The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-07-28

answer the inquiry we must see how the ac-
count stood when tho last balance was struck,
lust before tho opening of the capitol doors in
December. The war had then been ended
some months, and the country was congratu.
lating itself upon the early contamination OF
the work OF restoration. Much had been
already done and gained, The policy indi-
Dated by Mr.. Lincoln had been adhered to
by his successor with the happiest results
The terms dictated by President johnson
had been acceded to by nearly all the con-
quered states, if not with alacrity at least
with completeness and an apparent sinceri,
ty that left little to be desired. lt was felt
that the states so lately in rebellion, having
given the required guarantees OF future 10y
atty, only awaitedHthe friendly action of con-
gress to resume their old privileges In the
Union. The restoration of the Union was
held to be an established fact, so far as the
power Of the executive could accomplish 1t !;
and the great majority of the American peo
ple were hearty in their approval of the
| presidents course as sound and patriotic in
| principle and as afording evidence of sagaci'
| ty and success it's application
1t was expected that with the assembling
| of congress would come the full and final
process of restoration--the recognition oil 10y
al senators and re presen tatives from the south,
and the spectacle of q reunited nation legis'
lating constitutionally for the common inter
est of every part.
In December, th en-, the balance was largely
in favor of the president and against con
press The member who seeks re ele ction
therefore, must be prepared to show to wha
extent the balance has been adjusted, or i
not adjusted, why? And the catechizing will
be sensible and sharp. Is the work OF restor
alton one iota nearer completion than when
passed from the hands of the president mor'
than seven months ago? Has congress- dom
a single thing to advance or complete 1t /? In
| stead of turthering the work has not congres
| obstructed ii? Has il not evaded the ques
ton of southern representation. ana rudsiy
renulsed southern senators and members o
pnouestioued fitness? Has it not shirked it
constitutional duty referring the subject to
, Joint committed, appointed for purposes whic
, | each house was bound to fulfill? Has nc
= the labor of this committee been aboftive
accounting to no more than the preparation
of constitutional amendment, which passe
only after vital modification, with but q Sigh
; probability of ratification by the states who's
. consent is essential to its validity: Anothe
interrogatory will cover the case. Is not tn
| prospect of a restoration more gloomy than
was seven months ago. and Is not its unfortt
nate change attributable solely and entrel.
, to the refusal or failure OF congress TO perfet
the task begun by Mr.. Lincoln, and carrie
forward by President Johnson.
There is, perhaps. ready answer. Th
questioned may say to his questioners ths
, congress has a policy of its own. differing RAJ
icsliy from the policy ofthe dead and the III
ing president; and that congress has prefer
red adhesion TO It's own policy to the compile
ton of that which was initiated and apple
successfully by another. The common sens
: | ;ah rsod no
NAV be expected to originate others, sugges
r ! ed by the members response. Let Us see ho
! they will improve the matter. Thus: Sine
4 | congress has DISTRACTED the presidents pol
. CIV. what has congress done that the countr
: should applaud its policy? 1t objected to th
q | presidents plan ofrestoration what feaslb
; plsn has been substituted What step of an
kind has congress taken in the direction
| restoration 1t resis's the application
q President ohnson's principles; TO what oti
s er iuciples has it given effect? liz assert
!. that the states which Grant, and Sherman
a | and Sheridan and Thomas restored TO the u
ion.an which the president has treated as
| the Union, are really out of the Union; hs
;, it passed any measure dealing with them a
,fI territories2 Has it thrown into the torkl c
o law any one of the purposes which Its leader
, have av0wed, or given any signs Of carryln
1t out what is represented s. it's will? Has
. | enacted the punishment Of the southern pes
:, | pie? Has IL provided for the confscation
n southern property? Has II conferred upo
| the negro the right OF suffrage? These AT
u radical ideas-a!l parts OF the great radios
g plan, which members of the house tell the
u constituents hiss been deemed preferable
the presidents plan Bot the differen'
# between them ia this: fhe president
plan, whatever are it's defects, Is pra
n teal; he has applied it practically and wit
q good results; while the radical plan Is IN
!. practicable. and has amounted TO nothin
}, except as an obstructien. The inqniring CT
a izen will. then, complete his cateohism
o asking: IF the majority in congress were r
: solved to hinder and cripple the president
n schemes of restoration. were they not n du'
= bond to commit themselves definitely to son
II counter scheme? Having evsded this dut
must not the inference be that the radio
n policy has been q failure, and that the sessit
b. has been an occasion of disappointment al
sorrow, and shame to those who have stru
"a gled, aud waited, and hoped Tor the restor
~ tion of the Union
10 Academy of the Immaculate Conceptio
- at Davenport, Iowa.
4