The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-04-11
The Country In Cress Dangsr-What
Congress SWght TO do.

| the loyal States of hundreds OF thousands OF
their most vigorous men. and thousands OF
millions OF money, we are enjoying carnival
Of unbounded prosperity. On every hand ex-
trayagance, prodigality and speculation pre-
vail. DeIrium reigns IN Wall street and
among the gddy throngs Of Broadway, and
| amid the splendors and the surging multtudes
| at tue great FAIR; in o word, from the Atlantic
to the Pacific, the madpes of unlimited treasures
rules the hour Glorious spectacle this and
yet a most fearful delusion. 1t 10 like the
feast of Belshazzar, while he legions of our
irresistible enemy Gre gathering under the city
walls
The country is in danger and the perils
which menace it are great, and cannot be safely
disregarded. We are gaily sailing now in
smooth water, but we are borne along on the
treacberous current of Niagara, which leads to
the flashing rapids and the dreadful abyss be-
low. Strong arms and skilful pilot can save
us by pulling for the shore; but in continuing
to drift with the deceitful stream we shall be
inevitably borne to destruction. We must
bring this war to an end, and we must establish
our financial system on a solid foundation dur
ing the present year, and provide, too, the
agents for the restoration of the Union in con-
stimdonal way Or chaos, financial and politi-
cal, will come upon us.
Our hopes Of a rescue are now In Congress.
The adpir'stratisn Of Abraham Lincoln has
failed to meet the just expectations OF the coun-
Try. The last Congress, with a liberal hand
voted mon, money housekeeping neces-
s.ry, except proper and comprehensive system
OF taxation, for speedy suppression Of the re-
bel'ion; and yet, after three years Of san
culinary war, the work is not yet accomplish
ed Hence the tax bills Of the last Congress
have failed to keep within mailing distance of
The public expenditures Greenbacks, in
every shape and form, are multiplied; but as
they are increased they diminish in value. Our
old continental paper currency, the assignats
of the first French republic and the worthless
scrip Of JEFF. Davis adnonish us Of what is to
follow by the increase Of paper money to
meet the losses from its depreciation. The pre-
sent Congress evidently comprehends to a
great extent, the dangers of the crisis and the
remedies demanded Several very important
measures, already acted upon in the House
disposed to rely any longer upon the wisdom
of President Lincoln.
First, in the bill which has resulted in
placing Gen. Grant in the active command OF all
the armies of the Union the two houses have
recognized the iacompetency Of Mr.. Lincoln's
military Directory at Washington, and have
provided capable and victorious soldier to
direct the movements Of our armies in the ap-
preaching campaign. This act alone has done
wonders in reviving the confidence of the loyal |
States in the complete success Of their glorious
cause. Secondly, in its late unanimous decla-
ration against the Napoleonic monarchy OF
Mexico the House of Representatives has ad
minstered q timely rebuke against the timid
and temporizing foreign policy of the admins
tration, and has thus taken another important
step to repair its blunders and short comngs.
The Senate, next, in its brief but broad and
comprehensive resolution, providing for the
abolition of slavery through an amendment OF
the constitution, has emphatically repudiated |
the absurd emancipation projects and expert |
ments of the administration, and has boldly |
and bravely struck out in the right path for the
absolute and permanent settlement Of the
slavery question. Thus while Congress, be
tween the two houses, has satisfactorily inter-
posed its legislative authority to secure vigor-
Gus prosecution Of the war, in the promotion
of General Grant, and has properly instructed
the administration and warned Louis Napoleon
in reference to Mexico, we have also the first |
practical step taken towards the correction Of |
the ricketty emancipation schemes OF Mr.. Lin |
coln and towards legitimate and speedy re-
moval Of this trouble Of slavery from every
State and Territory Of the Union.
But STILL looking to our financial affairs, and
to the chances Of the prosperity Of this ad-
ministration, the country is in danger. Rely
ing upon General Grant and the brave and
mighty armies in his hands, and our powerful |
cooperating navy, we expect the defeat and
dispersion of the rebel armies in the interval
to November next. With the fulflment of this
hope the task OF strengthening our financial sys
tenn to positive security will be comparatively |
easy in proper hands; but Congress, in this |
work, should not wait upon General Grant. In |
any event taxation is the only remedy that will |
cure this paper money disease; but, in the
event OF any serious disaster to our armies,
nothing but the safeguards Of taxation will save
us from swift financial destruction. Above all
other things, however, 1t now devolves upon
Congress to take the initiative for q new ad-
ministraton. In the hands Of our present in
efficient Executive all that human wisdom may
be able to provide in the way of legislative
guides, supports, checks and balances will still
be frittered away, and So with the war ended
bis blunders in the work Of reconstructing the
Union may prove more disastrous to the coun-
try than the war tself.
Congress, then, we repeat, should at once in
terpose its influence and its authority In behalf
Of more accountable candidate for the success