National Republican., 1877-09-17
CONGRESS-.
The American Congress in the very be-


ginning of its history became a noted body
throughout the world The wisdom of its
sction and the eloquence and ability Of its
debates commanded universal admiration.
The fame which the fathers ofthe Republic
achieved will not seem strange, when II is
considered that very large proportion of
The members of the early Congresses were
college graduates aud possessed of very
high degree Of culture for those times.
Statistics show that in recent times the
proportion Of scholarly men in public life
has materially declined. This fact in part
explains why it has long been a just cause
Of complaint that too much time is con-
sumcd in Congress In vapid debates, making
the Congressional Record such dreary waste
Of inanities that mortal men will seldom
have patience to search for the gems which
he hidden In the huge rubbish pile. 1t is
very manifest that we need more men Of
thorough culture in public life. Americans
are now noted more for flucncy IN speaking
than for accuracy Of thought. A majority
Of such productions are distinguished
chiefly for crudnoss and illogicalness. Sub
iects arc treated without any breadth Of
view or knowledge Of what previous in
auiries have discovered. Those are fewcst
IN number who are qualified by preliminary
scholarly culture to treat a subject like the
finances, for example, in such q manner as
70 throw new light upon 1t.
Government being a science which con-
Germs the proloundest interests of mankind,
Its true principles can only be learned by
careful study, long observation and practi-
cal experience Our statesmen too fire.
Quently attempt to elucidate the most inn
portant subjects without any other knowl-
edge than that derived from the hasty
pcrusal of a few popular authors, instead of
deyoting their time to years OF profound
and practical study. Hence they give ut
teance to narrow, one-sided views, in which
no regard whatever is paid to tue bearing
which the legislation required ior one sub
ject has upon that necessary for many
others.
Fortunately the general tone Of Ameri-
can society has lately been SO much ele-
waited that there is now n large and influen-
Hal body Of men in the nation who exercise
no inconsiderble influence in the torma-
tion Of public opinion. Although the
scholar is not 10 any extent in politics, his
mature thought Is acquiring every day more
potency in the public councils. The pen of
The retired student not unirequently defeats
The most cunning schemes OF the political
caucus.
At no time since the foundation Of the
Republic has its condition called for wiser
craftsmanship than that which the next
Congress will be required to display if it
succeeds in the task of restoring permanent
prosperity to the country. Principles which
would utterly subvert all law and order are
10 be put down. The tariH, finances, civil
service reform and internal Improvements
will all claim attention, any one of which
subjects alone would afford abundant work
for Congress in addition to it's routine
hbors. 1t will, therefore, behoove the
members at the next session to devote
themselves to hard work If they wish to ac-
somplish what the country expects Of them.
II would be difficult to overestimate the
dignity and importance Of Congress- There
is no other body on the globe equal to it in
these respects, except perhaps the British
Parliament. The telegraph and the daily
press place the members of Congress unde,
the surveillance Of the entire nation, fol
their words scarcely cease to echo in the
halls of the Capitol until they are read in
the remotest regions of the Republic More.
ever the intellectual attractions of Wash.
ington have already drawn hither ma ny
cultivated men, and their numbers will
continually increase. They will closely
observe and severely criticize the efforts OF
members, and soon bring mere bombast into
merited contempt. Owing to these causes
the influence Of ignorant and inefficient
members of Congress will grow continually
smaller. Emptiness, turgidity and bombasl
will hereafter be at discount in Washing.
ton. This enlightened public sentiment
cannot but have "a most beneficial influence
It will teach constituencies that if they wish
TO be influential in this great theatre Of
national affairs they must send competent
men to the National Capital rs their repre-
sentatves. The honor is q very high one
and the people should always be wis,
enough to confer it upon the most worthy
Above all, they should remember is tina,
solid sense and intellectual culture will al
ways be more valuable here than mer
huency Of speech.