Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-12-28
ALEXANDRIA.
SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER %.

One OF the worst misfoItunes OF the country
in this, the day Of its misfortunes, is the un-
certainty which, exists 10 relation to the
legislation Of Congress with regard to im-
portant measures. To- the great and ac-
knowledged want of craftsmanship on the part
Of Legislators, is added the contrariety OF views
of, and the multitude of plans concocted by,
mere tyres, smatterers, and incompetent per
sons all striving to be leaders, and almost all
as ignorant as they are pretertious. Under
such guidance it cannot be expected that the
public can have any reliance upon the future.
What it is thought will be done one week, may,
by some sudden political change, or some sud
den party movement, be directed 10 an entirely
different manner the next The dominant
party have one single, settled determination ;
that is, to cause the Southern States to be re-
constructed SO as to secure, if possible Radical
aseendency by means Of ''colorel suffrage .
but beyond this, land outside of this, they have
no settled political principles, connected with
the foreign relations, the finances, the revenue,
the debt, the tariff, and the general interests OF
tho country. As for constitutional principles,
in the conduct Of affairs, so far as they are az
fected by Congressional action, they, We be-
lieve, have ceased to claim merit ior entertain
ing any, and certainly rarely, If ever, pretend
even to act upon them. They now ask, if We
pass this, will it benefit the party? None Of
them with but few and rare exceptions ever
stopto inquire, is it just-is it constitutional?
10 the last six or seven years they have run
their ploughs shares through and over the
Constitution with as much indifference as
ever farmer runs his over stumble field
It cannot, then, be otherwise than that dis
trust, anxiety, and uncertainty should exist,
and that the agricultural, commercial, manu-
featuring, mining, and mechanical interests OF
the country, are all at staud-still, not know
ing what is to come next, or what may be
looked for, orcounted upon. The natural re-
suit follows .iDevitably-and is felt in every
branch of BUSINESS, and through sVery ramlh-
cation of trade Who knew, but few weeks
ago, what was their intention with regard to
the impeachment Of the President-and what
trouble and couvulsion they might not have
thrown the country into, by persistence in
that mad and mischievous scheme? They see
tho country burdenei with debt, they see
public affairs in ruinous condition, they have
ten States kept out Of the Uuioo to undergo
the process of Inflammation finally, they
now hear the wall OF millions of people rising
o-heaven, and soon to be heard With cries Of,
shsme-shame- all over Euro pe-and no man
can say or can imagine what they will do 1t
is all uncertainty and Enthusiastically. Uu-
happy country, to be placed, at such time,
under such auspices! Unfortunate country,
to have legislative majority 10 which there are
no patriot statesmen to tower above the heads
of the herd Of common politicians and denaa-
gogues, and lead their followers to acts which
would acknowledge the supremacy of the Con
stitution, restore the Union of all the States
place the military in subsection to che civil au-
thority, provide equtably tor the great interests
of the government, and promote the general
welfare. and future peacs and prosperity of all
sections of the land 49,.