Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-22
From the New York Journal Of Commerce.
What Congress should DO--rreasOn
nerinad.

From the New York Journal of Commerce.
What Congress Should DO--rreasOn
DEFINED.
1t is vet seven weeks before Congress will as
semble, under the proclamation of the President,
for an extra session, and too early to determine
with accuracy the legislation which the exiSen-
cies of the country will demand. We had sup
posed that the object of the President in conven-
ing the Representatives of the people at un-
usual season. was that he might have the benefit
of their advice. under circumstances OF an extra
ordinary character, and to afford them an oppor-
tunity for considering the questions bearing upon
our national difficulties, at an earlier period than
their annual meeting would afford. But we seem
to have been mistaken in this; for we learn from
the Courier and Enquirer that it would be highly
improper for Congress to do anything beyond
registering the edicts of the President, which, to
save that functionary trouble, have been prepared
by the editor of the paper aforesaid. The follow
ing is the schedule:
"Their duty, in our judgment, is easily defined,
and can be very rapidly discharged. IL consists
in doing precisely ,rhat the Executive may ask Of
them, and rothing more. In the interim between
this and the 4th of July, the President should
have matured the necessarily bills to carry into
effect his determination to put down the existing
rebellion, and they should consist as follows:
CA bill to authorize the necessary loans.
"a bill TO increase the army.
ga bill TO increase the navy.
"a bill to authorize the calling into service the
necessary number of volunteers, &c, &c, &c.
"a bill defining more accurately treason against
the United States, and Furnishing with death
every attempt to give aid or comfort to the
enemy.
"a bill making it obligatory on the part of every
commander of U. S. vessel, or vessels in the
employ of the u s.. upon the capture of Pr-
et.o H,.t ta Raba n
hang all on board as Pirates, within an hour
after such capture, and without trial,-the Pi-
rates papers to afford all the testimony required
for the execution of captain and crew.
Such other bills having special relation to put
ting down the rebellion, as the Executive and his
constitutional advisers may deem expedient.
That is the programme. Its peculiarly con-
sists in relieving Congress entirely of any need OF
brains, or of putting to practical use such as they
have been furnished with by the Creator. They
have only to do precisely urhGt the EIecutioe may
ask of them, and nothing more Why, we re-
.pecttuly ask, convene Congress at all! Ii the
Judgment and the information of its members is
not to be called into exercise, we do not see any
great necessity for inviting them to the capital,
unless it be to legalize the action of the Presl-
dent-and as that action heretofore has been i'll
some instances of doubtful validity. it is difficult
to perceive why the same reasons which have CON
trolled the Executive Department hitherto, are
not equally good for the future The increase of
the Army and Navy has been undertaken with
out waiting for the authority of law and the other
chief duty which our contemporary wishes to have
performed viz the treason bill, might he inaugu-
rated in the same manner, or possibly wait till the
regular session of Congress
Let us not be understood as Directing to cali
of Congress We decidedly approve Of The action
of the President in that respect; and when Assem-
bled, we would have that body deliberate with
care and act with energy and prudence, upon the
great questions demanding its consideration. The
time has not vet come in this country when the
representatives of the people are called upon to
do precisely what the Executive may ask OF
them, and nothing more" When that time ar
rives, it will scarcely be worth while to raise
armies or borrow moneys longer to maintain our
privileges. The power of speaking through our
legally chosen representatives being gone, the
other rights of freemen will soon follow.
AS we remarked at the outset, we think it too
early to lay down a programme for legislation two
months hence but it Is highly proper that the
public attention be directed to the subject, and
especially that those upon whom is so soon to de-
vOlve the momentous responsibility of directing
the affairs of the Government in this crisis, care
fully and faithfully examine their duty, consider
the various propositions which may be submitted,
and be prepared to act, not like the slaves of
despotic ruler, but as becomes the representatives
of a free and independent people. Upon the
subject of making provision for conducting the
Government, there can be no diversity Of opinion.
Cost what it may, land the public will soon be
instructed on this pont,) the brave men who
have volunteered to fight the battles of the
country must be sustained and cared for; and
while the war lasts, it should be conducted upon
an enlightened system. The public credit must
be maintained. the public faith observed, and the
hands of the Executive upheld in all constitu-
tional and lawful undertakings.
As to the mode of accomplishing these and
other measures devolving upon Congress, and
particularly with respect to any contemplated
plans for restoring peace to the country, Congress
is the proper judge; and that member of either
House who goes to Washington in obedience 10
the Executive proclamation, with no higher aims
and no more adequate sense of official duty than
to register, without thought or consideration, the
DEGREES of the President, is poorly qualified for
the high obligations imposed upon him by his
constituents. There never period in the
history of the country when the action of Congress
was more important than it appears to be at pres
ent. Instead of session of ten days, suggested
by our dictatorial contemporary, it may be neces
sary for the sitting to continue through the whole
of the usual recess. At all events, that body
should be in session as long as the exgencies of
the country demand legislation to maintain the
the aspect of affairs to afford the slightest op
portunity for the restoration of peace.
In order, as we suppose, that the members of
Congress may have proper sense of the restric-
tons imposed upon them, the Courier holds up to
their view the fate which awaits each and every
one who shall dare to depart from its programme of
Congressional action. No man, under pain Of
the traitors reward, is to raise his voice in Con-
gre5s elsewhere in favor of any adjustment of
our national troubles, except in the mode pro-
posed by the President on the suggestion of the
Courier. To be more definite, we quote from its
article the following:
'And whoever, in Congress or elsewhere, pro-
poses any change in the Constitution, or any con-
cessions to the Rebel States, or any compromise
upon the question of slavery or who desires or
offers for consideration any project to get rid of
! this civil war, except by augmentation of the
Army and Navy. and the strengthening of the
hands of the Executive. is at heart as much of a
Traitor to the Union as is jeff Davis and his as
sociate Rebels
That is toeTably explicit and since the same
sheet has repeatedly told that "Jeii. Davis and
his associate rebels should be hung" we sup
pose it would mete out to every person who a" in
Congress or elsewhere" shall propose mode Of
settling the questions which agitate the country
in any mode other than through bloodshed. the
same measure of punishment. 1t will be fortu-
nate for the editor of the Courier if Congress
does not include in the list of subjects for the
halter those persons who have wantonly accused
the brave heIrted defenders of their country with
being traitors while risking their lives in gal
ant struggle to defend the national flag. He
should beware, lest - they that take the sword
shall perish with the sword"
Missouri.