The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-07-25
The 39th Congress.

The Drp-pDt week VIII close the lduvi1 "a
the Goth Congress. It's work Is accom-
plished. and will be hencetorth a portion OF
Dolitical and national history. Atthe COM
mencement Of its frst regular session, the
Nation was torn asunder by the hand 81
treason. and the army OF the last was
quietly encamped before Petersburg anu
in the rude log nuts constructed by Their
own hands. our brave soldiers Kept the
watchfires Of liberty burning. Sherman 10
the West was maturing The master plan
which eliminated IN the d. march 10 the
sea. and the Naticn, hopeful in God and
patient in adversely, turned TO those who
we're responsible for her failure or success,
as thew. assembled az Washington to meet
exlgencies without precedent in The past
confident in the patriotism and steaGiast
LOYALTY of the statesmen who had been
called together Ia the Capitol. Abraham
Lincoln hal Just been reelected by an
overwhelming majority as the President of
the people. and more than three-tOurths OF
the new Congress iOnal members were IN
sympathy with the President and the Re
publican party. Hannibal Hamlin, tried
and true, still presided over the delibera-
TONS Of the Senate, and the House eyinced
It's sagacity By the election OF Schuyler
COlfax as Speaker, who, by his ability and
experienced statesmanship, had acquired
the confidence OF the President, and gained
81 4 pf no
aud then, a. now, won for himself the
affection OF the people.
The National strength had been tried TO
its uttermost, and yet treason was ram
pant. and new leyies Of men and countless
millions Of II oney were required to preserve 7
the Union from the threatened disruption, I
fought for by rebel soldiers and lOnged for
by Northern Copperheads. The Knights OF
the Golden Circle, band OF men leagued 7
for the destruction Of the government, and .
an ultimate union with the Southern states,
led by Vallandigham, VOORHEES,, Miligan +
and others were perlectinS plans, which, .
if accomplished, would have placed the
Government in the hands Of those whom
We were fighting in the field.
We knew the men whom we had elected .
to speak and vote for the people, and we'll (
they fulfilled the trust The National .
Treasury was replenlshed, new forces were
called tor and were promptly sent iRtO toe
field, and the Nation was ready to close The
contest in the coming spring.
On the 4th OF March, 1868, Abraham
Lincoln renewed the oath OF Office, and
Andrew Johnson first disgraced himself
and the people, by a drunken, maudin
speech, which degraded US before the
world Congress having provided the
sinews Of war, and fully justified the trust
reposed in them, adjourned the session,
and soon after the hand of an assassin de-
prived US OF the man Of the people, and
Andrew Johnson became the accidental
President. Betraying the trust reposed in
him, he refused to call an extra session OF
Congress, when Grant and Sherman with
their victorious armies had finally subdued
the rebels, and the authority of the Gov
eminent was again felt and respected every
where. Assuming authority not conferred
upon him by the Constitution, he organ
lied provisional governments for the re-
Dellious States, and set the whole ma
,hinery in motion which was TO restore
hese States to the Union without the sane
lion or aid OF Congress, the law making
power. The issue was unsOught by the
Republican Congress or by the Republican
Darty, and when Congress again assembled
n December, they found themselves in
conflict with the President. Cancellation ,
vas attempted in vain, and nerved by :
Congress has manfully met the
ssue, and places its record before the
'eople for its approval. The great work
II the Committee Of Reconstruction was >,
veil performed, and its result has been the
proposed Constitutional amendment. Not :,
III we desired, but all we could get with
he foul and determined opposition OF =
andrew johnson. This measure and the
'reedmen's Bureau Bill and the Civil
fights Bill are the great political and na- -
lonal acts by which this Congress is to be
ldged, both now and In thefuture. There :,
ave been some traitors to principle, but
lot in greater proportion than among the =
postles, and the pure gold is brighter by VI
be contrast IN
re
Thank God, Michigan has been ably rep q;
esented, and on every vote on great ques- -
.ons, her representatives unitedly carried :,
ut the views Of their constituents. We D.,
pprove their acts, and we will carry them q.
ut IN the coming election. Be not seduced :.
Y the plausible theories Of conservative. :,
apprehension. breaa-and-hutter men m
no would sacrifice the Nation and alhthe -.
opes Of the future for personal ambition r..
II CollectOrship OF the position Of Post
aster. Heads are TO come or let them
III. Every true man win feel better when Pr
moved, and will go to work with q viii to Ca
", fn Tal 4