The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-19
The President and the south.

Inc PRESIDENT and the South.
From the Times
The Times of Friday contained the following
telegram from Washington:--
"Cbief Justice Chase Mr.. Seward, Governor Ran
call, Mr. McCulloch and Mr.. Browning had a long
consultation with the President on thursday. 1t is
DeheYed that this meeting was for consultation upon
an effort now making by leading men of all parties
to induce the President in consideration general
amnesty, TO induce me people or the fSoth to accept
uhtcerSot Sufrdge, 1D qualification either of pro-
peTty or intelligence. Prominent Southern men are
cooperating with Republicans and Democrats in
this effort"
How much of this statement is conjecture
merely we have no means of Judging We can.
not doubt, however, that considerate and judi
cious men Of all parties, who are seeking the
welfare of the country rather than the promo
ton of parry schemes. are united and sincere in
desiring q speedy solution of our national
troubles-the restoration of the Union at the
earliest moment possible by the admission to
Congress of Representatives from all the States
which compose it.
Nor can any one doubt the ability of the Pre-
sident to bring about this result II NAV be trne
that the Constitution gives him no power directly
70 70 interfere with IT.; but II is equally true that
the moral power of his Office and his personal
relations 10 the southern States do actually give
hun an influence fully adequate to its full and
satisfactory settlement. The Southern States
lean on him as their last and only hope. Con.
gress is against their claims by an overwhelm-
ing majority. The Democratic party is shat
tered and hopelessly powerless. The President
has lnterposed in their behalf with the most
positive and inyincible courage, and is regarded
by them, with good reason, as the only official
power from which they have hope of aid and
rescue. This mas made him potential with
them. His opinion his advice, his wishes natu
rally weigh more with them than the fercest
menaces of the Republican extremists, or the
blandest promises of the mOribund Democracy.
If the President therefore, should come to the
q MI of ha noln
political field, that impartial suffrage, or the
Constitutional amendment, or any other specific
measure, Is essential TO the restoration of the
Union, and should press its adoption upon the
southern States, as conducive to their readmls-
SION TO political power, that advice would
almost certainly be accepted and followed.
And such action on the part of the Southern
states would command the assent of Congress
and of the great body of the people throughout
the North. The President thus has the settle
ment of this matter substantially In his own
hands, provided he adopts basis of settlement
in harmony with public sentiment as developed
in the late elections. Against that sentiment he
is powerless
I'VE cannot doubt that the President himself,
as well as the eminent statesmen by whom he is
surrounded, fully understands this fact, and
appreciates the responsibility which IL involves.
We are not surprised to hear that prominent
men OF all parties, and from both sections. prefer
settlement nOlc upon any feasible and
endurable terms, to a postponement for three
years, with all the chances of turmoil, collision
alienation, and revolution which such postpone
ment Would involve. And we shall not be at all
surprised to learn that the caImest and wsest
of the leaders of Southern political opinion have
indicated their willingness to accept any condi-
tions which the President and his advisers may
deem compatible with their honor and safety,
for the sake of peace and renewal of their CON
stitutonal relations with the National Govern
ment.
Public sentiment in the Northern States does
not favor the longer postponement Of this ques-
ton, If 1t can be safely settled now 1t reioices
in the result OF the elections because it has pre-
served the country against its being settled by
Copperheads and Rebels, on the basis of their
principles But the Union party, which has
been clothed with full power, is expected to use
it for the prompt adjustment of all our troubles.
If the President will accept the decision, and
seek some ground on which he can act with a
majority of the Union party in Congress, and
then ask the assent and cooperation of the
Southern States, our conflicts will be at an end.
Having this power, he cannot wisely or homo
rably eyade the re responsibility which it Involves