Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-01-05
ruP pREsInENT Ann CoNcpEss


Perley," Of the Boston Journal, has felt
spur in paragraph Of ours, and now he defends
himself for the use of the word " force" Gas ex-
pressing the disposition Of the President towards
Congress on the reconstruction question: by
quoting Representative Wilson, of Iowa. Very
well we accept Perley's" defence, and all the
more readily because he seems to agree with us
that there will be no f0rce.in the case, and no
break between the President and a large ma
jority of the Union men who aided in eecting
him The intimation seems to be that the
tremey radical policy win not prevail that there
will be concessions that the President and a
! large majority of Congress will be in harmony.
Certainly we hope so and that neither will sub
nit to concessions that can peril the freedom of
any portion of the people, or the future peace and
prosperity Of the nation.
We quote " Perleyn in full on this topic:
| 1t is to be hoped that a Republican editor in
the State Of Vermont who has undertaken to criti
else this correspondence. las read the account of
| an interview between PrcsilenJohnso and Messrs
Wilson and Price, Representatives in Congress
| from Iowa. furnished by Mr.. Wilson for publica-
ton. " The majority in Congress expect and ask, y
said Mr.. Wilson to the President, d" that, while en-
gagged in investigating the whole subject of recon
structon, it may be len free TO act it may deem
/ best, and that no attempt be made by the Execu-
| tive TO interfere with and influence its action by
the distribution Of patronage in any other way.
/ If thus left free by you, there be possible
| difficulty between the Executive and legislative
/ branches of the government. But If YOU are dis
posed TO interfere with Congress, by patronage or
/ otherwise and force your peculiar ideas and plans
upon Congress and the country, you will meet with
serious opposition by those that are now the friends
of your administration, and desire sincerely make
| it useful
Mr. Wilson, after stating what he said to Presi-
dent johnson, gives the substance of the Presidents
reply, which Endorsed the reconstruction policy set
forth in the message, and did not admit any chance
ofits failure "On the contrary, (says the account,
President johnson seemed 10 be fully persuaded of
| its present and future success. Nor did he say a
word indicating an intention to abstain from inter-
ference with Congress in its legislation upon re-
construction. He did not say that he would inter-
fere; but neither did he commit himself to the OPP
/ posite line of action However pressed by Mr.
| Wilson, he would not give the assurances desired
| of him.
This sem-oIicial statement of the desires and of
the apprehensions of many of the most radical Re
publicans in Congress, with the expressive silence
! of tire President is but portion OF the reliable evil
dence upon which have based my Geographic re-
ports of " the situation But | do not believe
that the President will have to use his prerogatye
TO force his plans upon Congress, for there al
| them before n very great while.
There are those here who confident that the
! old political guillotine is TO be set up again, f0r
! the decapiation of all oiice-holders whose Con-
gressiOna protectors do not support the policy OF
| the administration, and it has been announced in
print that the head of the postmaster at Boston
will be the first 10 fall. | cannot ascertain that
these rumors have any foundation in truth or that
the removal of DR.. Palfrey has been contemplated
by those in authority. Neither can learn from
any reliable source that the President speaks an
i gry of Congress On the contrary, have excel
lent reasons for believing that he is well satisfied
with the first act of the session, before Christmas,
and with the positions taken by his friends IN the
Senate and in the House. Meanwhile his policy
is being successfully carried out, as State after
State is restored to the charge of its elected Off
Gals and thus released from The tutelage on the
general government to which it had been subjec-
| ted by the war power.
Perhaps Congress on reassembng may see fit
to admit the Tennessee Senators and Represents
tives, loyal men unquestionably, 10 their seats
This will be graceful concession from the Capto
which will be appreciated at the White House.
At any rate will repeat what has been asserted
again and again in this correspondence; President
johnson will not permit himself to be 1ylertzed
by the Democrats. neither will there be any break
between him and large majority of the Union
men who aided in electing him.
Now, as to the mission OF Messrs. Wilson ant
Price to the President; Will Perley" inform III
whether or not they were authorized to speak fol-
the majority in Congress, and whether their mes
sage, either in form or substance, was dictated b.
the majority aforesaid? We fancy that no con
siderable number Of members of Congress evel
concocted or agreed to, anything so insulting Il
the President and so humlatng to Congress. Il
must have been private affair, which ought t.
compromise nobody but the originators OF it, anC
never should have got into the newspapers. 1
this surn,;ze be correct, we can well understand
the reason Of the reticence of the President, and
applaud his forbearance. These gentlemen woulc
pump" him he would not be pumped" anC
we think they ought to thank him for not summa
rily showing them the door. We feel like com
mending Messrs Wilson and Price TO a study o
the b c book of official duty, wherein they will
learn that the legislative and executive function
are distinct, and that the President and member
> of Congress are bound to act independently, am
in their best Judgment, according to their oath o
office. II members of Congress choose in pri
, vate way to confer with the President on public
affairs, let them observe the proprieties OF private
conversation, and publish nothing without tn
!, consent of both parties Certainly members o
, congress shouiu not ABUSE the courtesy vi vi
President by playing the part of a spy.
We are surprised to find Mr.. Wilson in thi
predicament. His position in the House as Chair
man of the Judiciary Committee is good, but
= gives bin no warrant to speak for the House. II
e moved the resolution referring credentials
( Southern members to the Select Committee o
i Reconstruction and perhaps the suggestion
some one that the President was not pleased by !
! tempted him to seek an interview which resulte
: unfortunately for him. The course OF Senate
Wilson, Of Massachusetts would have been
!, good Que for Mr. Wilson, Of Iowa, 90 follow.
!, VIM WOODWARD, a native Of Chelsea, Vt, q
9 artist, died in Boston, Dec. 80, from injuries r.
. ceived by falling down stairs.
a | M. I..L...N ..a.,.l.