Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-06-26

Close Of the First Session OF the Thirty
| Fifth Congress.
The FIRST session of the Thirty Fifth Con-
gress closed % Monday al six o'clock ii Tie
afternoon. Something more than six
!; months have been employed in the session,
and a large amount Of business has been
transacted, Though the time occupied by
the national legislature has been somewhat
less than usual it is believed that the two
branches have been more hours actually
employed than at any corresponding session
since the organization Of the government.
The propriety Of fixing any early day Of
adjournment is seen in the shorter period
! of time which the two houses have required
for the prompt and complete discharge of
the great business Of the country.
The reform instituted by the President.
in requiring that the leading appropriation
|-bills should be presented to him at least two
days before the adjournment, is seen to be
one OF great practical value. Heretofore
1t has been the custom of Congress to put
OF those bills to the last moment, thus prac-
tlcally depriving the President of the pow
er to investigate their nature and the extent
OF the means appropriated to any given
branch Of the public service, rendering it
Impossible, in point Of fact, for the Execu-
tive to discharge the high duties devolyed
upon him in this regard by the Constitution.
Those who framed the organic law thought
it proper to direct that bills proposing the
expenditure Of public money should origi-
nate in the House of Representatives impo-
sing upon the President the duty of exam
lining into their merits, and comforting up
on him the general power Of the veto -
The exercise of these functions demands
time and sound reflection. They are pre-
eminently acts Of great discretion, and can
be performed only after mature considers
tion Of the measures proposed for the Pres
idents sanction or veto. We cannot, then
toverstate the benefits and advantages which
are to result to the country by the firm ad-
herence of Mr.. Buchanan to the course he
advised the two houses he would pursue
in this respect.
The Thirty Fifth Congress has been one
OF the most eventful in our history. It O.
pened in the midst Of fearful and long,
standing domestic controversy in respect to
the organization Of State government in,
Kansas, controversy of no great practical
consequence SO far as the affairs Of the peo-
|ple Of Kansas were concerned, but one,
which unfortunately had enlisted the yeryl
worst passions Of the two great sections Of
the Union. We forbear even the slightest
reference to the partizan events which dis.
tinguished the session in its commence
ment, or to the stirring details which led on
to one of the bitterest and most relentless
controversies we have ever witnessed in A.
merican politics GA,
The administration recommended the a.
doption Of measures which it was believed
would end in an early pacifcation of the ac-
tual troubles existing in Kansas, and for
ever remove from the halls of Congress the
question Of slavery, which has done SO
much to engender strife and contention be-
tween the North and the South. It will
not be denied tnat it was the great object
Of Mr.. Buchanan to get rid Of a fruitless
cause OF quarrel between the two great Sec
tons of the Union; and it can hardly be
questioned that he was honest and patriotic
in the conviction that the passage of the
measure proposed would lead to that result.
Such at all events were his views and in
tentions and we leaye It to the country
noe 70 testify to their wisdom and forecast.
Tie met the issue under trying and discour-
aging circumstances, and in the midst Of
threats, derlsion and the prophecy of civil
war, If his measures should become the law
Of the land. After long and memorable
struggle the administration triumphed the
country triumphed; patriotism triumphed /;
and quick upon the announcement Of sue
cess came tokens Of universal peace. salts
faction and domestic tranquility.
The people Of Utah combined. under the
lead OF mischievous men, to throw off their
obligations to the Constitution, and to as
sumo to themselves an indenendent exis-
tence. The rebellious Mormons were for
midable only in the intervening distance be-
tween us and them which was powerfu}
defence, and if the President would see
that the laws be executed, he could accom-
|pllsh his patriotic purposes only by employ
ing large force at great expense He ac-
ted with energy and frmnes and it must
have been source Of great satisfaction to
him to be able to announce to Congress be-
fore its adjournment, the complete success
OF the measures be adopted to put down the
rebellion in Utah, and again to nut in ful]
force in that Territory the laws Of the Uni
ted States.
These are amongst the prominent events
OF the session which has just closed. We
are rejoiced to be able to announce that the
adjournment yesterday was marked BY an
excellent temper on the part Of members.
and, as tar as we can see, by condition of
public opinion throughout the country which
promises far less sectional strife than we
have been accustomed to witness durino the
last L four years. - Washington Union, June
ROCKINGHAM ITEMS. We regret
to learn (says the Register) that on Tues
day night Of last week, the Southwestern