The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-30


December, the first important question that will
arise will be upon the admission Of representa-
tives from the States lately in rebellion. II
will come up before that body will be organ.
lied even, and in the process Of organization
And, however it may be decided by the Clerk
Of the old House Of Representatives, who holds
his Office, according to law, till the new House
be organized, and for the purpose Of organic
ing it-whether he should decide to place the
Southern representatives on the roll and admit
them to a participation in the election OF
Speaker or not, the question of their right to
| seats, with all the political bearings, will be
discussed. II the Clerk, Mr. Mcpherson, should
refuse to put their names on the roll the ques-
ton would stand over till after the election Of
Speaker, and the discussion deferred till the
House be organized and in full working order.
But whenever the debate may arise, before or
after the Speaker is elected, 1t will be very i'm
portant, and probably exciting. The question
is entirely new one, and there Is no precedent
to guide either the Clerk or the House.
The action of the Clerk, then, is Of the high
est Importance. There is no one 10 control
him. Congress does not exist till organized.
Neither the President nor any other officer Of
any department Of the government has author
ity in the matter. II he should adopt the
theory of the administration, that the late rebel
States never have been out Of the Union, and
never have ceased to be members OF it; that
in fact, they have not absolved and could not
absolve their, federal relations with the other
States, he ought to place the names Of their
representatives on the roll, provided the Presi-
dent should declare the rebellion suppressed
and the States to be exercising their functions
again as heretofore, and provided there be no
law hindering him from doing 80. II is said
by the radicals, who oppose the admission OF
the Southern members, that there ia law
which will prevent the Clerk giving TO these
members certificates Of admission to the floor
of Congress till their claims and eligibility to
seats be determined by the House. On the
other hand, It is said that this act referred to,
which was passed during the rebellion, il
neither applicable nor constitutional. Without
discussing this question, 1t is evident that
grave responsibility rests upon the Clerk. He
must decide what his duty is legally in the
case; and if there be doubt as to the legality
or constitutionality of refusing to- place the
names of these members on the roll he should
and wish of the President, and for the peace,
harmony, and best interests Of the country.
The admission Of the Southern representatives
to the floor by HIS certificates, whereby they
may participate in the election Of Speaker,
would probably settle the matter. 1t is not at
all likely they would be turned out afterward.
But, looking at the political character Of the
House, if organized without them, we appre-
bend the conflict on the subject would be fear
ful. Indeed, it is doubtful whether they would
be admitted at all. The radical element may
be so strong and determined that these gentle
men may be sent back to their homes, and the
country kept in state OF anarchy. We recon-
mend Mr.. Mcpherson to ponder well over these
things, and above all TO put himself in rapport
with President Johnson. Let him learn what
the wishes and policy Of the President are, and
act in accordance with these. He will be right
then, and will obtain the commentator Of the
country.
The consequences that would follow re-
lection of the Southern members to seats in
Congress, or prolonged agitation on the sub
ject, can be easily imagined. Every one looks
with satisfaction, il not admiration, upon the
successful restoration policy Of the President.
The Southern people, frankly accepting the
srbitrament ofwar, have gone to work in good
earnest to bring themselves in friendly politi-
cal relations with the North. Shall they be
disappointed Is the work Of the administra-
ton to be frustrated or delayed by a vindictive
faction Of radicalse Is II wise to keep open
the wounds and alive the animosities made by
the war! The response Of the whole country,
apart from certain set OF crazy and selfish
politicians, is, No. From the Atlantic 10 the
Pacific, and from Maine to the Gulf Of Mexico,
the response is, No. There is among the people
a general sentiment of Cancellation and q de-
sire to stimulate ffaternal feelings We want
no more sectional agitation. BY nature we nre
homogeneous people. The causes that
divided us, and made one section ininical to
the other, have been swept away, and the
bitter feelings which the war infihmed may
soon be cxtingIished by magnanimity, concilia-
ton, and pride in common and mighty coun-
try. II we were to treat the Southerners still "a
n conquered people, refuse them the political
privileges they always enjoyed in common
with ourselves, and consequently ALLEVIATE their
feelings and excite their passions, what could
we expect but continued troubled Is not his
tory throughout all its pages full Of examples
to warn ms against such fatal course? We
need domestic quiet We have to provide for
our enormous debt and maintain the credit Of
the government This can only be done by
peace and harmony at home and by the great
est development Of our resources. Continued
agitation would paralyze our efforts and destroy
confidence. We should have TO keep large