San Andreas independent., 1857-12-12
The Present Congress.

session of the Both Congress. The peo-
pie will look with considerable interest to
the action of that body, as many questions
of an important and agitating nature are
certain to come before it, and issues will
spring up, upon which there will be a
diversity of opinion. Indeed, it is very
doubtful whether there has been, for a
number OF years, session of so much i'm
portance and interest as the present is
likely to exhibit Kansas will evidently
knock at the doors of Congress for admis-
sion into the Union as one of the Confed-
eration-as another star added to our Ma
tlonal Banner, and forming one more to
our glorious galaxy of States. The Democ-
racy have the Executive and both branches
of Congress-the Kansas Nebraska bill,
by which the two were formed into terri
torial governments, was a favorite meas
ure of that party; and as Kansas will
evidently apply for admission as a free
State, the Republicans cannot consistently
oppose it, and under those circumstances
every person would naturally suppose that
no opposition would be made to her ad-
mission into the Union-and such would
evidently be the case, could any reliance
be placed upon politicians But as this
class of persons, of late years, are notori-
ously inconsistent in almost everything
save self-interest- is impossible for any
one to foresec what course they will pur-
sue upon a question which has created SO
much excitement, virulence and animosity
as Kansas has already done. 1t is also
probable that Minnesota in the northwest
and Oregon on the Pacific coast, will both
apply for admission, and if so, it is likely
they will be admitted quietly, without
opposition, ostentation or display.
But matter is to be settled of still
greater importance-the Utah or Mormon
question. Viewed in any light whatever,
1t presents phase extremely intricate
and complicated, and may we'll be looked
upon as the gordion-knot" for Ameri
cans to unite. If the late news from that
territory should prove true and battle
has been fought-war already exists-the
sword has severed the knot, and Congress
Will have but one course to pursue, viz:
to provide means to prosecute the war
with vigor and bring it to successful
conclusion. But should the Latter Day
Saints, by any possibility, fall back from
their staggering and braggadocio position,
not modest the United States expedition,
but suffer it to enter their territory unmo
Tested, then the course to be pursued by
Congress will be more difficult. A null
titude of ways will undoubtedly be sug-
gested-some conciliatory and some other
wise-while the knotty question itself,
instead of being united, will, perhaps,
only become more intricate and present
greater difficulties in the way of solution.
Taking human nature as it is found to
exist and known to be, the easiest and
spcediest way of bringing such matters to
final conclusion, is to let the sword and
bayonet do their work.
The present tariff will likewise come
up for remodeling, and in connection with
the present financial condition of the coun-
try and the great difference of opinion
existing in the minds of statesmen, public
men and private citizens, upon the tariff
question; the principles of free-tradc, rev.
enue and protective tariffs will be dis
cussed in all their various bearings. There
is evidently strong feeling in certain
portions OF the country, in favcr of pro-
tective tariff, and Notwithstanding the
supremacy of the administration party
and their known proclivities in favor of
free trade principles, the result is not so
evident, as there are a large number of
cold line wings now acting with the
democratic party-and some of them hold
ing seats in Congress-and it is presum-
able that they still adhere to the to the
" American policy of Henry Clay Be
sides, the north and west have always
been favorable to protection, and when
the question comes directly before Con-
gress, taking into consideration the times,
the necessity of something being done,
and the desire to do it-there is no know
ing what policy may be adopted in these
days of political tergiversations. Some
thing may also be attempted in relation
to the currency. of the country-hard
money against banks and paper money
Upon the whole, the action of the present
Congress will be watched by the people
with no small degree of interest, on ac-
count of the equestions of importance which
will necessarily come before it for action.