The Placer herald., 1865-07-29
Reconstruction of Parties,

| While the Long Haired element of the
dominant party in this State are endeavor
ing to shlk the negro suffrage question, upon
the plea that it is not before the people as a
political issue, they wilfuly ignore the fact
that on the eastern side Of the continent it
has become the leading feature Of political
discussion, and has already affected breach
in their party that is the torerunner Of gen.
eraI disruption.
Upon this subject, the Washington CORES
pondsnt of the S. F. Bulletin, writing under
I date Of the 2lst of June, thus discourses.
Being At head quarters his opportunities for
standing political movements are such
as 10 enable him to write inteligenty upon
the subject:
"Whether President johnson intends It or
not, there seems scarcely to be any doubt
that reconstruction Of national political
parties is soon to take place.
| The process Of division among the orig-
nal members Of the Republican party has al.
ready begun. This was 10 be expected, and
is not to be regretted, as the division is based
upon natural differences Of opinion upon is
Sles of policy. The inevitable negro is again
the dividing wedge, bot he no longer threat,
ems to become pretex. for dividing the
Union Negro suh'rage-not his freedom
is the issue Of the hour The President has
taken his position squarey upon the Consti.
tution as be understands it, and holds that
suffrage white and black, belongs to the
several States. The question presented it
self not as an abstract theory, but AS a practl-
cal issue which lie must decide. He did de,
eide it promptly, frankly, squarey and def
nltely in his reconstruction proclamations.-
A powerful wing of the old Republican par
ty has broken away from him on this issue.
Among these is Senator John Sherman of
hio-aways heretofore looked upon as one
of the most conservative men Of the party.
The adhesion OF such man to the negro
suffrage party indicates n far wider detection
from the Presidents policy than would that
of Charles Sumner or any other of the pub
| lie men who have hereto fore been extreme
| in their anti.slavery views. And the fact
tina, Chief Justice Chase, Sherman, Sumner,
Wilson and other Republican leaders of in
Auence persist in their demands for Federal
intervention in behalf of negro franchise,
even since Mr.. Jobnson's policy was an.
nounced, shows that the division is radical
and :hat parties are to be reorganized with
reference thereto.
We may set it down as certain that vigI
orous attempt at least is to be made to or
ganize a radical party against Mr. johnson,
with view to controlling the next Presiden.
tial election. Already State Republican
Convention in Iowa, held on the l4th inst,
has tak4h issue with the Executive by ncor,
porating negro suffrag. plank in its plat
| form. As this action was taken subsequent
to the Presidents emphatic avowa Of his
policy, 1t is to be accepted as distinct re,
pudiaton of The Executive course, and as
notice that the issue is to be contested in the
future. 1t is not improbable that the radi-
Gals in further pursuit Of the plans thus fore-
Swallowed, may attempt to organize in the
next Congress 10 defeat the Presidents re.
construction policy by excluding Senators
and Representatives sent TO Washington from
Reconstructed States, upon the plea that such
States are still out of the Union, having lost
their State existence by treason and requr.
ing special re admission by Congress before
they can again par,cipa in the Govern
ment If they could succeed in keeping this
question open until after the next Presiden-
llaI election, and prevent any participation
in that election by the late rebel Slales, of
course the radicals would expect to control
its result"
The correspondent says the President will
stand firm in his position against the rad
Gals, and will be sustained by the people.