The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-12-30
Is the Present Congress a Truly Rep
resenfaIiYe One.

Most of the members of the present
Congress were elected before the war
closed, and under 3 very different state
of circumstances from those which
nov exists. They we're for the most
part candidates OF the contractors and
others interested in the war. They
were chosen to rspresent the greatintel
ests created by the war and the aggres-
sive spirit of the war Since the time
of their election q wonderful change
has taken place The war has been
closed up so completely that we're it
not for the deb.is Of that stupendous
conflict we should hardly realize there
has been one 30 recently. There is
not the breath, semblsnee or pOsEibili-
ty Of hostility any more over this broad
land The sword is turned into the
ploughshare. The conquerors and
the conquered have alike rapidly
fallen back To the peaceful pursuits
Of life. The desire everywhere, aud
on both sides, is to obliterate all
, bitter remembrance of the struggle
as soon and as far as possible
to restore harmnoy, equality, and
the beneficent action of our re-
publican institutions throughout the
whole country at the earliest period.
This, too, the people are happily real
izing under the wise administration OF
President Johnson. Even the most
ultra radicals, those who pursue the
fallen Southerners with retribut4ge ven
geance, admit that we have no fear OF
future sectional hostilihes; that we have
in fact, established o solid peace. The
very magnitude of the war, and the
herculean efforts put forth to sustain it,
are guarantees, now that it is closed,
that no attempt can be made hereafter
10 renew it The progress toward res
toration and harmony has been as as
tonishiug as the conflict was desperate
The revolution both in affairs aad
in public sentiment has been very sur
prising since most Of the members of
the present Congress were elected
1t can hardly be expected that these
members should represent the senti-
ment ofthe country under the changed
circumstances. If they were states-
men, men Of comprehensive views, who
could understand the present and pen
citrate the future, whose minds and
patriotism could rise above the pas
sons Of the war and party politics, we
might have some hope Of them I'm
fortunately they are not such. Ordi-
nary men, they come from their coun.
try villages 70 the seat of government
with all the passions, preiudices and
narrow views OF local politicians. They
are full of the ideas and feelings of the
war after it is over and fast becoming a
matter of history. Events With mighty
strides rush on ike railroad cars, and
leave them gazing in wonderment be.
hind They are bewildered, aud aoun-
der about in uncertainty, first one way
and then another, not knowing rightly
where they are. The proceedings in
Congress during the tsW days they
were assembled show the state they
were in, and their inability to adapt
their views 10 the present order Of
things. In reality they are no longer
true Representatives. hey do not re-
present the existing sentiment Of the
country. The contractors and others
interested in the war, whom they more
particularly represented at the time of
their election are disappointed with
the prospect Of permanent peace, and
they spur them on TO agitation when |
there Is no longer any cause for it
This is really the secret of the opposi-
ton in congress 70 the harmonizinc |
measures Of the President Il is pity /
they cannot be sent back TO their con
sti tuencies 10 end out the change that
has taken place 4 year or so, how
ever, is not long in the life Of q nation,
and the time will soou come round /
when they will be taught sn impressive
lesson In the mean time we do not
despair Of the progr, s. Of the country.
Tor President Johnson has the wisdom,
power and hrmness 10 carry us safely
through, in spite Of the unrepresenta-
tive Congress with which be may have
10 contend N J. Herald