The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-02-26
Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Feb. "a, 1865.


WASHINGTON, Feb. "a 1865
THE REPUBLICAN cAucus
The Congressional caucus held in the House Of Rep
resentaves last evening proves to have been singular
Affair Having been called on the evening after the Pre-
sdents remarkable speech and at the very time when
the passions Of the radicals fully aroused 1t
generally anticipated that there would be a spicy
that such men Stevens would indulge In bitter in
vectives against the President and hur abuse upon his
head There was, is true, great deal OF acrimony
exhibited yet the result IN one light is gain the
part Of the conservatives while In another point Is
Of the radicals There is in reality much that
indicates desire to initiate the equestrian feat Of tho
late Republican Convention Of Connecticut in trying to
ride two horses at the time That the were not
ready to declare open against Andrew johnson
at this particular juncture and the time when the
ctement is at the highest is Of itself wholesome sign
and important. For If they declare
they certainly cannot hereafter for the longer
they study and think over the situation the more the
moderate men OF the party will be inclined to go with
Johnson.
The caucus was called for the purpose Of appointing
committee to raise a campaign fund, and eIpend It In
circulating documents-in other words q Congressional
campaign committee spread their before the peo-
pie in the shape of pamphlets, &C No doubt the orgi
majors had in view the pdste statements before the
Reconstruction Committee in regard the South TO be
used entering wedge against President Johnson
Some Of the extreme men, however wanted TO go fur
her than this, and issue address to the people, taking
bold ground against the President both in his
speech. General Schenck Of Ohio, in consultation with
this class offered resolution for that purpose and en-
deavored 10 press 1t TO a passage; but the PROPOSE
tion was immediately attacked by Representatives
Delano, Of Ohio; Deming, Of Connecticut; Senator
Wilson, Of Massachusetts, and others In the
same strain. During this discussion, pro and
con- great deal said against this Reconstruction
Committee that all the questions relating the South
ern States had been referred to that committee andt
had not yet opened its mouth upon the subject Will
son, among Others thought that the country had great
reason to complain Of oil this and that before they
issued any address, Congress ought 10 do something
and in his opinion their votes would be acceptable
to their constituents than anything else. He alluded
Tennessee and give his opinion that the Represen-
taves from that State should have been admitted long
ago That Stale different from any Of the others
It had loyal State government under Mr. Lincon's ad
ministraton, and remained during the war. There
was sympathy for the State among the people and he
believed II to bc their duty TO admit possible
the loyal Representatives from that State The same
views expressed by several Others and even Gene
raj Banks counsclled oonciliatory course These gen
tlcmen were responded to by sxrome radicals but the
manf stations the part OF those present showed that
the majority against any extreme course General
schenck seeing that his resolution for address stood
no chance for passing. withdrew II and LEFT the
Gus, stating to q member who near him that he had
another engagement, which he must keep
lThad Stevens a matter course had his say in his
usual sarcastic ven but his remarks exhibited less
venom than on former This may have been
all from policy, and like Of the Others being de-
srous of accomplishing tho object of the caucus he
is claimed to-day have Been mere dodge presented
SUCH blind the eyes OF the conservatives and induce
them 70 accept a compromise by the appointment Of a
campaign committee. While one OF the speakers was
dwelling upon the mode that Congress had goadod the
President on 70 his present position and showing how
the present state Of affairs could have been avoided
ha Sa' sns out out this s0G soSy voice os
not have got into this predicamenL" !" This waa
dlreo. thrust at stevens placing the whole responsi
the issue ~ drifting and that all will be forced 10
choose between the aernaveaccept President John.
Tbaddeus tevens their leader There will soon
be no medium ground upon whicrrhey stand When
that comes come must unless Congress changes its
course who can doubt its rcsuly There can be no ms
taking the side on which the great Of the American
people will be found IN that issue
THE APfcfSryEST or COMMITTEE
There was at one time such strong manifestation
The caucus In favor OF admitting the Representatives from
Tennessee that many Of those present advised passing
resolution 10 instruct the Reconstruction Committee
port in favor OF their adm sson at early day but upon
further discussion and consultation between afew o the
be
point Tor the reason that some of their friends felt that
rs adoption would be equivalent 10 admission that
hey had Welded to the President would oppose
ution and defeat that ground They concluded that
was hest to let the committee upon the manifest
feeling of the rather than force them into any
such position That policy was therefore Abandoned
md under the good feeling which us then syIsIsa H.
notion 10 appoint the campaign committee of from
'ach state was offered and passed with little oppo
ion This result the radicals nov ella ming as q
rumph, and that this b. all that they desired The
her side seem TO be in a measure willing acknow
not 70 let them carry u too far. The fact thai
vi The extreme men favored II IN evil
isnoe that such the true Interpretation and that
ibis committee Ia really big thing in Disguise Before
Jongrss adJourns effort will be made 10 give them
he authority 70 issue an address and circulate in sdd
ion 70 their numerous documents This will be- one Of
he mediums 70 carry on their agans, the present
yRrrpsxy's BrprAu Asp rHs SLAVE rplpr
Facts have TO light In the last day or which
hov si greater reasons than any which the President
,as given Why b. has acted wisely in ve,oins the
Frecdmens bill Il 10 alleged that Of the agents
" the present bureau engaged In buying and |
elIing negroes that while they claiming that they
have not the power 70 protect the freedmen the South
bis clause IL only dodge 70 get in their hands sun
lent power 10 make tho freed blacks slaves again and
10 bind the government 10 its enforcement The mode |
" carrying on this new slave trade s as follows -
Certain professors and pretended phanthroplsts from
hassachusetts have been down To mississippi and pur
hased plantations They then send back here and offer
certain amount per head for negroes 20 work them
rhe agents Of the bureau send among the ne.
rcedan ,ha, brought in he plea used " the negroes
= that tho Freedmen Bureau can now provide them
With employment Thus the negroes collected, ami
he parties engaged at get their price per head The
rccdmens Bureau then take them and ship them on
ssl at the expense o. the government aud then
urn them over 10 the Massachusetts, professors who
place them at work under At ovcrseor large
lumber have already been picked up In this vicinity -.
ent on IN this way The trade is becoming quite profit.
ble 20 the parties engaged The President has been al.
eady compelled 10 protest against II 20 prevent this
node from becoming Tho regular and accepted system
his y nothing more nor less than uafc IN negroes and
- Md That some OF the advocates for enlarged
owers OF the bureau fear that the negroes Will
ecome restless when they TO how they have
cen duIed aud that u therefore necessary that the
uthonty OF the agents shall be increased 10 enable
hem TO compel the blacks 10 remain in their new
ituafons and labor 70 enrich the Massachusetts, pro
essors
The query rises here, II impossible for the present
10 protect the rights Of the blacks in the Southern
tates, Why they picking them IN and sending 1