Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-03-07
Thirlr-serenth Conaress.


The Congress which has just closed its
existence has accomplished more good ana
resolved more curses than perhaps any
one since the organization Of the Govern
msnt Il has had a work Of tremendous
respous;bility to do, and it has, in general
met the responsibility manfully, and dis
charged its duty faithfully. A great re-
bellion has sprung up and grown to pro
portions that, two years ago were eonsla-
cred impossible. during its continuance,
and its record will live in history as an
other chapter in the great volume Of " How
a free people conduct s long war" From
the first, this Congress has been made the
subject Of unreasonable abuse from the
opposition, and especially during the
latter portion Of its administration. This
hasbeen the natural result ofits courageous
meeting Of the questions Of national policy
which have been presented to it. But the
people will do it justice, and its members
win have no cause to renounce their par
tieipation in its history
Among the wise sets passed by this
Congress. which are for the benefit Of pos
tsrity, are-the Homestead bill, giving free
homes to honest settlers; the exclusion Of
slavery from the Territories, thus secur-
ing honorable competition and certain
prosperity to those settlers; the Pacific
Railroad bill, opening to the public mar
kst tens Of thousands of productive acres
and also guaranteeing greater prOsecu
ton Of the gold discoveries in the vast In
terror: ths Agricultural College bill, By
which the States may be benefited by all th'
most valuable information regarding tina
agriculture which is the foundation o.
their wealth and integrity the exclusion o
slavery from the District of Columbia, b,
which the nation has wiped from her gar
ments the broad stain Of holding humal
beings in bondage upon territory unde
her exclusive control; the establishment
Of a sound and uniform national eurren
e7; the recognition of Hsyti and Liberi'
doing tardy justice to thOse long-waitin
nationaIities, and opening new fields 70
the eolored men and women Of our land
and the prohibition Of POlygamy, the twi
curse of slavery. To these measures
public and permanent value, may be ado
ed the establishment Of a Department {
Agriculture, the reorganization Of the 81
preme Court and Of the Court of Claim
the remOdeling of the grades Of the nav!
the prevention Of frauds by contractor
and the prohibition Of Congressmen an
Of all Government officials from sOlicitin
Offices and contracts for others for pay.
The opposition have made great boasts
the coming Congress and Of its "col
servative tone" Let US see ifit makes 1
honorable a record as the one just d
parted.
One important measure which this Coz
ersss did not pass was an Efficient prect
cal Bankrupt law. The business interes
Of the country are compelled to suffer,
consequences, until another Congress Civ
them hope Of relief. Some provision f
the defense Of the Great Lakes against 70
eign foes should also have been adopted.
Among the enactments especially ins
gated by the dangers Of the rebellion, a
the Conseripiion bill and the bill authori
jag the President to issue letters Ofmarq
and reprissl at his discretion. With the
two schemes Of defense in operation,
shall be prepared for any contingency Il
NAV arise.