Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-12-10
General Politics,

General Politics.
AS the day for the meeting of Congress
approaches politicians are rapidly focking
to Washington, and the party Estate" is
being filled with the political programme
for the Winter. We hear very little of the
forthcoming message of the President
Either the politicians do not know what
his recommendations will be, or do not
care for them after they are made. We
shall be surprised if they are so positive
upon any subject as to give offense to
those who may differ. AT least they will
not materially interfere with the progress
of legislation which will be chalked ont by
the party leaders. Most probably he will
effect compromise by recommending
such measures az have been agreed upon
in the private caucuses OF small knots Of
distinguished politicians now hanging
about the Capital.
Cuba seems to be the leading topic of
discussion upon the political boards just
now The questions presented by the re-
belIion on that Island and our relations
thereto present some nice points for politi-
cal diplomacy, and we ure led to think
that the vascillating course of the Admin
istration will be followed by Congress-
Much pressure will be brought to bear for
the struggling Republic" and the
"rebels " of Cuba will find friends among
those who most ardently hate the ''rebels"
of the South, but that our Government is
in any condition, without regard to it's
sympathies, to take any definite action we
do not believe. "Free Cuba " must fight
it's own battles and content itself with the
sympathies of the United States.
Chinese immigration must necessarily be
subject of consideration by Congress.
Our National Legislature cannot longer
ignore the rapidly increasing influx of this
population into our country. The atten-
ton of the politicians will necessarily be
drawn somewhat from Sambo to John Chi
naman, and we doubt not that the shrewd
leaders who have so readily converted the
negro into formidable political allies, will
undertake to still further fortify them
selves behind reinforcements from the
"Flowery Empire" Amendments to the
Constitution will supply the necessary ma
chinery to insure the work. The immigra-
ton of these people cannot now be stopped,
and their numbers and increasing impor-
lance demand consideration from the Gov
eminent.
Contraction of the currency and resump-
ton of specie payments will form one of
the most important features of domestic
legislation. The return to specie pay
ments may seem, and doubtless is, desira-
bic, but the difficulties attending it will be
fatal to the Immediate prosperity Of the
West and South. The agriculturalists of
the country are in no condition now to IN
dergo even a temporary contraction of the
currency, and We look to see the represen-
tatives from the West and South fighting
all measures looking to this end at every
point The commercial centres of the
North desire greatly return to q reliable
and stable currency, but it cannot now be
accomplished only by so much suffering in
other parts of the Union that business
there will languish more on this account
than from the fluctuations in their money
markets. We hope to see the whole coun
try soon in condition that specie pay
ments can be resumed with advantage.
1t is not to be supposed that jaundiced
politicians, whose war upon the South be-
gan only after the surrender of our armies,
have ceased their hostilities. By no
means. Bills are being prepared and will
be presented early in the session looking
to still further legislation upon ''recon-
struction." Virginia's admission is to be
opposed; the Supreme Court is to be still
further shorn of its powers and indepen-
dence. 1t must be deprived of all power
10 review the political decisions of Con-
gress. And Forney returns from Macon,
not yet entirely recovered from the well
come and cheer extended to him by Geor-
gians, and twice daily beseeches Con-
gress to upset the Government of that
State and put Legislature in power in
harmony with its Radical Governor. We
expect the occasion of this visit, in which
he finds so much to admire in the material
advancement of the people, and in their
social habits and demeanor, will be artful-
ly used as the grounds of the continued
exclusion of the Senators and Representa-
tlves OF Georgia from Congress. He
will have seen something, or heard some
thing while there which will confirm the
dislOyalty of the DeODle Their kindnass