Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-12-05
Next Session of Congress-Epoch
of Freedom.

that it will be "the most important eve
held" Up to this time, however, ther
has been no unusual interest attached t
the ensuing session. There are severa
reasons for this; but the chief reason i
that the late session of Congress scene,
in its legislation to have covered tn
whole ground of the rebellion and tn
necessities Of the war. The Confscatiol
and Emancipation Acts, the Tariff anc
Internal Revenue Bills, the Pacific Rail
road Charter, and the Act declarin.
freedom forever in all Territories of thu
Union-these great measures provide
for the support of the Government anC
the direction of its policy for present anC
future, in time OF war and time Of peace
and it seemed at the close Of the session
that the government might so on fol
years successfully without another meet
ing of Congress.
But all these signs of public indifer,
ence and inattention may prove delusive
Instead of a quiet session we may have.
indeed, one of the most exciting and mo-
mentous Of our national existence. One
thing, at least, is certain: the next Ses-
sion Of Congress will witness one of the
most amazing transactions ever irecor-
ded in history-the instant Liberation by
edict of war of over three millions Of
slaves. And the liberation of these will
incidentally and not very remotely draw
with it the enfranchisement Of one mill
lion more. The next session of Con-
gress will not only witness this grand
birth of a people, but upou its numbers
will devolve the duty of dealing with
the fact, as authors and delegated guard
ians of the process of Emancipation.
Prophecy Las directed us to look for
eventful times in the latter days of the
earth. Wars and rumors of wars-dis.
tress and perplexity among the people
and, as a climax, 'natilns shall be born
in a day" We will indulge in no vain
and Improbable discussions as to prob
able fulfIlment of prophecy falling on
one day. But he must be insensible
indeed to the profoundest emotions of
humanity who fails TO regard the first Of
the ensuing year, bearing with it the
promise Of freedom to four millions of
a race that has bent for centuries under
cruel bondage, as one of the grandest
epochs that seer or prophet ever discern
ed in the spirit Those Of US who are
living when that day comes viii, we are
sure, remember it forever
The disposition to be made Of the en-
slaves of the south will be one
of the chief subjects of investigation and
decision at the coming session of Con-
gress. Universal emancipation is TO be
received as an accomplished fact, after
the first of January. After that day, it
will be claimed of the seeded states,
(and soon of all the states,) as it is claim
cd Of England, that " a slave cannot
breathe on its soil" And such will be
our national faith and policy forever
But what settlement shall be made of the
gnorant and penniless millions that are
50 soon to be ushered upon Freedom
and colonization in foreign
is simply absurd. 1t is the
widest and most impossible Of schemes.
In the south, the blacks must have their
ZONES. But in what parts of the south
under what political system-in what
citation TO the whites, and in what rela.
ion to the state and national govern
nents J.? These are problems difficult 10
olve, and yet unspeakably important in
heir solution to the happiness of all the
Millions of both races. The next ses-
ion of Congress will inaugurate the de-
Yates on these great social and political
Iuestons but it is hardly probable that
he fourth of March, when the existence
f Congress closes, will find the problem
olved, and the policy of the government
ettled permanently and to the satisfac-
ion Of all.
There are other disturbing elements.
hat may come into play between Decem-
,er and March, to increase the excite
lents of the national progress. But we
will not speak of them now. There is
nough in what we have already sug-
ested to show that the next session of
will be held in the midst of ;
most remarkable events, and one Of the
host stimportantquest Of modern times,
bat may give birth to the character and
1ill live in history for all ages.-M T.
Times.
e" Welcome, little stranger as the
ian said when be found three cent
iecs among his postage stamps. y