take the run of the
States, and low political trickcry, or IA
degraded cunning, has had more to Ito
with the selection of candidates for
= Congress, than that higher and emo
bling motive which should always ami
mate free people. And in Senate
and House, We find that the best talent.
the bri ghtest intelccts, and the most
thoroughly trained minds are devoted
more TO partizan triumph, than the
peace, tranquility, and prosperity of
the country, and consequent happiness
OF the people. Such arc the naked and
startling facts presented, when we ex-
anime the elements of which tho next
Congress is composed. ST..
What, then, are we to expect from
Congress, surrounded as it will be by
an army Of plundcrers, political free
hooters, who will go up from every part
Of the nation ? Why this The first
business which willattrnct the attention
! Of the honorables, will be distribu.
ton Of the spoils. OF these, the Offices
/ to be confirmed arc but rhto in the
! pile. There will be hundreds of bank
rupt politicians, Or slick and greedy
/ supporters Of this or that party, whose
demands must be propitiatcd. What
they want 10 the public money and they
will have it, whether it comes in share
OF salary, fees, contracts, or direct plum.
der. They are the men Of political
influence the present day, the men who
concoct the schemes Of partnership,
and manufacture al thoso dcccptions
which allure the citizen into impropcr
voting. They are monsters of vice,
corrupt dcbauchees, and nothing but a
national treasury, with an oycrrunnion
surplus, can supply their demands
Congress must and will first attend to
their wants, for, disgraceful as it is,
that is the most important business, !
individually, to the largest portion of
our CoDgrcssmen. That done, and
metropolitan life is yiyifcd, and as
sunes its wonted gayety.
Secondly, comes the struggle Of par
tisanshlp in the halls Of Congress. Not !
a struggle for ascendency there, for |
that has been already decided; but the |
triumph Of such measures as shall Sc.
cure partisan support among tho people.
These measures arc never honest. Like !