CONGRESSIONAL MORALS.
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CONGRESSIONAL MORALS.


There is much speculation afoat as TO the in
tellectual character Of the present House Of Re-
presentatiyes. From the great predominance OF
Locofocoism in that body, we are led TO argue
rather unfayorably Of the capacity Of the House
ultraism being more essential requisite with
the Locofoco party than mental ability What
ever may be our apprehensions on this score, we
trust that the moral character of the present
House will be superior to some of its predeces-
sors. The dignity and influence Of the popular
branch Of Congress have been much impaired
Of late years by the violent debates and personal
quarrels that have occurred during the sessions
Men, in no degree remarkable for their attain
ments or endowments, have obtained notoriey
by their ungentlemanly conduct on the floor of
the House that is discreditable to the nation as
well as their immediate constituency. The con-
t'nuance OF such breaches Of private and public
decency must inevitably render the House ineff-
clent as an organ Of the popular will, and degrade
the character Of the people of the American
Union.


We hope that the first requisite in the candi-
date for Speaker will be the determination and
ability to preserve order. 1t is in the power Of
the Speaker to check personalities between the
members, and to prevent the occurrence of scenes
on the floor which sometimes lead to disas-
trous results out OF the House. Above all things,
let us trust for the sake of humanity and public
mn hot 4 tho ~fH IL.
longer be resorted to as weapons of arbitration
in personal quarrels. The time is past when a
man was justi6able in adjusting his real or
feigned grievances by taking the life Of his ad-
til the world shall lapse again into the brutal
chivalry Of feudalism. Public opinion has now
become SO much ameliorated by the humanizing
influences Of Christianity that it will no longer
tolerate duelling as civilized custom. The
duellist is now looked upon as murderer,
who kills with deadly aim and malice afore-
thought, but according to the rules of an OBJ
solete code Of honor, which is tolerable only
for its antiquity, and which is gradually becom-
ing obliterated beneath the reforming hand q
Christian civilization Degrading as is the char
acter Of Locofocoisn, and obnoxious as are its
principles TO the social and political welfare of
the Union, we yet believe that policy, if nothing
else, will induce its representatives SO TO bear
themselves as to save us from the degradation
10 which they have hitherto reduced the hall OF
the House Of Representatives The first act,
we are much afraid, will be an act Of violence
the admission of the members illegally elected
by general ticket That done, we shall believe
the present House capable of any iniquity.