New-York tribune., 1866-12-03
Tile OPENING or CoNGREsS.

The Congress Of the United States in rcassemblng
to-day has the assurance that the people fully sustain
its past action in regard to the Rebel States, and de-
sire that It shall enforce the principles which tn
umphed at the recent elections, whatever new form
NAV be chosen to embody them. Congress
meets victorious after the struggle with the Presi
dent. His grave doubts of its Consttutionality
have been answered by the power which makes Con
stitutions and his opinion that Messrs. Stevens and
Sumner were traitors has not prevented the election
TO the XLth Congress Of two-thrdS majority Of
men who believe in their cardinal principles If the
elections mean anything it is that Congress Is en-
phatcay authorized by the people to make
the doctrines Of freedom the conditions upon which
the Rebel States may resume their places in the
Union and that Mr. Johnson's plans have been ut
terly condemned. What is usually meant by COM
promise would be- therefore, concession on the part
of Congress unnecessary and unfaithiul 1t is in
structed to yield no jot Of principle, and, from the
tone of the Republican Saturday it is ey-
dent that the majority in the House fully appreciate
the force of the national Endorsement.
But, though compromise with the President is not
called for it would be unjust to consider it certain
that Mr. johnson desires expects it, In opposition
to the people he is poweress and by their will he has
on countless occasions declared it his intention to
abide That will has been 50 positively and clearly
EXPRESSED that the President cannot help understand
ing it, upon his own pledges, and is bound to obey it.
His policy of Immediately admitting the Rebel States,
and conceding to them that the Rebellion did not de-
priye them Of the right to representation will no doubt
be abandoned; nor will he continue TO assert that the
exclusion of Southern Representatives makes unc0n-
stitutional the acts Of Congress affecting the Southern
States All this, as a servant of the people, he is
bound to yield. Mr. johnson, in his message may, as
he has the perfect right to DO accept the decision of
the people as his guide, and yet suggest to Congress
another plan for carrying it out in fidelity. We de-
sire that Congress shall take no steps TO un-
necessary dispute but that it shall consider that the
elections have established peace in the Government
till it is known whether war is meant.
Three policies of reconstruction will probably bo
urged in this session; that Of the Constitutional
Amendment without further addition; the policy Of
treating the Rebel States as Territories and reestab-
fishing Provisional Governments, and that Of Impair
tal Suffrage and Amnesty. Until Congress has given
definite shape to the spirit Of the people, as expressed
at the polls, there will be but little interest taken in
other great questions that must not be neglected
Our Mexican relations should be made. the subject
of early and thorough inquiry. We have repeatedly
declared our opinion Of the true course to be pursued
The revision Of the Tariff is duty imposed upon
Congress By the condition of the country and the
pereuce of the year ought 10 result in the correction
Of the mistakes Of the last session. An earnest effort
will be made we trust to form satisfactory plan
for return to specie payments. The dignity Of the
nation requires that the history of the New Orleans
massacre should be thoroughly searched, and that
Congress, standing above the Civil Courts of Louis-
ana should assert thelaws they have contemned Nor