National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-02-25
THEN AND NOW.


The adjournment of Congress over Mon
day as a recognition of the celebration of
the anniversary of Washington's birthday
appears to have been spasmodic exhibition
of sentimental patriotism, as unexpected as
it was unnecessary. We cannot object to
it on the grounds of public economy, be-
cause it is possible that the recess was
matter of profit to the Government. Never
theless, when SO much eagerness is evinccd
by the leaders in both Houses to bring the
session to a rapid close, it seems strange
that the session was not continued regard
less of the character Of the day. 1t is not
long since Mr.. Beck announced his willing
ness to meet for night sessions in order to
expedite business, and Mr.. Dawes proposed
to fix day of final adjournment at date
which indicated his purpose not to allow
waste of time in idle debate. 1t is true
that night sessions have occasionally been
held by the House for the purpose of re-
vising the laws; but they have been at
tended only by Mr.. Poland, who has
charge of the committees report, and few
struggling members, whose homes were
probably unattractive, or had nothing else
to do. 1t is possible that to majority of
the members the revision is subject of
little interest, and that their absence rather
aided than otherwise the desired and effec-
tive progress made. tits also possible that,
reposing extraordinary confidence in the in
tegrity of the revising committee and Mr..
Poland's ability, they were satisfied to let
him have his own way. But. from any
view of the case, we are forced to believe
that the majority of the House is inclined
to shift responsibility upon the shs: :!ders of
others, and to evade the requirements of
plain duty. The same cannot be said of
the Senate, however, for the evident reason
that majority of that body are talking
men," and each individual member isready
at all times to ''make record" even upon
the most trivial subject.
But there is another view of the case
which is encouraging. We had occasion,
not long ago, to entreat Congress to return
to the old fashioned patriotism which ex-
hibited itself on Fourth fully occasions in
style Of eloquencc and recognition Of the
power of the people, which, to say the least,
would be exceedingly novel in these days
Of railroad and monopoly rule. We have
in our midst an organization, the Oldest In
habitants' Association, which has preserved
the customs of that old-fashioned period,
and we may gather useful lesson from
their proceedings when they assemble, a.
they did on Monday, to celebrate an ami
versary of Q national character. They re-
vive memories of the almost forgotten past
and its customs, which serve to mark con-
trast between the hurry and skurry of TO-
day, and the conduct of public affairs before
the war. It Is not 20 long after all since the
customs which we now. call old fashioned
fell into disuse, for they were current
throughout the entire country up to the
breaking out Of the war. No doubt the
excitement and the general Reorganization
Of things which resulted from the war had
much TO do with the abandonment Of the
tinle-honored usages. Practical patriotism
supplantcd that Of tho spouting kind, and
the Fourth-ofJulY oratofs who were afraid