The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-21

she FO'fcy OF the hepuOllc6nss
AS tho time for the meeting Of the new Con-
gross draws near the leading spirits Of the
dominant party are beginning to declare their
views and purposes in reference to Southern
reconstruction. In the late speech of Mr.. Col
fax we have, no doubt, the prevailing senti-
ments Of the republican majority, and a gene
raj foreshadowing of the course they will pur-
sue. But there is still something in reserve,
and this az it doubtless looks to the perpetuity
Of the party in power, is, after all, the main
question.
What line Of action viii this republican Con-
gress pursue in this business Of reconstruction
They must do ono Of three things. They must
admit all the late insurgent States, or they
must reject them oil, or they must admit por-
ton Of them and reject the remainder. What
ever course may DO adopted, the interests Of
the party will be the leading idea. If believed
to be best for the party that all the States con-
cerped shall be readmitted, they will be ell
readmitted; 20, too, they will al be excluded,
or partly accepted, a the Judgment Of the
ruling party, consulting the interests Of the
party, may moline. We presnms that Tie ques-
ton of the admission Of the members from The
reconstructed States upon the preliminary roll
of the House Clerk h already settled against
them. II is probable that before they shall be
admitted by the House itself their credentials
will be referred to the Committee on Elections
or to special committee for an examination
and q report thereon. In this event the
Southern candidates for restoration may be
kept dancing attendance in the lobby for
weeks and months to come.
There is, we infer from the general outgiv-
ings of the republican organs and leaders,
considerable faction in the new House in favor
Of sweeping rejection and reconstruction
law of Congress for the reorganization de novo
of all the late rebellious States upon uniform
system, RADICAL explicit and exactng, even to
the extent of negro suffrage. But here there is
some danger Of radical collision with Pre-
sident johnson, and this danger, as we per-
ceive, the sagacious opponents of the House
majority are anxious to avoid. An attempt to
Tylerize Johnson would certainly Tylerize the
party. He may be conciliated; but, in one re-
spect at least, he is like the Soluble cannot
be coerced without struggle. In the event Of
a struggle, unlike the South, he would have the
right the argument and the weight Of numbers
among the people on his side.
The extreme radical plan of sweeping re-
lection of the Presidents work Of reconstruc-
ton will hardly, therefore, be adopted. On
the other hand, we do not suppose that short
of the fulflment of President Johnson's condi-
tons any Of the recently elected Southern
members will be admitted to seats in the
House. Very few, from present appearances,
viii be able to produce, on the first Monday in
December, certificate of the fulflment Of Pre-
sident Johnson's terms There may, indeed,
be none; but If there are few, upon these few
will be the fight Of the session, and the decision
in their case will be conclusive.
The late Northern elections have confirmed
the strength Of the republicans in conjunction
with President Johnson's Southern policy.
Adhering to this ground the party may con-
tinue to hold the reins of government for many
years. The broken up democracy can only be
revived as q powerful national organization
through split in the republican camp, like
that which has brought the democracy under
the feet of the new church. ProHting from the
shipwrecks of their predecessors, this is the
reck which the leaders of the republican faith
will do well to avoid. Acting in this Congress
in concert with the Executive, they may pave
the way for a majority in the next Congress,
and with that secured they will retain the in.
side track for the Presidential succession. Sue
cessful to this extent, long reign is before
them.
They are probably right in counting the
Southern States against them in advance; but
by tempering justice with Cancellation they
may even gain powerful footing in the South.
Otherwise they may lose their footing in the
North. Thus, as between the North and the
South, the true policy Of the ruling party in the
new Congress is to adhere to the programme Of
the administration.