The New York herald., 1862-08-24

tn legislation cf the country and tho nople have nos
bon suaarso bccome aware q measures deeply asect
ing their interests They onlJ conjecture What has
he6u the pursued by individual members ON mat
of vital interest 10 the country but that s ALL and
know not whether 10 approve or condemn. The only IN
formation vouclsaied to them occasionally 49, that Con-
gess, in its wisdom, has At To pass hs or that i'm
portan measure, and now calls the people TO give
hearty support because cohtrary course would create
III isioDs In the country.
We have never approved of the secret policy Of Con-
gess and do not believe that II Is ia dance with the
spirit OF the Confederate constitution that is cal
cuated 10 subserye The best interests OF the country
We regard u perncious both principle and prac-
tice as being calculated engender distrust In the
hearts OF the people and gives free rein TO corrupt and
and unprinoiped politicians to work Out their own de-
signs uncontrolled by any lear Of popular dispeasuTe.
while the doors Of Congress remain closed bad Wiu
be enabd 10 plot and plaa ia secret, unchecked by the
fear OF popular manifestations OF disapprova. IL Is only
by exposing the acts OF members OF the government TO
the crit cm OF the people that they can be mado to feel
the weight of tie responsibility resting upon them
but while Congress sts with closed DOORS and the acts Of
government are matured in secret, this wholesome crit
esm cannot be exercised with discrimination, and as
consequence there proper feeling Of responsibility
the part of those entrusted with the management OF
the affairs OF The country We hope therefore that when
Congress meets AGAIN in August, resolution will be
adopted to the doors and allow the people TO enter
and zee and hear for themselves what their representa-
tives doing Lat the darkness which has heretofore
envel0ped thing connected with the government be
dspsed let the light OF day shine in upon the machinery
Of government and then If members do not receive the
conhdencs and support Of the people, is because they
have not deserved them.
From tho Columbus miss Republio.l
Secret sessions OF Congress in the highest degree
dangerous TO the liberties and interests Of the people.
Let take warning by chapter in the carly history OF
the late United States, which, in its infancy, for
time the brink Of ruin; though the question
that nearly caused only debated in secret sessions
OF Congress-, the people not aware Of II till more
than thirty years after the danger had been
providentially averted. In 1885, John jay, Secre-
tary OF Foreign Affairs who had been author
lied to institute negotiation with the Spanish
government, laid before Congress- profound secret
proposition to abandon the navigation Of the Mis-
sissppi river TO Spain for the period Of wenty
thirty years. as equivalent for treaty Of commerce
with that nation This suicidal meas ire would have ine-
vaby led separation between the Eastern and West
orn country. It would have been REIMBURSEMENT Of
hveeghhs Of the territory Of the United States and
abandonment OF the farest subject for the payment Of
tie public debt contracted by the Revolutionary war,
which would thus have been chained the neck Of the
country in psretl4 Had the people been aware of
going they would have permitted such
question TO agtate the counses Of the natisn but
whole affair veed 10 Darkness and continued
I'll the year 1873 when resolution passed autho-
rizng the publication Of the secret journals Of the old
Congress. Questions less vitay interesting will have
be met by people Of tho Confederate States Let
them take timely warming and watch with jealous and
suspicious eye every attempt BY Congress to sit with
closed doors.
lFrom the Atlanta (Ga.) Confederacy.]
Congress reassembes the 18th. We hope that body
when 1t meets again will not sit with closed doors, put
ting its light under bushel We want It's deeds and say
ngs before the world done in the face OF open day
the people may know who blame praise for the folly
wisdom Of its acts.