, 1868-12-25
The Merit Congress.

The democrats, says the National Intelli>
qeacer, will elect probably not less than
eichty-fve to ninetymembers of fCongress, but
as the convenience of the republicans will be
seriously interfered with by the presence Of
SO large number, we may be sure that
enough of these viii be unseated, on one pre-
text or another, SO as to retain the two thirds
majority for the radical party. By expelling
some ten members this object will be accom-
plished, and in anticipation of a repetition of
the disgraceful precedents of the last Con-
gress, quite a number of republicans are
already announcing their purpose to contest
the seats of the democratic members. The
Chicago Tribune warns its followers against
excessive indulgence in this luxury, but 10
vain. There are some forms of vice where
Just shade of apprehension helps to heighten
the pleasure of the tra1sgressor, and this,
perhaps, is one of them. This sort of thing
will be safe enough just yet; the infamy is
already incurred, why not go on !? Among
the new members returned is the Hon. S. S.
Cox, formely member from Ohio, but for
some four years past practicing law iD New
York City. Mr.. Cox has $500 majority
over his republican competitor he should
be allowed to retain his seat-a very doubts
full thing, if we consider the uuscrupulous
character of the majority-he will be great
addition to the democratic side He has a
ripe political experience, and is keen par.
liamentarian, ready and efficient debator,
and rather more than match for the best
man on the other side. Mr.. Voorhees,, of
Indiana, went 10 Congress some years ago
by 500 majority but he was by far too elo-
quent a champion Of, democracy to be per>
mitted to hold his seat. He is now elected
by majority of something over hundred,
and if allowed to hold on, he would be far
more than thorn in the side of the Jacob
ins than he was formerly. We imagine that
his case will be hurried up very promptly
by those who do not dare to encounter him
in debate. If, however, by a passing spasm
of virtue, an exceptional freak of fair play,
Mr.. Voorhees, be suffered to stay in, we shall
have speeches from him which will be some
compensation to those who have suffered
under the rant of previous Congress. In a
year or two more the republican party, which
is already disintregrating, will be too weak
to bar the way to eminent worth and talent
-~-~--~-e%-~~~--~
GREAT INCREASE OF CURRENCY. The
New York Journal of Commerce (good au.
lhOrity) states that the circulation in this
country of paper money and coin on the list
of January, 1861, was about 400,OOOO0O.
The present paper circulation is little over
100000, 900, including bank notes, legal
tenders, aud fractional currency. The Chi
cago Tri6une's financial editor accepts this
estimate as substantially correct, but adds
that it is we'll know there is a very large
amount of specie in circulation, not only in
the Pacific States, but in use by merchants
and importers 10 all the States. He therefore
thinks it is fair to make that addition to the
estimate of the currency now With the in
creased and extended business of the country
now as compared with 1860, it is fair to pre-
sumo that there is as much gold in circula-
ton now, as the Journal of Commerce indi-
Gates was in circulation in 1861, viz /: $780,.
100000. If, then, we add this sum to the
present paper circulation of ga little over
S700, 100000" we have 100000, 900. De
duct, then, for depreciation of the paper
money as compared with gold, say, $780,.
000, 900, and we have $3.50, 100000, leaving
an increase of $3.50, 10000 of actual pur>
chasing value in 1868, as compared with
1861. Whether this increase of $3.50, ,000,-
900 (says the Tribune is sufficient to ac
commodate the increased amount and exten
ded connections of the business of the United
States, can only be determined when business
shall be released from the paralysis now pro,
duced BY the stoppage in the crop movement
and the locking-up schemes of the New
York stock brokers. The Indications are thai
the Western merchants and bankers, through
their representatives 10 Congress, will bt
pressing some schemes for an increase of tn,
paper currency of the Nation. The entire
circulating medium of the Nation now is no
as great as was the paper currency of lS64-5
that being at that time over 81 200, 900, 900
: -~~~~~~~--<o%-~-~----~
LTcENTIoUsNEss AND IMMoRAITY,-Tht
increase Of liceutiousuess in this country il
pronounced to be very great, and the lat
civil war pronounced to be the most proli6,
; cause of this. The clergy and boasted phil
anthropists who believe in war and who ar
ready to get up another, ifneed be, in vindi
> cation of their extreme opinions, says th
: Reporter, will please take notice. Preach
: ing politics 10 the pulpit also has drivel
y people beyond the good influence of religion
/. and in turn into the vortex of the world
H..