The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-20
Meeting OF Congress-Important business
Before II.


AT the meeting Of Congress in the beginning
Of the ensuing month will be presented before
that body the most important matters that ever
claimed the attention of the national legislature
since the sittings Of the Revolutionary Congress
during our first war with England Before both
houses will be laid highly interesting reports
from the War and Navy Departments, giving an
account of the numerical strength and opera
tons Of our forces by land and sea, and pro-
baby calling for large increase of the army
and navy. From the head of the financial de-
partment of the government will come state
ments of facts and propositions Of the gravest
character for supply Of the snews Of war
Above all, the Presidents Message is expected
to be one of great moment. 1t will treat OF ques-
tons of the highest interest that ever have en-
gagged OF ever can engage the deliberations of the
representatives of great people. 1t will contain
various recommendations calling for the action
of Congress. These weighty matters will lead
to important debates, particularly the financial
affairs Of the country, together with its trade ard
commerce. The proposition of raising more
troops, perhaps 500, 900, so as to lead million
Of men into the field, and the question of build
ing additional ships-ofwar, so us to bring the
number up to probably five hundred, will be
canvassed, and no doubt carried in the aflirma-
tive, the evident policy of the government and
OF the country being to make the war a short
one. and therefore tremendous in its character.
Next to the Vaccinations Of the tories and
royalists, the greatest difficulty George Wash
ington had to contend with in the War of Inde-
pendence was the want of patriotic zeal in the
Continental Congress, its slowness to act, its
lack Of liberality and its opposition to many of
his vigorous measures. The people were far
ahead of it. The consequence was the pro-
traction Of the war for seven years, when it
might have been ended in half the time In
the war of lSl2-l4 there was the same def
cheney of generous ardor OH the part of Con-
gress, and the struggle, on the whole, was car
ried on with but little energy. We hope the
same fault will not be found with the present
Congress. The republic is striving for as great
stake as in any former war-as great as ever
was contended for on battle field. In the ex-
traordinary session convened by the President
last summer, Congress acted with great magma
nimity. We hope it will now act with a full
appreciation Of the magnitude of the case, and
that it will rise to the height OF the require
ments of the country.
The negro question, which was only slightly
touched by the resolution adopted in the last
session, cOnfscating the property of rebels, in
GLIDING slaves, when employed in the service
OF the insurgent army, will be reopened and
discussed at length, and probably some new
measures passed in relation to it bearing on the
war; This may prove stumbling block and
source of division.
At the last meeting Of Congress there was a
small opposition to the government. It was of
a secession character, or springing from SYM
pathy with the rebel States. That is now COM
pletey swept away. But there will be an op-
position this time Of a very different kind, and
far more malignant and formidable. 1t is the
satanic element of abolition. 1t will thwart the
policy OF the government and embarrass its
operations against the enemy. But the best
way for the administration to treat il il TO grasp
the nettle firmly with its strong hand and it
will cease to sting. Whether this element ex-
hibit its opposition in Congress or out Of it,
there is but one safe mode of dealing with it.
and that is to squelch it according to the laws
and usages Of war; thus placing it exactly on
the same footing as the secession ele-
ment. The government is acting as
constitaticnally as is compatible with
state OF war and the most gigantic rebellion
known to history. Look at its rebuke Of Free
mont. and the proclamations of Sherman and
Dix under its direction. Even the speech Of
Colonel Cochrane, with one or two exceptions
is all right.
Let the government, therefore show the same
vigor i'll suppycssing the abolition element
wherever il maniests itself, as it has done in
the case of the seccssionists. Lei the same
measure OF justice be mcted out TO both. and let
the administration act with an impartial hand
which knows no distinction. We are now in an
abnormal and exceptional condition, which de-
mands extraordinary remedial measures. When
the war is ever and military necessity does not
require such severity, we will then return to
our normal condition. and be the same liberty
loving people we We're since we threw off the
yoke Of England We will thus show the
monarchies of Europe that Il representative
democracy is equal alike 10 the emergencies of
war or to the smoother paths of peace, and that
it can brave the dangers Of disruption and
weather the storm as we'll as the most absolute
forms of government in the Old World.
The RECENT ELEcroNs-- THE LAST STRUGGLE
OF ABoLrioN.-The politics of tie country, as
developed BY recent elections in several of the
States. show tina, parties are undergoing a COM
plete transformation. In consequence Of the
issues created by the rebellion. old factions
have become nearly obsolete, and new organi-
cations arc spriuging into existence. In process
Of time. it is already manifest the people of the
loyal States will he divided into two hostile
classes. namely. the vast majority Of conserva-
tive and law abiding citizens. and small, rest
less body OF incendiary aboitionists. The poll
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