The approaching session of Congress.
The country looks forward with profound solicitude to the approaching session of Congress for immediate action upon the currency, the great and vital question of the day.--We have already indicated what, in our opinion, is the policy which the necessities of the occasion require.
We desire now only to express the hope that we shall have action and not debate.
There is no time to be consumed in words or oratorical display.--Forensic exhibitions would be as much out of place in the present exigencies of our financial condition as on board a vessel drifting into the current that goes by
Goat Island.
The roar of
Niagara is in our cars, and Congress must bend to the oars with as few words as possible, or we go headlong over the cataract.
There are also certain things which it as important for Congress not to do as those which demand its immediate action.
It should abstain religiously from any exhibition of discord and faction.
It should abstain from that qualification of the spirit of combativeness which may find legitimate food enough in the enemy who are thundering at our gates.
If we must quarrel and fight, there are Yankees enough to satisfy all the longings of the most belligerent temperament.
Let us not entertain our enemies and dishearten our friends by rancorous controversies and dissensions among ourselves, by grumbling and fault finding, by magnifying our disasters and insisting upon finding scapegoats among ourselves to bear the load of all our misfortunes and reverses.
Such exhibitions have the worst possible effect ahead.
They discourage our friends, and induce the world at large to believe we are going to the dogs.
They have already had their influence in delaying our recognition abroad, and, if continued, will postpone that recognition indefinitely.
We should show a united front in adversity as well as prosperity, and pull altogether, if we would escape the perils by which we are environed.
Let Congress set an example to the country of harmony and forbearance, as well as of resolute determination to uphold our national honor and independence.
Such an example is due to the great cause in which the interests of one and all are alike involved, and to the brave men who are fighting our battles, and whose lofty courage and devotion should be stimulated and sustained by a compact phalanx in its rear of united public sentiment and harmonious cooperation.
