The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-12-22
saasllrille aniuu.
VIZ. OAEER9N : CO.. Publishers.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER p, 1864
From Washington.
EcorrsspOnaenes # the Nashville Uu'on I
WASHINGTON. Dec. Is. 1854

I
measures, even to the extent of war
with Great Britain if necessary, rather
than submit to the continued annoyAn
ces, upon sea and land, Of parties aided,
abetted and protected by England and
her American possessions.
The reciprocity treaty is in great dis.
favor, and will doubtless be abrogated
as soon as can be WITH deeency. Sena-
tor Chandler assurea the Senate yes
terday that the feeling along the border
is intense, and % means Of protection
he urged the adoption of resolution
providing for. the raising of an army
Corps for special duty on the border.
lie also urges aat compensation, with
interest, be demanded CT England for
all vessels and their cargoes destroyed
or captured by Confederate cruisers
built or equipped by English subjects.
The order of General Dix authorizing
the pursuit and capture of Confederate
emissaries within Canadian territory if
necessary, is also very significant, and is
a source of some apprehension among
those who look seriously upon every
prospect of neU troubles so long as our
present difficulties promise occupation
for our resources.
War il an evil that should never be
engaged in so long as it can be averted
with honor and safety to community,
and while would not counsel submis-
sion to continued wrong and insult,
DO trust that nothing will occur during
the existence of the present rebellion
to disturb the friendly relations that
have SO long existed between US and
Europe.
Notwithstanding the Canadian ex>
citement domestic affairs continue to
excite interest The everlasting negro
still lives, and in the House of Repre-
sentatiyes, yesterday, formed the text
from which Mr.. Brooks, of New York,
preached about the ablest sermon Of
this or any other Congress, against the
administration and its war policy
This resurrection of the negro by the
same gentleman who voluntarily buried
HIM at the last session, after pronOunc-
ing him dead has increased the impa-
tienceof the multitude for the final set
tlement of this yexatious question by
constitutional amendment, forever pro-
hibiting the existence of slavery in any
part of the United States.
1t is to be hoped that the House will
reconsider the judgment pronounced
at the last session against the measure,
and allow it to go before the people at
the earliest practicable moment, For
the third of century or more, no po-
ton has been concocted by the politi-
cal doctors without the taste of slavery
and the smell of the negro in it The
people are tired of it, and hope for
speedy relief only in suoh an amend
ment of our organic law as shall place
the subject forever beyond the hope OF
refrigeration
And while the people are being called
upon to discuss the question Of reform,
it might be well enough to go over the |
whole ground and see if there are not
other points which need modification.
It occurs to me that our President
and Vice President ought to be elected
by direct vote of the people, and that
majority of the popular vote should
be necessary to choice and there is
no reason why the same princiIls
should not be applied TO the election
of United States Senators. The plan
is eminently democratic, and offers
greater security against bribery and
corruption than the present mode
The Senate being intended by the
trainers of the Constitution as an Gtvi-
sorry rather than as a legislative body,
might also be reduced to one member
from each State without detriment to
the interest of the people, who will GER
tainly not object to the economy Of the
measure.
Greater safeguards should be thrown
around the public Treasury, and the
appropriation of large sums of money
for the indirect advancement Of par
tisan purposes should be guarded
against by aproyision that money shall
not be appropriated without the con-
currence of two thirds of both houses
of Congress, except for the suppression
of rebellion or insurreetion, or the sup
port of war actually existing
That party spirit has become great
evil in this country is evident TO every
observing mind, and the evil could be !
greatly abated by radical change in !
the system Of subordinate appoint
ments under the government. Ths ap
pointments in the civil IS in the military
service should be for life, or during the !
faithfulness and good conduct Of the
appointee This would tend in the
first place 10 the equalization Of the
clerical force with the demand for
services, which is commendabls as 3
measure Of economy The enquiry
has heretofore been, not how many men >
are necessary for she accomplishment !
Of certain amount Of work, but how {
great num0er can we get an appro- Z
priation for 2 The desire to compensate
political frienda hAs banished regard {
for the common good This Of couFss
Is notseen with SO much force now as
formerly, for the reason that the IN
crease in work under the present sd. s
has been out Of all proper
ion 10 the increase ofelarieAl force
But most Of the causes Of increase are
larnnorarv. and will Ia due tina Daas -