Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-04-18
Have We a Congre.s.
Iprom tbo Springfield RepublIca1 j

Things begin to look squally. A gov
ernment dollar is worth but So l-2 cents:
speculation is running up the prices Of
the necessaries of life even faster than
the government paper runs down; the
wealth of the country is passing from the
many to the few, and the laburing cIass-
es are becoming dispirited and sullen,
and Congress has neither tho wisdom
nor the cOurage To adopt the measures
that nre essential to avert the crisis TO
which nil these things tend. Indeed Con-
gress seems tO be Ubliviona alike to these
facts and to the growing dissatisfaction
of the people. The members devote
themselves u politics or speculation out
side Of the capital, so that it is difficult
to get together quorum for legislation,
and the reasonable among their number,
seeing this drift of things, take courage
to speak boldly for peace with traitors
aud for conceded disuniUn, after all we
have suffered in this great struggle to
defend the nation; and after several days
of excited discussion as to whether mem-
bers shall be expelled for talking treason,
the lame conclusion reached ut last is
mild vote Of censure. Throughout tho
country the sympathizers with treason
grow bolder day by day, and in some
places at the West have the courage to
attack the soldiers Of the Union while on
duty.
Congress has been more than four
months in session; what has it doue7 What
solitary practical measure OF any impor-
tancs has it perfected2 Ii devotes one day
in every week wholly to buucombe
speeches, aud uses up nearly every other
day in the same way. 1t is ready enough
to pass ine resolutions against rebellion
and slavery, and to pledge the resources
OF the country to put them down, but
when II comes to practical measures, with.
out which there can be no success, it halts
and stumbles Gud Postpones, and acts as IL
il did not know what must be done, or
knowing had not the pluck to do it. The
anti slavery amendment of the constitu.
tion is great aud needful measure, but it
cannot possibly be contaminated before
the nation has passed the crisis OF it's fate
and II cousummated its only value lies in the
successful overthrow Of the rebellion. Till
that iS achieved il will remain, like the
heap ofresolutions and Proolamations al
ready accumulated, mere impotent words.
Let the House pass the amendment by all
means, but waste no time upon 1t, or upon
any other matter not Immediately con-
uected with the great aud fearful work on
hand. the overthrow of tue rebellion, A
month more Of useless talk in Congress
will pot gold up to 400, inftct remediless
damage upon the business of the country,
and so demoralize the people that any
conceivable catastrophe will be possible.
There Is still one source Of confidence
left. We have larger aad better armies
tban ever before, with leaders of tried
ability and courage, and at length a auity
Of plan and movement under siugle
guiding mind. The salvation of the Union
now rests with Gen. Grant and his veter.
ans. All that Congress can do is to fur.
uish the "siueWs Of war, and leave the
generals alone. Beta tax be levied sBtii.
cient, TO save us from Impending national
bankruptcy, and then Congress may either
adjourn or AmuBe itself with Presidenl