The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1868-11-18
The Meeting orConCress

lne Meetlns ot Congress.
In few days the last session Cd the For
tieih Congress SiIl commence its labors at
Washington. Under the Constitution its
term must close IN the 4th of March, 1869.
As this bcdy has invariably, in all its polit-
ical acts, utterly disregarded that instru
ment, it may not, however, adjourn that
day, but hold over to some indefinite peril
od. But as it is 20 be succeeded by Con-
gress Of the same siIipo, ulhough contain
lns far less majority, we will take it for
granted that in this instance it viii obey
the Constitution. and relieve the country
of its hateful and obnoxious presence. In
tins short session Of three months and a
half, what will be dom? On this point we
have very distinct views, derived from the
character OF the members anl the history
Of the past. Their business will be princi-
rally to steal from The National Treasury
and to look out for fat and soft places un>
der the incoming Administration. Many
of the members have not been reelected,
and will bid final adieu to public life on
the 4th of March. With this class the
principal business will be, to use the old
homely adage, to make hay while the sun
shines"
We anticipate from the coming session,
therefore, the greatest amount of rnclean
AMI nefariuus legislation, both financial ard
political. The Funding Bill, to pay the
bonds in gold, will very likely be passed.
The most extreme measures Of revenge
against the Southern States, which can be
devised 10 the brain of malignancy, will
most likely become laws. These measures,
to r,piiiate the party and to render ii
blind to theft, will be adopted to serve as a
cover for the individual derreda,ions of the
members upon the treasury.
There I as never been Congress so reck'
less in this respect. ln1eed, the worst we
have had has been virtuous in comparison,
aul its last session will be the most vllai-
nous Of all 1t will endeavor to pass
measures and have them in the full tide OF
successful experiment when Grant takes the
Presidential chair, so that it can urge that
it is wise policy not to disturb them. But
its other most distinguishing character will
be its rush ior office. Almost every mem,
her will expect to be Cabaet Minister OIL
foreign diplomat. Trey will Industrious
ly pull the wires to that onl. As nine'
tenths of them arc hound to be disappo;nt-
ed, it will be funny to hear their CALCULATIONS
after their defeat, which will be in no sense
complimentary to the Administration. The
country has reason to look to the Assem-,
bling of this body of men with the greatest
concern and uneasiness. While it is in a
state Of adjournment we have compara'
tive season of peace aud repose. But when
it commences, the volcano fires of politica
agitation and sectional hate burst forth il
all their consuming power and devastating
effect. The time was when the American
people looked with hope and with gladness
to an approaching session of the Nationa
Legislature. But that time has passed
and it is the adjournment and not the as
semblng which creates any feeling of joy
Of the Fortieth Congress this can witt
truth be cminently sa,d. 1t has been {
mischief making conclavc from the begin
ming Of its career. There has been nothin!
odous in political philosophy, in the litera
seizure Of Government or in its practica
administration, to which it has not resorted
1t has been the base save of its own preiu
diccs and Of party passions, rather thai
the representative of free and intelligen
constituency. Its role in history will b
that of unexceled intamy.
We are glad to know that there is pros
peet of the country bting relieved Of it afte
the 4th of March next, and that its vulga,
and tyrannical rule will then cease. 1t i
fortunate for the reputation of Genera
Grant and the Forty-Grst Congress tha
they come into administration after thi
Notorious body dissolvcs. Unless they arr
inconceivably bad they will have brigh
record, on a comparative basis, with THEN
predecessors. In noticing the last snseio,
Of this aggravated conclave of political dis
ease, We can not forbear from alluding tc
the fact that it wa1 the first representative
body in this country which ever sought an
attained supreme and arbitrary power Dul
ing its administration it has seized upon tn
functions of the President of the Unitet
States, and reduced him in rank to mert
clerk or servant of its own body. 1t ha
destroyed the Judicial power, and degrade,
| tlnt ~ bo a.,
point even halow that to which it has as
signed the Executive. Since it convene
we have been under its sway, the Consttn
tinn having no more effect in c,ntr olling it
deliberations than a piece of wastc-pape
thrown into the basket. 1t has resemble
the long Rump Parliament of England
without its dignity OF charater or its homes
ty and sincerity Of purpose.
By partisan speculation. and ty unha
lowed gain, made through corrupt sources
its leading members are understood now t
be immensely wealthy, and to be in pos
ition where retiracy will only hide TIL
means by which they acquired wealth, with
out interfering with the pleasure and en-
joyment of its expenditure. From thi
body of reckless political SPECTATORS an,
dishonest gamblers with the fate and for
tunes Of the people, every thing bad is t
be apprehended; and its appearance a
Washington will be like that Of a threaten
ing comet in the political heavens
| -----sazS--~ -~6sxr-
CURIOUS TERMINATION OF A MURDEt
TRGAL.-A murder trial met with a curl
Gus termination in Henry county, Ill, weeI
before last. The case was trial of a mar
named Hamilton on an indictment for mur