Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-03-31
m. aa,ourpment OF Congrsss.

The Adjournment OF COnEEsss.
The House Of Representatives has adopted resoiu
ton to adjourn next Monday, to meet again in July
We regard this as q very unfortunate resolution,
whether We consider the reputation OF Congress or Inc
publc interest Not two weeks ago, it voted Its own
members an annual salary Of 50 100 This was deemed
an ample compensation for full years service II was
based on the idea that the members being eOn'tHHy on
dutv we're entitled to sufficient and continuous pay We
did not subscribe either to the idea or It's sequence and
deeply deplored that the Representatives OF the people,
at such time as this should set the example OF green
ness and seseeking Il in contrast to, not ~ im
tatiop Of the great model Of 76 Then cur great men
thought il sufficient glory to serve their country with
out intermission and for nominal pay. There was no
break in their sessions from the beginning to tae end
and the thought Of urge salary never entered their
heads L. is very fashionable to compare the present
with that great We very fond Of 1t ourselves
but il notifying 10 have to confess that the compsr
son exhibits more instances Of contrast than iHtaOT
This whole action of Congress is amos. humiAting and
hesrt-sickeDing case in point The FIRST Washington
served his country through arduous campaigns in
the field; but his services were grAuitous, he only
charged the Government for his necessary expenses In
every department. the Yankee model Of dsspOing the
public for the benefit Of individuals has been rgdly co.
pied and We have an iri,t,d and disgusting imitation
Of that most corrupt and eouuprg Government on the
face Of the earth.
When the evidences were scsumulating upon " Of
the physical and intellectual noapacy Of the Executive
fer the crisis We naturally turned our eyes to the Repre-
sentative b,anch as the sheotanchor Of SAFETY
When that body seemed only intent aggrandzing s
own members it was the breaking grain of sand
our hearts sunk, and hope almost became extinct Bat
il was alleged in extenuaon that the measure was de-
signed 10 render members independent of the EKecn-
tive We could syupathiz, with such an offset; but
we never saw or heard that the thirs: for gold was
quenched BY gold. Il is one Of these apPetes that
gov BY Ehat they feed on And fear that the self
appropriatpg ordinance will 6I tho status Of this Con
gees in the estimate of the present and future genera
tons. Soch certainly will be the result unless it is
eounterac,ed BY some evidsnces of disnierestednes
som, palpable proofs Of solid sslfsAcrhcng devotion
to country.
An adjournment after a six weeks session will con-
sti.u,e no such proof That adjournment will looE
like dsseryou oS their posts. They are paid, and
u, paid, for the whole year, and the people have a
rich, to their services every day Of the year. Do they
n-opo.e to Join the army! The officers are already CT
c,ded either from the House or the army and as pri
Yates the membora however courageous and resPece'
bic. will constitute very feeble reinforcement But
eir pace is at the Clpita; their duty is here; they
are Paid to stay here to profit by every contingency
that NAV arise We cannot tell What month, or a
week or dav, may bring forth Foreign or domestic
o,ss,iops of The eraEest character may at any tina
arise demanding their instant action. They have torn
down the great bul~ark of civil Liberty and invested
one man viii authority TO deprive any and every man
OF his rights under magma chArtA The motive was no
doubt, good aud patriotic but upon the manner of tie
.euion Of thai order hangs the SeAl woe OF this
Conedtraey II harsh and tyrannca, the consequences
eappo. fail 10 be most disastrous. Unlsss they modify
the authority granted or be at their peas to restrain the
arbitrary and dspotc exercise Of it. they will be false
10 their country and Liberty For the people Of these
Southern States are not Yankees, aad will not tamey
submit to the less of theis rigbs Whenever the con-
sst oeases 10 be one for freedom, by our own author
ties chsmsonug ard practising despOtism, our fate ID
sealed 10 Liberty aud It's glorious inspirations con-
ss, our bes: aod orly sclii hopes for triumph over
our foes and ba pia,s' at homo.
And in rsspsc. to Eoresa Affairs, no man can say
when the action and power Of the whel' Government
NAY not bs needed Iadcstions are nos wanting, that
The emergency may arise at an early day. Seward has
promised tina, there shall be peace by the 'i Of
june and he may have 'Gred inducements TO procure
Ter IL 3rvenlion adversely TO US Paris paper eoHiani
mrs erious allusion declaration by British Min
iser that psace will be msds by June, by treaty Sur
rendering 70 the Yankees the States Of Kentucky TIN
pessee ard MisscaI There may be nothing in It; bu
vben such things arc taxed Ct every Southern mar
should bssst biz post