The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-21

whole steady, yesterday. Governments were Inactive
Gold closed at 148
The President and General chant ON
Southern Restoration-The Radicals
Flankcd.
President Johnson, supported by General
Grant, that great master of the art of flank
movements, has handsomely fanked the radi-
cal leaders of the Senate, and cut off their re-
treat The special message to that body, in
response 10 resolution calling for certain in
formation in reference to the condition Of the
Southern States, furnished information which
will be very gratifying to the country at large,
but which was gall and NORWOOD to the i'm
placable radical, Sumner The President speaks
encouragingly of the loyal temper and inclina-
tons Of the Southern people, and entertains no
doubt "that they will, at worry early period,
be in q condition to resume all their practical
relations with the federal government" Most
of the reclaimed States have ratified the oonsti-
tutional amendment "and in nearly oil Of them
measures have been adopted, or are now pend
ing, to confer upon the freedmen the privileges
which are essential to their comfort, protection
and security" General Grant, from his per-.
sonal observations, during his late Southern
reconnaissance from. the Potomac to the Savan-
nah river, cordially sustains these views Of the
President. 1t is evident that the general effect
upon the Senate Of these encouraging reports
was good; but instead Of softening the wrath
of Sumner they infamed it to an uncontrol-
liable fury.
ave have" said he, 90 message from the
President which Is like the white washing mes
sage Of Franklin Piorce with regard to the
atrocities In Kansas" Called to account by
Senator Doolittle for this outrageous express
sion, Mr.. Sumner had s'nothing to qualify,
nothing to modify, nothing to retract." But
when another republican Senator, Mr.-Dixon,
Of Connecticut having faith in the Presidents
patriotism and policy. remarked that he could
not In silence hear this charge, that the Exeou-
tive had presented a whitewashins report-that,
in other words, he had, by falsehoods and mis-
statements, covered up certain facts--there was
change in the mind Of tho unfortunate Sum-
ner. He saw that there was q limit for his folly,
even in a republican Senate, beyond which
he could not safely pass. His charge Of white
washing was not intended in the offensive sense
understood by other Senator'S he had no
reflections to make on the patriotism or truth
Of the President; but he remembered the white
washing message from Franklin Pierce, and
that they oil called 1t a whitewashing docu-
ment Thus the high vauldng Sumner was sud-
denly brought to with bis face to the ground.
This of itself is triAing incident; but, in con-
nection with the fact that 1t puts check upon
the mad career of Sumner as the radical leader
Of the Senate it becomes an incident Of some
Importance. II indicates the strength Of the
Presidents policy, and that the republicans in
Congress begin to appreciate the necessity OF
cooperation with him, if they would maintain
their position as the party in power.
The check upon Thaddeus Stcvsnsvthe radi-
col leader of the House, Is still more remark.
able. On Monday, upon the question Of refer.
ring the Presidents Message, he enlarged upon
his theory that the late rebellious States are
now legally in the condition Of unorganized
Territories, and that, as such; they must be
reconstructed by Congress. On Tuesday the
Secretary Of State officially announced the rati-
fication of the constitutional amendment abol-
isbing and prohibiting slavery by shree3ourths
Of all the States, including in this ratihoation
such States as Virginia, North and South Caro-
lima, Georgia and Alabama, thus recognizing
them as States in the Union, and legitimately
acting as such through their Legislatures; and
what has Mr.. Stevens to say? He can say
nothing against the said proclamation without
putting himself in very bad position, and he
can say nothing in its favor without stultlfying
himself, and so he dscreetly remains silent
Thus, upon this most important measure
the constitutional abolition Of slavcry-Presi-
dent johnson, through his Southern restoration
policy, has completely fanked the radicals, and
holds them as Grant held Lee within his lines
at Petersburg, in position from which there
is no escape. The radicals can no longer ven.
ture upon the ground that the States excluded
from Congress are out Of the Union, because
that doctrine upsets the great constitutional
amend ment-an amendment which the people
Of all parties and all sections accept as fixed
fact. The radicals themselves accept it. The
administration, having thus gained the import
ant point that the late rebel States are not only
in the Union, but are legitimately reconstructed
in their new Legislatures, II IL apparent tina,
President Johnson has the game In his hands
and that his policy must prevail. The accept
ance by Congress Of the constitutional ratifca
ton, as declared by the Secretary Of State
! gives the victory to the administration.