The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1864-01-19
Correspondence of the Guardian.

uo UuoiueSS was tIdHSdcteu IN CO0Se-
quence Of there being no quorum. The
great snow storm OF the season, which
seems.to have pretty thoroughly inclu-
dee Buchanan County in its precinct, so
blocked the roads that members of Con
gress who spent the holydays with their
families have been unable to get back as
they expected. Itappears to be a Gus
tom, (more honored in the breach than
the observance, however, for Congress
to do little or nothing till after the holy !.
days. So far as business is concerned
the body might as well meet the first
Monday after New Years day as when
lit does. Senator Grimes was opposed
to the adjournment. He wished TO vote
down the motion at once, and abrogate
the custom forever. His desire was not
obtained. All history shows that feasts,
junketings and bolydays, have such a
popular estimation that whatever other
observances may die, these live. 1t is
thus we see the Pagan Saturnalia, Flo
ralia, Baccbanalia, and other festivals
still existing in the modern carnival and
many of the games and sports OF Christ
mas. Members of Congress, great as
are their shadows, are but men, and the
SAVIOR of roast turkies and the greetir gs
and hilarity of the homestead had more
charms for them than legislation and
work.
1t is true, very little has yet been
done, but the initial stages have been
taken in some most important matters.
Among these l may mention Senator
Grimes bill to encourage enlistments in
tie naval service Of the United States,
and to credit such enlistments upon the
military quotas of the respective States.
The navy is most indispensable arm of
the public service, and its immense val
lie and consequence to the country must
continue to increase. The spirit of en-
Wy, jealousy and hatred, which has. been
displayed towards the United States,
since the commencement of the existing
slavemongers' rebellion, by our :" Brit
ish cousins" or rather by the. British
aristocracy and government, are unmis-
taxable admonitions to this nation TO
have it's web feet" in order, and every
portion of our marine department com.
plete and efficient. We must be in a
situation to cope with England on The
ocean, and even with her and France
combined. We must be able to assert
and maintain our rights wherever the
sea rolls its waves. In the exertions
which have been made to increase the
army, due attention has not been paid to
increasing the number of men in the ma
Wy. TIE bill Of Senator Grimes is we'll
adapted to effect this object 1t is for
tunate that he,has taken up the matter,
as it is conceded. on all hands, that he
is more thoroughly conversant with what
pertains to the navy than any man in
Congress or the country.
Chief Jurtice fancy has been report
ed as very sick, and as not expected to
|
live ; but of late he is considered in a
more promising state. 1t seems cruel
to wish for the death of any man, but
probably no radically loyal person in the
country has been putting up many ar,
dent supplications for Taney's recovery
Even at best, as he is considerably over
three score years and ten. he has been,
for quite period, living on somebody
else's time In addition to that, his in.
famous judicial decisions. and his utter
restitution of sympathy with the slave
have Justly rendered him odious. If he
had. or should, resign, people might be
willing to have his lease of live run as
it would. but unlees he does his further
longevity will not be The result of the
prayers Of majority of the community
Speaking of fancy reminds me of a mos,
excellent bill proposed in the Senate by
Senator Harlan. This bill is :" for the
relief of Judges of the Supreme Court"
Ii gives both the Chief Justice and the
Associate Justices, who are over seven
ty years OF age. an opportunity to retire,
at their own request, from the bench,
and receive during life salary ranging
from $4,000 to $500 This would be
strong invitation to fancy to yield his
place to better man. May he accept
lit!
In the House, Mr.. Wilson, Of our State,
has introduced joint resolution submit
ting to the legislatures Of the several
States a proposition to amend the Con.
stituton OF the United States. 1t is GER
tainly one which every anti slavery man
,ro,,lJ l;Lo ~ am ;n.anarohly arrro f,oJ