Year: 1866

Monday, the Third of December 1866. will be a
marked day in our history, not only as that upon
which our XXXIXth Congress met, but also as one
upon which. without any preparatory confusion or
preliminary nonsense both branches Of the Legsls
ture went promptly and inteligcnty to work TO es-
tabsh the social peace and commercial prosperity OF
the country upon basis at once polite and perna-
nent Every student Of history upon reading the de-
tail Of the first days proceedings will be reminded Of
the energetic aacrity with which the Parliament OF
Charles L. in lG29, began ia session by appointing
committees to inquire into the royal usurpatons, aud
by protests against the Illegal raising of revenue by
the King. But the English Parliament met only to
be dissolved and to Leave the country for eleven long
and weary years in the power of an absolute aud ire
spOnsibe and INSCRIPTIONS despot No such bitter
misfortune can beiall the American people. In time
like this we understand the strength and the policy
of our representative system and especially OF the
opportunities which il secures for the resher and
fuller expression Of the public will. Frequent cleo
tions, the saety-vaves of popular emotion, also
constant checks upon the conduct of individual men,
bers. The day of Judgment is always at band Almost
every hour constituencies may audit the accounts
of their stewards. The morning and the evening
mail carry to every mans door transcript OF the
journal of either House, a summary of the debates,
and an exact statement Of the position Of all leg
islative business. The doiDgs Of Congress are read
by every iresde in every country house. in every
workshop upon every railway and steamboat, and
with equal though different interest by all classes OF
menread ntclligently, judged honestly and decisive
ly applauded or condemned Each little District
takes care Of its member, and the result is an
aegfegste OF scrutiny and vigilance from which no
Representative can hope to be exempt. 1t is, there
fore, no mere rhetorical fight when some legislative
orator reminds his fellows Of ceaselesS public
yeillance and excaims "The eyes of the people are
upon US" This is only the statement of plain mat
ter of fact. The press takes care that the
country shall not err for lack of information
Speeches, motions, resolutions, reports, the yeas
and Maya deliberations in full session and dongs in
committee what is said in the caucus, and what is
done in the lobby-the public knows it all. No
Member of Congress can make an ass or
knaye of himself in corner. As a public man,
he will fnd il nearly impossible 10 have any secret
Whatever correspondents think worth getting they
commonly contrive 10 possess themselves oil; aud
the pet project Of the closest-mouthed manager
may any fine morning 70 his utter astonisbment, oe





trumpeted 70 all the four corners Of the Union. All
Gins of omission and OF commission daily recorded;
corrupt bargains are discovered and proclaimed; fool
.h freaks of orstory literally reproduced and re-
morselessly rdicued; and if Representative be in
competent untrustworthy, swaggerer, swindler'
or sot those whose agent be is have at least an op
portuny of revising their Judgment and OF sendnga
better man to do his work. If he stays in Congress
it is because bis constituency is no better than
himself.


What we have ssd Of the immediate responsibility
Of Congress is true at all times, but how specially
true it is at this moment need hardly point out.
For months TO come the transactions OF the National
Legislature will occupy the whole mind and heart oil
the nation; the debates if they be worthy oil the
emergency. will be read with breathless interest, and
the decisions which are arrived at will be considered
and Qsnyssed With tho shay scrutiny Of sefRwssrVs-