Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-05-07
our DeIegatlon in congresa.

We rather look for attacks upon our Congressional
delegation coming from the opposition press this is
natural But really some of these attacks rather
puerie One of the objections made is that they don't
talk enough Indeed that would appear to be the main
objection If half the people of this or any other State
could only have the opportunity to watch political move
ments at Washington little whileto for themselves
how the cat jumps, they would know what all this
mounts to-they would know that nineteentwentieths
of all the talking listened to nor expected to be
listened to in Congress that it is only in
tended for home consumption, and, for all le-
gislative purposes, might well be delivered upon
any stump in the members own district We recoLect
once when we happened to be in Washington City,
being struck with one of the peculiar arrangements in
the shape of evening sessions for the letting off of steam
or gas 1t was an understanding that business should
be done at these semiofcia meetings the
order Of the day. or rather night. 1t though the
House had resolved itself into spouting club. Much
eloquence got off, got into the Congressional Globe
or Appendx-got before the constituents of the gen.
emen of the spoutng club and the real business was
neither advanced nor retarded Our members of all
parties seemed to have genuine North Carolina
tempt for such things.
But if it is to be inferred that because representa-
tives not always making noise, they therefore
without their due weight and influence or fail to con-
tribute their full part to the legislation of the country
and the real business OF both houses very grave mis-
take will be made The real criterion of the standing
and power of representative of any body else the
position assigned him by his compeers judged by what
he can do. Any of even common ability can COM
pile pretty snowy speech upon any of the leading
questions of the day The points have all been stated
half hundred times 1t is when thing is to be done
"a position of responsibility filled, that the real bust
Kansas investigating committee, of which Mr., Winsow
was member, or of other important business matters
upon which others of our delegates have been employed
Considering the avalanche of words that is poured
upon the countrybearng in mind the fact that inter-
mnabe talking is the great obstacle to useful legislation
and the prompt and efficient despatch of necessary bu
siness cannot but think that avoidance of Bun
combe oratory is Il mark of sound judgment-a ground
for praise rather than blame. Our members have spo
ken, and always upon some matter with which they felt
themselves eharged-upon which they had something to
say, and upon which they could and did speak to the
point.
We not in the habit of indugng in ulsome praise
or of using sonorous explosives, but must say il all
honesty and sincerity that North Carolina has every
right to feel proud of her Congressional Delegation and
would have more if Mr.. Gimer would follow the true
lead of his preudices which enable the enemies of the
South to miSead him, and him occasionally to
cupy false and somewhat ridiculous positions.