The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-07

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that our national legislators really ''mean busf.
ness" However, remembering the old adage
about ''new brooms that sweep clean,' We
shall walt in fear and trembling for further
developments before giving way to jnbllation
on the subject. II is to be hoped, however,
for the profit and credit Of the nation, that
at moment of such profound interest to
both Continents the bearing and action Of the
American Congress will be such as TO confirm
the reliance that our people place in 1t at
home and impose respect upon the warning
and agitatcd communities abroad. Chrsten-
dom-nay, we may add the whole worlds
convulsed while we write as it rarely has
been since the commencement of the Christian
era. Three great races arc struggling for
unity under liberal law, and with forms Of
government assimilating gradually to our own.
One mighty nation which, just az the secon
session of the present Congress was
closing, stood at the head Of existing
military empires is now struggling for
existence as republic; another holding
at that same hour but second rate position
has become, Individually, arbiter for tho time
being of European peace or war; third, pre-
viousy divided and crippled, like q body with
half paralyzed heart, has resumed possess
sion of its whole territory, and claims high,
decided rank among settled and established
Powers Meanwhile the United States have
gone forward in the path Of complete recon-
struction, on the basis of equal rights under
the law to all men, and propitious seasons
have combined with skilful labor to tertllze
their fields, beautify their cities, fill all their
granaries and throng their marts. Liberty and
plenty are seen hand in hand, awaiting wisdom
to perpetuate their reign.
Such situation, we repeat it, calls for
peculiarly digniied, and at the same time
Industrious, attitude on the part of those who
take counsel together for the honor and safety
of the Great Republic. The eyes of other
nations, now in the very agony Of supreme
trial, are turned to us for light, and as we
shall do at this hour 50 may they be Influenced.
Washington swarms with agents, lobbymen,
land jobbers and social creatures of prey of
every class, who have gathered in from all
points of the compass to pluck ont the eyes
and pick the bones Of the expiring Forty
first Congress. The harvest is ripe,
they believe, and the revel they expect
to be complete while the custodians of the
country's interests are diverted from their
watchfulness by preparations for an early
departure. But we trust that this tim, these
ill-omened birds are TO be mistaken in the
result, and that in the presence of events
which admonish all free governments to closer
heed and more dligent work they are to
receive check severe and decisive.
The Senate mot at the usual hour and pro-
ceeded quickly to business. the salient features
of which were the introduction of bill to
repeal the sections of the act of 1870 continu-
ing the income tax after the 3lst Of December
last, and Mr.. Sherman's resolution calling
for documentary information from the Sccre-
tary of the Treasury touching the transportation
Of foreign goods in bond to Canada through
this country.
The House was enlivened by the instal!a-
ton of three new members filing vacancies,
and by o lively muster Of land grant specula-
tors, who soon began to show vigorous signs
Of life Three bills to repeal the income tax
were introduced-the first droppings of q
shower that may be expected-and then the
st. Croix River Railroad grant was taken up
and explained by Mr.. Wilson, Of Minnesota,
who announced the quantity of acres required
to be no more than q million. This quiet
demand was debated amid determined oppo-
sition and a little strategy among outsiders
and was at last laid on the table by 80 to So
Mr.. Reeves, Of this State, offered an excellent
shipping bill worthy of future special notice.
Mr.. Logan, of Illinois, carried Of the sensa-
tional honors Of the sitting by his proposal to
abolish the Office Of Admiral in our navy alto
gether, and that OF Vice Admiral so soon as a
vacancy shall occur-a movement that looks
very much like rods in pickle for two or three
digni1ed and prominent Vikings of this repub-
lie. Mr.. Hale objected to so summary an on
slaught, but Mr. Logan only grew fiercer from
opposition, and announced that he should
move suspension of the rules on Monday next
and urge the passage Of the bill. Retrenchment
was again honored by the revival of the bill
abolishing the ranking privilege; vigilance
lifted her head with Mr.. Hald3man, of Penn
sylvania, who ee.too-1ed q resolution to investi-
gate the correctness Of the census returns and
offended national pride found voice in Mr..
Banks, of Massachusetts, calling upon the
Navy Department for its correspondence with
Rear Admiral Poor, on the West India station,
relative to the search of American vessels by
the Spaniards during the first six months of
the present year. The latter point has an
American glitter to it. Can it be possible that
we are, at last, to have spirit in Congress
rising so high and speaking such round, sono-
rous words, so full of meaning for the people
that the Cabinet and the national Legislature
snail De discovered side by side in protecting
tho traa ruro fostarinn the c0mmerca and VII.