Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1866-01-23
Special Correspondence Of the Cincinnati Gazette.
TIE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS.

WAaHINaroN. Jannary. /.

u have not bsen swift to rush into
print with gaFbled statements Of what
the President said to Senator Smith and
Representative Jones. Gas retailed by
them on the Avenue concerning his res
lations to Congress, and the existing
differences of policy. 4 have thought It
more respectful at once to the President
and 20 my readers, 70 say nothing till l
could speak advisedly.
, Bat il ia well that the country should
understand precisely how the presidents
does talk, and how the representatives
of the people talk to him. If breach
between them is widening, the country
should know who widens It; if dispo-
sition to conciliate is shown-who shows
10; IL an indifference 10 ccnsequences-
who manifests that 7 have therefore
taken pains TO procure correct accounts
of several recent interviews with the
President. Careful minutes of some
were made at the time, and am writing
with these before me.
WHAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS HAVE
BEEN SUGGESTED.
In one case several members, popu-
larly known as Radicals, said to the
President that if he would be satisfied
with constitutional amendments, basing
representation on voters, making all
men equal before the law, excepting in
she matter Of suffrage, repudiating rebel
debt. and guaranteeing National obi,
cations, they would make an effort to
bring the party in Congress to an adjust
ment of the reconstruction question on
that basis, and would even go to the
length of admitting Tennessee in adj
vance of all the other States and of the
general adoption of this policy By she
South, If she would individually agree
to these amendments NIL
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAYS OF CoNsTITU-
TIosAL AMENDMENTs. o.
WithoAt entering into any serious
c0nsid GRAFTON of their subject matter.
the President said that he had objec.
tions, on general grounds to any cons
stitutional amendments. He had once.
been in favor Of some himself, and was
on the record in their favor; but these
we're changed times, and the tendency
vas too great toward nnsettling the
foundations of things. These Frequent
amendments were calculated to weaken
the force and solemn sanction Of the
Constitution, kand make its provisions
like the work Of town meetings. As to
any propositions for making the pays
naens l6f The rebel debt unconatitutional,
he considered them unnecessary, and
doubted their propriety. The Southern
people were in NO danger Of ever want
ing to pay those debts. The objections
in the South TO their payment would eF-s
cry year grow stronger and stronger.
How would itIook % provide BY econ
stitutional amendment Chat the United
States debt should not be prepudisted?
Yet this would be no more improper than
the other. Furthermore, there was gross
inconsistency in the proposed mode of
securing these constitutional amend
menta They we're to be proposed by
Congress from whichsthe South was ex-
cluded. Then the rebel States, who were
unfit to be represented in Congress, were
to be considered fit to ratify constitu-
tional amendment If they were ex-
.pected as States TO. actupon the ques.
ton Of ratifying them, they should be
permitted, through their Representatives
In Congress, 20 act also in proposing
them. In effect, he did not tank. il
right 10 demand the adoption of any
coRstitutional amendment as condi-t
ton of admitting Southern members to
Congress-, because those States were in
now and entitled to all the rights Of
States.
IN Legal GUARANTEES SUGGESTED.
Perhaps the most generally accepted
plan Of reorganization involves consti-
tutional amendments. But there are
Others in Congress who prefer 70 regu-
late the whole subject b law. Among
these are the most who wish TO meet
squarely the rugged issue Of negro suf.
traee In the laat Congfess Mr. Winter
Davis came very near carrying through