The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-12-22
CONGRESS VERSUS THE PEOPLE.

In legislation, as in all work, success is
only attained by Selling upon the strong
points of the situation first. Perspective
is the essential requisite of the artist. He
must see things at their proper distances
and form correct ideas of their relative
size. To the statesman also this quality of
mind is indispensable. The subjects of
legislation are numerous and pressing,
but they cannot all be considered at once.
The true statesman seizes upon that one
first, which lies nearest to the
welfare of the people. Woe to the
people, if among these representatives
there is no clear perspective vision if
all things look alike, and Insignificant LEGAL
claims shut out from their eyes the
solemn and majestic demands of the
masses, robbed, outraged, and suffering
under the heel of oppression!
The present Congress has shown SO far
iearfully defective vision. 1t has wasted
its time in wretched buncombe speeches,
and now when its working days have come
it disperses for half month under the
miserable pretext, that it must 60 home
and ask the people what to do.
What have these members been doing
the past year since they were elected
How happens it that leaving the people
only twenty days ago, they have no knowl-
edge of their wants? There can be no
doubt that the people expected Congress
at once to take vigorous measures to re.
lieve the stringency of the money market
There were certain great measures, simple
and clear in their nature and results, upon
which men of common sense and common
honesty could not fail to agree. But these
have been neglected and thrust aside,
for such miserable trash as the salary bill
and the bankrupt law. These measures
should have their place for consideration,
but they are utterly insignificant compared
with this mighty and overshadowing ques-
ton of the currency. They involve small
sums of money and are only questions of
expediency. The currency question in
wolves principles lying at the re,y. foundation
Of tie public liberty, The dearest and most
sacred interests of home, and the safety of
ecery man and acoman aoho lioes by an honest
employment in This broad land.
The President called the attention of
Congress prominently to this subject in his
annual message. Several bills involving
the just principle, Of allowing allthe people
10 buy money Of the government on equal
terms, and thus place it in reach of the
business of the country, have been intro
duced. Any one of them, if passed,
would have restored confidence, and
brought out money from its hiding place to
relieve suffering industry. But they have
been crowded out by the petty reports
upon which Congress has wasted twenty
precious days.
The money ring has thus far triumphed !,
and their baneful sway is promised new
fields in which to plumber. In adjourning
over without passing, or seriously attempt
ing to pass, some thorough measure of
relief, Congress has shamefully neglected
its duty to the people, and deserves their
seyerest censure. Every citizen and every
newspaper should speak to these gentle
men in no doubtful tones for their derelic-
ton. The ring are at Washington in great
force. They can afford to pay millions
for the continuance of this monopoly of
the currency. To save their rotten hulks
from ruin they press the repeal of the
bankrupt act. 10 sink and destroy all
values and wreck the fair ship of honest
industry and trade they oppose the just
demand that money shall be equally ac-
cessible TO all who bring bonds to buy it
at the treasury Of the United States. This
Ring has possession Of the leading infu.
ence in Congress to-day, and it is for the
people TO rise and break its malignant
power.