The national Republican., 1869-01-12
MEETING OF THE FORT Y.FIRsT
CONGRESS-.

In times like the present, when questions o
vast moment and Of exceeding gravity are
forcing themselves upon the consideration of
the National Legislature, II 10 becoming for
those whom the people have chosen as their
public servants to consider all these matters
from that high standpoint Of patriotism
which rises into a serener atmosphere than
mere party success or party squabbles. The
next Congress, though made up very largely
of the members OF the present. will peverthe'
less in many respects be very different body
ION what now dlls the halls OF legislation.
We say this out OF no captious or critical mis-.
judgment OF the Fortieth Congress. We
have rarely had a more able, patriotic, deter
mined, working Congress than the one abou'
to expire; but the condition OF nationsl affairs
during the whole period Of its existence has
been very different 10 many respects from
what II will present after the Ith OF March
Then Congress and the Executive will be in
harmony, and we have reason to believe that
the legislation will not only be wise and judi
ctous, but that 1t will have that pacific char
acteriatio which Is known to have been fore
shadowed by Gen. Grant We do not mean
that there should be any bNeklng down, any
abandonment Of great principles and Of just
and needed laws. Ga these the new Congress
should stand firm.
The Forty.Rrst Congress will meet under tn,
most favorable circumstances which can ap
pertain both to itsclf and the country. Tn
Republican members will come together 1
the assured and confident belief that they -r
masters OF the situation, and that they ca
proceed with the public business withOu
turning to the right hand OF the left or, |
plain words, without resorting to special ae,
to eircumvent an Executive with whom the
do not agree.
Moreover, II may be presumed that III
Democrats in Congress who In the House are
in respect to numbers considerably In exec
of what they number In the present-wlll eI
ert a good and healthful influence upon Il
majority, and avoiding much Of that ca
tiousness which has characterized their col
duct during the present Congress, we m.
expect a determination on their part to CIV
to President Grants Administration a "a
trial
The Forty-frst Congress will doubtless
organized on the ith of March, i'm mediately o
the expiration OF the present session. Thi
in our judgment, and we think also In th
Judgment Of the country, Is a deSider
iim much to he wished, It is of the highe
Importance that the new President shou
foreshadow his views and the questions upo
which there should be legislation. 1t seen
to us,therefore, that this new Congress shou
meet as above stated, that the incoming A
ministration may take a fresh and fair depa
ture in Its career OF prosperity and SUGGEST
which shall rebound to the greatest good O
all and to the welfare and prosperity OF tn
whole land.
There is another consideration which weigh
much In determining this question, and this
is the postponement Of the organization ii
December leaves the country many month
without Congress. In the present conditiC
OF the country this Is not wise. We tru
therefore that the next will meet on the d.