Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-11-29
CONGRESS-.

Congress meets on Monday next
The session Will be one of the most
important since our civil war Grave
questions of finance and war, will come
before it; the former involving the
material prosperity of the country the
latter its honor and standing among
the nations. 1t is to be hoped that
prudence, wisdom, and apatriOtic re-
gard for the interest and honor of the
country, will govern its deliberations.
In the last few months, a great fin
ancial crisis has paralyzed the indus
tries and commerce of the country.
Experience has demonstrated that
the financial system of the country,
needs reformation-tha monopolies,
which have been fosterCd by the gov
eminent, are dangerous to the pros
perity of the people-that the crea-
ton of irresponsible corporations by
national legislation, the giving away
of millions Of public land to such cor
porations; licenses n wholesale plum
dering of the people, and threatens
the stability Of the government itself.
To these questions, Congress must
give its most serious and intelligent
consideration.
There must be no haste or partizau-
ism. The only test of merit, is expe-
rience, and by the light OF experience,
these questions must be solved, if the
true interests of the country are to be
subserved. In dealing with these
questions, the motto of Congress
should be chew to the line, let the
chips fall where they may"
The Cuban outrage, is another grave
issue before the incoming Congress.
Shall we have peace or war? Peace on
honorable terms, is most desirable;
but if one lot or little of national
honor, is to be sacrificed to maintain
peace, then let us have war. Such is
the sentiment of the people, and We
hope that congress will reflect that
sentiment.
In dealing with the Cuban question,
Congress should not look to the
promises OF the Spanish Governments
SO much, as it should look to the
ability of that government, to carry
out its pledges. Experience teaches
that Spain is powerless to control af-
fairs in Cuba. Hence apologies are
nothing, guarantees are nothing when
the ability to make them good is
wanting, No sentimental regard for
the ''so-called.,' Republic of Spain.
should influence congress in this mat
ter. Spain is simply European Next
co, and is ruled by the devils of dis
cord and plumber. To-day, CASTELAR,,
is Chief-to-morrow, it may be a Com
munist-the next day, Don Carlos,
or Alphonso, or God knows who !
American honor, the sanctity of the
American flag upon the high Seas,
the safety of 4 merican citizens in
Cuba, and elsewhere demand the
punishment of the butchers of Santa
go de Cuba. This much Congress
should demand, or proclaim war.
These grave questions the incoming
Congress must meet, and we hope it
will meet them, rs becomes the repre-
sentative body of the great Roman
Republic of modern times.
The death of Hon. John 2. Hale.
which occurred at his home in Dover,
n. H, is announced. He was born in
1906, and, after occupying many i'm
portant positions in his native State,
he was, in 1877, elected to the United
States Senate. He was nominated in
1852, by the Free-soil party, for Pres
ident, and with General Scott, who
was the Wing candidate, was defeat
ed by franklin Pierce. He was again