Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-12-29

WASHINGTON, D. c.. Dec. %, Is6
A. D J

WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. %, 1865.
alessrs. Editors Of the Free Press:
The proceedings Of Congress, up to the
time Of adjournment for the holidays, have been
chiefly preliminary
On the great question Of the session, no action
can be had, until the reports Of the committees
having the matter in charge have been made.
1t would be impossible that there SD oud not,
upon a question Of such novelty an6 magni-
tude, be much original diversity Of opinion
but with the spirit of liberation, cherished be-
tween the Executive and Congress, and by the
members towards each other, there can be no
doubt but that a harmonious result viii be
reached
1t may be regarded as settled, that no
conflict between the President and Congress, or
division in the great Union party, that carries
the ark Of the country's safety in its hands, will
take place
The view presented by Mr. Thaiicus Stevens
in his speech. in which he took the ground that
the rebel States are out Of the Union, and there
fore require Territorial governments. finds
comparatively few supporters; the prevailing
opinion being that Of President johnson and or
President Lincoln, that the States have never
been out Of the Union. The proiigal son was
not ont Of the family. though he was out Of
the household.
The great majority now appear to agree with
Hon. John Sherman, that conditions should be
prescribed for the admission Of the States in
question. IN the form of amendments to the
Constitution, Those States themselves could
give no security against change of sentiment
in their people, when once the matters which
have grown out Of the rebellion should be re-
mitted to the jurisdiction of local law, and the
magnitude of the interests involved. it is
thought, requires nothing less than Constitu-
tienal safeguards.
AZ TO what amendments should be made, the
views Of members have been indicated IN propo-
stions which look to the entire abolition Of PRIV
ilege and inequality throughout the Union; to
the empowering Of Congress to enforce this
provision, bv fitting legislation for the rights of
whites and blacks;-to the preeluding the repu-
diation Of our, or the assumption Of the rebel
dcbt,-to a change of the basis Of representation
from FEDERAL numbers to actual voters-to
the authorization of export duties, and proyis-
ion for universal education,
Meanwhile there is probability that negro
suffrage will be satisfactorily disposed of by Con-
gress, within the limits of its own " local &" ju-
risdiction-that is. in this District The City
Government of Washington has shown that
the rights of the cOlOred people are not safe in
its hands. Congress last year made proyi-
sion for the education Of the colored people in
this District, and the Government Of this City,
by an adroit maneuver, completely nulli6ed
the Act of Congress, and LEFT the poor colorei
people as far cut in the cold as ever The coSDr-
ed man is not qualified to vote till he is educat-
ed, say they and this is the way they educate
him So will it be everywhere, Admit this
plea, and when will the colored man lie educat
cd. by those who do not wish him to v,7ter
During the past few weeks death IS found
victims among our most noted men, Thomas
COrwin, Jacob cOIlamer, Preston King and Or
lsndo Kellogg, uere men who made their mark
in our politics and history. Their places can
not easily be filed. But they lived. to see our
government emerge, purified and strengthened,
rom fiery trial that would have dis solved any
'ther fabric which politicians or statesmen have
ever reared, and to close their eyes upon the
prospect sf its enduring peace. harmony
md prosperity. WIG