The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1865-12-16
Congress.

On our first page will be found proceedings
Of Congress Of the highest isterest, though
BY no means gratifying or eencou, aging ID the
people Of the South. The Bill introduced by
Mr.. Wilson, Of Massachusetts, IN the Senate,
and the resolutions Of Mr.. Sumner and his
proposed test oath are glaring evidences of the
vinaictivcness Of the Rae Gals towards the
Sbdth, aud Of their menstros. purposes and
intentions with regard to the future govern.
ment aud. control Of people whom they have
orerpowered by superior numbers. They have
marshsled their forces gainst US and seem de
term.ned to carry out their bitter programme,
regafdlesA'of cons"quenccs. The only thing
that can save the Sosth In this crisis, Ia the
hrmnsss and power Of the President. His
message is reported to be In striking con trast
to The Radical programme aud In the main is
most favorable to the South.
The Southern members elect have not been
admitted to seats. Those Of them who went
or have returned home, or are expected TO do
20. Congress tras appointed a committee to
report upon the present status of the Stat es
lately in rebellion, to define their position, and
determine whether or not they are entitled 4
representation. We have seen no re port from
this committee. Until this subject Is disposed
Of wo presume not much else will be thourh
OF or done.
Since writing the foregoing, we have receiv.
ed the New York HAaid OF the 9Th ns :,
which Gays that in the short interval Of ttfce
days, III re was i remarkable asatem eat of the
radical fever which marked the first days pro-
ceedings Of both Houses of Congress-au
abatement which the Herald attributes to the
wbolcSone Influence OF the Presidents Mes.
cage That paper, after citing several in.
stances which 90 TO show that the Message has
had favorable impression on Congress, con.
cludes its article ~ follows:
''In any event, the policy Of Southern rcsto.
ration which President johnson has adopted
having been approved by all parties throuy b.
out tae country, he has no other course to pun.
sue. Let Him adhereto ir, do all he can to sc
cure from tie States concerned the fulflment
OF all his conditions, and. haviag fulfilled them,
let him submit the rights Of said States to
restoration TO Congress. They may bs reject
ted, but thea the issue brought before the peo.
pie In the elections for the next Congress will
be decisive victosy fer. the administration.
The President holds The impregnahle, round
Ghat the excluded Seuthera States are not out
Of the Union, and never have been that thvy
snly need reorganization under the constitu
zion aud existing laws Of the Union to be en-.
titled 70 all the rights in the general govern
ment which belong TO the other loyal States.
He has osly 70 adhere 70 this grouad 70 securs
the establishment OF bis policy in sbis Congress
or the next. We believe, however, from the
cooling down Of the radicals on the day after
the reception OF the Message, that wholesome
reaction has already commenced which will
make the Presidents pQllcythe programme Of
tho present Congress! When such old radical
campaisners az Thaddeus Stevens begin to
tack sIip&it 10 svcGne they SOC breakers