The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-03-08

Is it not high time that Congress should cease
random speech making and go to work in earnest?
Both Houses have been in session nearly three
months, and theHarper Ferry raid on the one hand
and the Helper book the other, have formed thus
far the chief staples of debate Innumerable
discussions have been had apparently for the ex-
press purpose of enabling Senators and Representa-
tves to define their respective positions in regard to
slavery and ant-slavery, but they have only result
ted IN mystiying the matter still more, and of in
creasing instead Of dsenangling the complications
which previously existed. What has been said on
both sides, has in most cases been neutralized by
what has been left unsaid and even where the pro-
tession of political faith seems characterized bv
frankness and by clearness and precision of state
ment, there will be found, on closer examination,
provisos and reservations of various kinds which
have been left as salety-valves to be used or not
used, hereafter, as circumstances may determine.
The truth is, and it is proper that the public
should know it, all the old platforms are tumbling
to pieces, and, until a reconstruction takes
place, party lines and party dogmas will
be respected or repudiated as interest,
conscience, or convenience may decide On the
numerous candidates in the field, and with impor-
tant issues depending upon the result of the con-
test it is natural that party leaders on both sides
should be found sailing close to the wind and that
the smaller craft, in endeavoring either to follow
each new evolution, or to fall back upon some safe
harbor or to venture out to sea on an indepen-
dent course should be dispersed at random. But
Senators and Representatives have duties to per-
form which cannot be neglected without compro-
missing important public interests, and it would
well become them to lay asde-for brief season
at least-their projects for President-making, and
their sectional grievances and their petty personal
animosites, and get through with the business that
called them together. The Appropriation Bills
are yet to be passed-the Pacific Railroad Bill de-
mands that some action should be taken upon it
the treaty with Mexico has either to be ratified or
rejected and many other measures of scarcely sub.
ordinate Importance have yet to be decided upon 1t
issheer folly for instance to waste time in discussing
the proprety of making large appropriations for the
defence OF the Texan frontier, and to urge upon
Senators the necessity for speedy action in the
matter, when it is well known that Governor
HoUsToN is clothed with full powers to call out, at
either Indian incursions or Mexican forays, and
that, if the occasion demands it, the PRESIDENT
can order the whole of the UNITED STATES troops
to the support of the Texan authorities. It is
equally useless to fritter away the session upon
COMMITTEES of Investigation, which, as everybody
knows, assume party complexion, exacerbate
party feeling, and end finally in working no re-
form. Whatever is to be done at the present ses-
sion of Congress, if it be done at ALL must be done
speedily. Those members err who imagine thew
have ample time in which to complete their legit-
mate work. 1t is true the session may hold until
August; but from the Odd of April to the 10th of
May-the days on which the respective Presiden-
tial Conventions are to meet-and for one week
previously, it is understood that no measures of
Importance will be acted upon in either branch Of
Congress. 1t is also very generally believed
that the House will adjourn for a week to
give the workmen opportunity for replacing
the desks which were ordered to be removed at the
previous session. After the Presidential nomina-
tons are made, the remainder of the session will
be taken up in forming political combinations and
in organizing the forces of the opposing parties
preparatory to opening the campaign. Upon a
close calculation there are not more than thirty
five clear working days now available, and every
measure Of consequence must be considered and
acted upon within that time, or it runs the risk of
not being acted upon at all 1t is from knowl-
edge of these facts and an apprehension lest they
should be lost sight of in the crush of other
matters, that we urge upon both Houses of Con-
gress to proceed at once to business. If there
should be time enough left after the regular duties
of the session have been fulfilled, to enlighen the
popular mind, through the medium of Congress
siona speeches, respecting the value or worthless
ness of this or that political platform, and the
merits or dement's of this, that, or the other nom-
nee for the Presidency, one will offer any ser-
Gus objections but the obligation imposed upon
them as legislators should be first performed