New-York daily tribune., 1866-02-12

the colored people OF the United states, "po ene =.
him 10 plead for their rights as men anu as etlhs oi
the great American Republic. The record Oh the
conversation Is before you, and, percnance the sanc
steamer which carried Mr. Summers speech 10 li' ia
tioDs of Europe may have this record also on Doad
two strange fellow passengers 10 make the voyage TO-
gether. The noble appeal for the righfs OF man
in the name Of the great principles OF justice ol tue
democratic principles and Of the American RepuDllc
and the other most singular response 10 that appeal
wrapped uD In professions of devotion 10 another kind
o. democracy coming from the President Of that same
American Republic The contrast can hardly produce
moIe painful impression abroad than 1t produces at
home.
Jhc first news Of the conversation was brought TO the
capital by some members OF the colored dcesatioh'
They were taken into anter00m OF the House OF Rep-
resonatyes and were soon surrounded by gathering
Of congressman who aDxiOnsly inquired aDOt tue re-
suit OF the interview. The story was soon tod Inc
President had spoken 10 them not without courtesy Dnt
in manner which indicated a subdued excitement, or
rcpressed anger as one OF them expressed IT, Inc
Presidents remarks could not be interpreted ~ any
other way but that lie decidedly opposed TO any e&
tension OF suffrage to the coored man on the ground
that IL would lead to OF races ana that be though
il ought be held dependent upon the assent OF the
whites or of the people, as be expressed IT, OF ID
othe words that the white Rebel should have the power
10 decide whether the cOlOred LOyalist should vote.
That little gathering OF CongressmeD assembled
around the coOTed delegates in the aDteroom OF the
Vouse Of Representatives there were some Tathef ID
clined 10 distTuet the statements O their Iniomei II
was thought they might in their disappointment nave
put construction upon the Presidents language which
were dispersed by the evening papers when con-
tanned a full account Of the interview g,
The feeling with which that account was received
was with many rather one of shame than ot anger
There are even among the Republicans, some Who m
sist that the white should IN every respect NAN
tain his superiority over the negro. Is II not aggra
waiting" said they, that IN solemn conversation be-.
tween the President Of the United States aud coored
delegation, the negro should have altogether the
best Of the argument, and perhaps show no inieroits
n noint Of GoVOrment either" have heard such r''
mn in
cane Observing men-and there ere many such IN the
two H0nes Of CoDgresthat the President was so uu-
fortunate not only to be not very logical in s state.
ments-as not only to be obliged 10 sit his ground
from South Carolina 10 Ohio npon keen mtelec'iOh
from Mr.. Downng-but 10 rest bis argument through
oct upon surprisingly shallow and inconsistent
with common sense as well the patent teachings o.
li-tofv-teachngs manifest to everybody that can real
history. II would bave indeed, been satisfactory TO
many persons here. If the President however o6lec-
tonable the views be- advanced. had defended them at
least With decent and respectable array Of argument
Tie biton was painful not ony 10 their feelings as
Kepub cans bat to their race-prldc as AneloSa1Ons
IL was noticed, also with surprise, and called
oa comments of doubtful character, that the Pres
dent betrayed much anxiety not TO permit the col
0red dele CATION TO state their views of the matter IN
opposition 70 his own. And moro than once have
heard the qgestOn asked to-day: WAS IT, perhaps
ois,.ogsress Il the weakness of bis case Was H.
rorhars fer Of being fo0red IN the discussiOnF Aud
indeed since tie appearance IN t0-days ChroRicie o.
the letter o. NcssIs Douglass ana downing u WOllo
seem that such apprehension, II entertained was by
rO MEANS entirely groundess FOR that letter WIN ll-
simple and straightforward reasoning It's appeals "a
common sense and history brushes away the Presl
dents strange fabric Of argument with mercl!ess
sweep
o. The whole fiis the Presidents desire to exercise
an InGucuce uvop Congress by inspiring confidence ir
the soundIess OF his principles and the ceaFness o De
Judgment IL Is difficult TO imagine an occurrence more
unfortunate in that than his interview with The
culorrd dcleCnies For II can be neither SATISFACTORY
70 lin nor ediying 70 Congress that his espresso
opinions should derive weight and importance oh'l
iiom the accdeDt Of bis station.
Il il Ion looked upon as certain That The PresGrh
viii veto any h conierrng the right Of suffrage upo'
tie cOloTed mal that may come before him Some tint
aro 4 was thought that an intelligence qualification
would render the matter acceptable TO him. and JUG
lac from h.s conversation with Major Stearns Whlci
occurred ory last Fall II would seem ihnt there wa
some foundation for this hope. But since he has eN
pressed aud reiterated the opinion that war OF race
viii BE pIoduced-uot By Withholding but by coniorrnl
eIlal Igbts-hat the late Rebels, the Thtc enemies
the Ilon cannot De prevented from killing the 3ilci
friends 0i tie Union II the latter be invested with rights
a4L iAat thus tie colored race viii be annihilaed II W
give 10 the political means 10 protect itscli-snce th
President has stated these TO be the views that govern
him guiding the ship Of State, 1t is reasonable 90 ~
slue that 10 suffrage bill even confined TO the Dsiric
o. Columbia and however qualified viii, in spite of th
- conver atiOL receive his approval and sigma
iu!e S.Ch of least, the opinion expressed % M
bv Distinguished senator" who Is supposed 10 he u
tie PRESIDENT confidence
IL debate on the Constitutional amendment. modify
iug tie basis Of representation which opened with Nj
sumner great speech Jlus 10 occupy lAt Sruat
iof some tine. The most remarkable feature Of hi
discussion sand IL wa. 20 nready m the louse-tha
nOs ~ tbe advocates Oi Tue amendment, WIIe demon
signtug tie necessity Of doing something OF the Kind
are the time expressing their regret that moth
iug perfect could, under present circumstances
De proposed by the Committee. Even Mr. fessenaen
while defending the proposition admitted that hc wOu'
be- glad receive further Light upon the subject IN tn
course OF the discussion.
There are many who are anxiously casting about L
find form by which. first the implicated distinction
of and color can be avoided and by which second
w. evasion can be rendered impossible The minds o
many are uneasy about IL. and the consideration
the subject receives the clearer becomes the fact ths
there but straight line from one point to another
and that soon choice is 10 be made OF crooked
lines there - an infinite number and variety OF opin
ions.
From time TO time the true feeling of Republicans
Will rresistiby burst forth in boldly declaring what
ought be done 10 the eXgencies of the situation
fully and fairly, without res0rtng 10 equyocal and un
certain means. To-day We had two striking instances
OF this Sensor Lane OF Indiana in the course Of the
strong and eloquent speech with wh ch he surprised the
Senate declared himself in the most forcbls language
against all action by ndirecion. and it evident TO
al listeners how great effort II to him 10 give.
al lai bis adhesion 10 the amendment as perhaps the
only practicable thing that could be done under the cir
cuwstarces. Still more remarkable and striking was
the outbug of feeling aud true coquence from Senator
Henderson OF Missouri. who with force and direct
which not only did honor TO his heart but also
showed his far.seeng Judgment. pointed to the only
measure which would give real and lasting protection
20 the freedmen of the South--eQdal suffrage TO all
IL Is uncertain vet what the rec lt OF the discussion OF
The amendment in the Senate may be. IL is understood
that MT. Sumner Is gong to oppose the amendment
with all his power. IL is doubtful also whether Mr..
Henderson will vote for it, At all events. the discus
sion will be long and animated one aud it's course
charges and notifications mas suggested calculated
20 remove those features which most seriously OBJ
Jeete4 to- OBSERVER