The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-25

Of CongTess---eertAinly no unsafe nor
unfair nor unjust cFiterion-the present
Congress Ia the weakest the silliest, the
laziest that has ever convened at Wash
ingtOn. II has done but little and that
little not Of creditable character. Grave
questions of State, involving the integrity
Of the Union and the inviolabiity Of the
Constitution, are fippantly discussed and
disposed of with Indecent haste, and
with a recklesSnesS, indifference and ig-
norance truly shameful. Some overhead
GUS member, anxious to display his sa-
gacity and patriotism or party fealty, in
PRODUCES an absurd bill or resolution, and
it passes at once without reflection or in
vestigation. There appears to be no con
sentative, no intelligent, prudent or dis
eliminating element in Congress. The
fear Of being accused of symPathising
with the rebels may deter the few Demo
cratic members from vigorously opposing
the stupid measures Of the majority; or
perhaps, they wish to prove to the Peo'
pie, by experiment, that the Republicans
are incapable of administering the Gov
eminent judiciously and acceptably and
wisely. Whatever may be the motive, il
is very evident they take no active part
in Congressional proceedings. Blind ad'
hesion to party, bigctry and fanaticism
are rioting in the halls of Congress.
Congress met on the second Of Decem-
Der; it has been in session fifty days )
and it has scarcely done anything worth
notwithstanding that lnanifests ca
pacity or patriotism. 1t has immortalized,
itself by passing buncOmbe resolution.
Almost Immediately after the organization
of the House, the irrcprcssible Colfax,
spiling to get up sensation" and hav-
ing an eye to making political capital for
himself, introduced the following resOlu-
ton which was unanimously adopted:
" Whereas, Michael COrcoran, who was Ia.
ken uris0uer on the field Of Manassas, has, after
suffering other indignities, been confined by
the Rebel authorities in the cell Of u convicted
fglOn; therefore
" R.soIUed, That the President of the United
States be requested to similarly contine James
NJ Mason, late of Virginia, now in custOd! at
Fort Warren. until Col. COrcOran shall be
treated As the United States have treated all
prisoners taken BY them on the battle field. "
Subsequently asimilar resolution ''pair-
ing off, Slidell with Col. Wood was adopt
ed. Probably by this time Colfax and
the supporters OF the resolution have
come to the conclusion that they acted
rather thoughtlessly and hastily in pass
ing it. He acted imprudently in not con-
sulting the Administration before be in
troduced it; and had the President acted
as precipitately as Congress and complied
with the request, he would now be the
laughing stock of the country. Colfax
thought it "a great thing" to introduce
the resolution; perhaps he is now con
WINGED that it was a very foolish thing.
The people must so consider it at all
events, and have but little respect for a
Congress that acted SO inconsiderately.
Before committing themselves by adopt
ing the resolution, the members should
have first aScertained whether Wilkes, in
arresting Mason and SlidelI, had acted in
accordance with the instructions of the
Administration and the law Of nations.
They placed themselves in ridiculous
and humiIiating position by not investiga-
ting the subject In their eagerness to
punish Mason and Slidell, they showed
their ignorance Of what had heretofore
been the policy of their own Government,
and their total unfitness to legiSlate upon
grave questions. 1t was disgraceful
blunder, but what better could be expect
ed from the representatives of fanatical
party Pa party without a policy and al
ready disOrganized by dissensions and the
conflicting sentiments of its leaders. The
Secretary of the Navy had officially and
publicly Endorsed Wilkes course, and
knowing this Coliax had reason to believe
that his report had been presented to and
received the sanction Of the Cabinet =
II it had then there would have been ne
improperly in Congress passing the res
olution. 1t may have Endorsed it at first
but discovered its error before it was too
late, and induced ColCax to get Congress
to share the responsibility with the i'm
pulsive but indiscreet Secretary.
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VSJoS MpN -There are thoCe who inS c