Year: 1861




The first regular session OF the thlrty-
alyenth congress opeus to-day. ol ihe talr'y-
Ave STATES nine will be wholly unrepresent'd, d,
and three others will probably be represented
only in part. The politica. classification OF the
list which we publish may not be literally cor
rect, and certainly gives no Indication OF the
divisions likely to be made on any ot the-great
ouestions which will be considered. With the
execution OF three in the senate and tIght or
ten in the house, it is united and enthusiastic
war congress, and every bold measure "i l"e
president against the rebellion VIII De sustain
ed by maioriies unparalleled in the history Oh
liberal governments.


Itm may require tie exercise OF the wiSeS'
prudence and craftsmanship TO prevent It's
strength from becoming source OF weakness,
and to keep The sense OF its duties from being
lost sight OF in the confident assurance OF It's
power. The absence OF the seditlous minority
lessons the difficulty OF legislation, without
affecting The responsibility oi those who re-
main faithful at their posts. Meeting at such
an extraordinary period, with the civilized
world as witness of its deliberations, with
the lives OF many thousands OF our own people,
and The friendship Of the great nations con
tingent on the result OF its counsels, it will be
constrained to act with all the prudence and
discretion il can command. What policy 1t
will choose 10 pursue ON The only great
question incidental to the war, about which
public sentiment is at all divided will be soon
enough developed; but whatever ii may be, 1t
is certain that nothing will be tolerated in the
light of a compromise, and all just measures
looking to speedy triumph OF our arms will
b. favorab!y considered.


Some indications have already been given
of the views held by members of the cabinet,
and of either branch OF congress, (which encour-
age the belief that the government will soon
place itself unreservedIy on the side of free
dom, if not for its own sake, then at least for
the sake of restoring peace and the pubic
safety Ii is not necessary, il it were posi-
ble to indicate i'll what precise way the gov
ernment might make such policy effectual
the means and the instruments will be ready
when the purpose is formed We have great
faith in the enlarged views ants liberal states
manship of the present congress. In its con
trolling sentiments it approaches nearer 10 the
character of the carly congresses than any we
have had for many years, and holds the doc
trines of the Declaration of Independence
the fundamental principles OF free. enlight-
ened, and christian government- in as high
respect as any of the thirty-six that have pre-
ceded it. Ii woull be contrary to all prece
dents if the legislation OF such congress does
not resemble, IN its spirit and intent, the legiS-
lation OF that better period when the public
conscience had not been demorazed aud de-
bauched by the malign influence OF the servile
institution.


Now, too, for the first time, that arrogant
and donlineering system, the fountain OF more
woes to this government than the wrath of
Achilles brought upon Greece is beggar for
favor Some of lis old defenders still counsel
gentle treatment, the administering OF lenitiyes
and restoratives, until the storm winch it has
raised passes by. Others go sill further and
assert the necessity of slavery as an element
in some future reconstruction of the states, a
basis for compromise, solid preteXt for peace.
1t is most fortunate ior the perpetuity and
the fame OF this republic that the representa-
tives Of these unwise counseilors are not
now the controllers OF our destiny. During
the darkest hour Of this remarkable year, it
has afforded sweet consolation to be assured
that the republic was in the hands Of men in
whose theories OF government liberty and
equal rights were thought worthy to be the
corner stones. The events Of the year have
kept this question in the front OF this great
debate. Two generations have dealt with it
as they thought best; but it is sill a living
question. The fathers ate sour grapes and the
childrens teeth are set on edge. 1t will be
fortunate and happy for all who will come af
ter US il this vexed question, this .jay' errant,
this disturber of national peace, is now laid in
its grave forever.