The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-31

ty-would add purer, pleasanter zest TO their
enjoyment, while the wretchedness it would
soothe and soften can hardly be told. By such
means more could be collected to assist the
needy than is realized in season by all our
ordinary charitable enterprises together. Shall
we not have a pond set apart for this good
purpose, Mr.. Greenf
Tho Work Before Congress md How II
Will Not be Done.
Congress has o vast amount Of work to do
If it attends to the condition and wants Of the
country. There never was time in our his
tory when 80 much work of the highest i'm
portance lay before the national Legislature.
There is the restoration of the South (not the
radical reconstruction of it, which is destruc-
ton instead of restoration) to be brought about;
there is the crushing weight of taxation to
be removed from the shoulders of the people Z;
there are financial reforms of the most sweep
ing character to be made in the Treasury and
Revenue departments; system Of rigid
economy is needed in every department OF
government; then, we want q sound, stable
and uniform currency, provision for pay
ing off as much of the national debt
as possible, repeal or an amendment
of the law establishing the national banks
with measures to revive the dropping industry
and the commercial and shipping interests OF
the country.
The war and the want of ability in Congress
have brought US to u condition where broad,
sweeping and speedy reforms are demanded
in every direction. Tomorrow we commence
the new year, and Congress has been in session
month within day or two, yet nothing has
been done except the sensible resolution to
prevent any further contraction of the cur
rency passed by the House OF Representatives.
AS to the bill reported by the Finance Com
mittee Of the Senate, for funding the debt and
other purposes, 1t is tumble of impracticable
propositions which should be consigned back
to the committee room and KEEP. there as a
memenio of the committees weakness. II is
true Congress has dropped the humbug i'm
parchment farce. and the country may rejoice
at this; but no thanks are due to that body
for its failure to impeach the President Mr..
johnson foored his enemies by his sagacity,
GOODNESS and conservatism, and the people by
an overwhelming vote have condemned Con-
gress for it's folly and vindictive spite.
But what is Congress likely 10 do during the
remainder of the session? Very little. 1t will
be occupied chiefly in making the next Presi-
dent, or in trying to make one. In about four
months the nominating national conventions
Of the different parties will meet. Previous to
that time there will be Stale conventions,
caucuses and oil sorts of gatherings in and out
OF Washington for the same object. Congress
man will be greatly occupied with all these
movements, and Prcsidentmaking will be the
chief theme OF discussion on the floors of both
houses. l. has always been SO in the sessions
Immediately preceding the conventions and
Presidential elections, even in ordinary times,
and it is much more likely to be SO this year,
when the issues will be great and the contest
an exciting one. lis Congress does not ap
pear to have the ability to legislate properly
upon the important matters bcfore it; but il ii
had the ability there would be poor prospect
of anything being done till the Presidential
question is settled. We must wait patiently
therefore, till the politicians have had thcil
conventions and the people have chosen Q
President. In the meantime our prospects arc
gloomy enough; for the atrocious Congress
sional negro supremacy policy in the South ia
fast destroying that part of the country and
may bring on war Of races, while the Whole
North is suffering as well from the same radical
rule. If we can bridge over the time till the
Presidential question is settled without serious
troubles aud fearful revulsion we may con-
slider ourselves fortunate. There is no hope Of
any good from the present Congress. We mus
look to the people for salvation.
The DLsturbed Condisiom Of Europe.