Carroll Free Press

ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS.

On Wednesday last the 29th Congress closed its labors, and with it terminated one-half of the Presidential existence of James K. Polk. There have many remarkable events transpired since the 29th Congress came into existence-events that will render its history and the history of the present Administration conspicuous in all future time;-not for any thing good and ennobling, but for much that is base, degrading, deteriorating, and heinous. With it a new impulse was given to the affairs of the nation. The path formerly followed, with such ample success, by the fathers of the Republic, has been lost sight of; and we have been rushed, headlong, into experiment after experiment, each one more reckless than its predecessor, until the affairs of Government are brought to a perfect stand,—its Treasury rendered bankrupt, and its bonds hawked about the streets of our eastern cities, begging for a pittance to keep the wheels of Government in motion. All this has been brought about in the space of two years. And for what purpose? Our Government has been plunged into war-at no time a war of defence or necessity,-in every aspect that we can view it, a war of aggression-a war of plunder—a war of robbery-a butchery of human beings for the sole purpose of taking possession of their homes and firesides-of violating their religion-their churches-their wives, and their daughters;--a war in which the sickness of the climate-the diseases peculiar to the country cut off five men to one that falls by the sword or bayonet. Our army has been marched into a neighboring Republic-without cause or provocation-without necessity or law-without even a plausible pretext, and without deigning to inform us for what cause. That war is still waged, and for what purpose? This question has been asked, time and again, but never satisfactorily answered. The doctors do not agree in their prescriptions, and the patients are left in a quandary. An impression is gaining ground that the disease will cure itself, and the services of the quacks are no longer necessary.

The objects and aims of the Administration are beginning to attract the attention of the people;-its designs upon Mexico are being freely discussed;-its frivolous pretences are closely scrutinized;-and a disposition to bring the present state of affairs to a termination is fast gaining ground. But how is this to be accomplished? If the northern members of Congress have stood firm--if they have disregarded Presidential dictation and official patronage-if the prospect of a fat office has not seduced them from the path of duty-if the Wilmot proviso has been adopted in each House of Congress; then, indeed, the war may be considered as already ended-the object for which it has been waged is cut off,-the noble stand taken-and the inducement to continue the war will no longer exist.— The moment that Congress declares that any territory acquired during the war must be free territory the war is in effect closed. It was not commenced for that purpose, and if confined to such limits, it will not long continue. But if Congress has faltered-if such a provision has failed-if the prospect is still held out that any territory of which Mexico may be robbed will be a nursery for slavery; then the war may be regarded as yet in its infancy. We will go on robbing, plundering, murdering, and butchering for months, if not years to come. An unrighteous, murderous and desolating war will be continued for the purpose of extending the precincts of slavery-of riveting its galling chains upon a people now free; the treasure of the nation will continue to be squandered,-the blood of the people spilled, and their morals sapped, for the purpose of fostering this already pampered and overgrown evil; an extra session of Congress will, in all probability, be called, and the present deplorable condition of affairs will continue for an indefinite period;-a living monument of infamy to its concoctors, and a foul and indelible blot upon our history. As yet we are in the dark, but hope that in a few days the fog will be cleared away, and that we will be able to see our position clearly.