Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-06-06
THE POLICY OF THE PRESIDENT AND
OF CONGRESS, RELATIVELY, AS
VIEWED ARROAn

are coming back to US from abroad. The
views from the most enlightened sources in
Europe are not particularly fiattering to the
advocates of the Sumner and Stevens pro-
gramme, and make the fact still plainer-that
the President is winning character for states
manship and for wise forbearance, which, in
the end, will be effective for vast good in MAX
ing the Republic deferred to and respected by
European statesmen. If it be true-further-
that "the lockers on see better how to play
the game than those engaged in it." it may
perhaps be well enough to listen to what
reaches us from the ablest writer's over yonder,
from men not directly enlisted in those
wretched party feuds and squabbles for power,
which have done, and are doing so much to
set back the country in its hoped for speedy
progress towards a better destiny than has
been accorded to it for some years past.
The mere fact that many of the more in
tolerant advocates of the Reconstruction pro-
ject-as it passed the House-are compelled
to reconsider their views since the Senate has
given no quarter to the famous-and accord
ing to Mr.. Stevens-vital "third sectionn-
oCI tHtLl W ItutCLlllp WHtlHeT IltLlC
further consideration and reflection, freely
INDUCED, may rot again tone down their ex-
IRENE views; whilst from the fate which has
befallen every effort of Congress for six months
past to establish what might go before the
country as ''poicy," there should be grave
doubts elicited-rhether the fierce pa,tizans
there and their too timid and plant hackers
can proride phat the country at large aciU be
aciltiRg to receiue as an ultimatun ut all. Let
us hear from the London Saturday Reciew,
quoting the conclusion of an able article de-
voted to Our affairs, and which has lust come
to hand:
at is toleraby certain that public opinion
sin the North will change within two or three
"years. The Union is dearer to Americans
'than any political doctrine; and the Southern
Estates, by refusing to conform to the legisla-
''tion of an unfriendly Congress, have the
"power of perpetuating modified form of
secession. The President has perhaps been
'unskilful in too early disclosure of his con-
"clhatory intentions. A better diplomatist
would have temporized longer, but further
experience will probably show that his judg-
"ment was essentially sound. If, according
''to the ancient maxim, enemies ought to be
treated as if they may some day be friends,
lit is obviously unwise to inhict gratuitous
humiliation on future associates and eouals.n
NOW what can appear more apparent as to
coming events and of the real situation, than
what is thus set forth by a discriminating mind,
privileged to stand aloof from the petty con-
tests for power going on at Washington; and
who suppoSes-that has any pretensions what
ever to dlscernment-that the projected .scon
'sututional amendments" which to be sucb
hnally, must be passed upon by the requisite
majority OF States, could stand the slightest
chance OF being made part of that instrumept2
Even foreigners see this, at the merest GLANCE.
whilst ambition, party prejudice, and unsa.
tlated revenge, seem quite to have blinded the
radical "reconstructonists' to the true aspects
and condition of the case. Going indeed, as
these extremists do in effect for "a modified
form of SECESSION" they commit the amazing
blunder OF recognizing the most deadly heresy
OF the times as orthodox for their later nur
poses, after having urged on to battle and
death well on to half a million of men in over
throwing the terrible assumption.
That even those who begin to have a elim.
merlng sense of the gross qualification they
are practicing will give up the struggle, there
is not much hope; because after six months,
trial to carry projects however unwise and i'm
practicable, it is wofully hard to have to ac-
knowledge the commission of error. Whilst
they, also, might have the justification which
appertains to the course of the President. of
having the right and privilege of deferring to
altered circumstances, to the advance the
whole nation Is making towards true and
substantial unity, they seem desperately afraid
of that bugbear of timid politicians, the charge
OF inconsistency! Unable or unwilling to
make those needful concessions called for bv
a true and brave craftsmanship, thew COVER
before the taunts of Stevens, they fear that q
long suffering people may not consider their
onlonlsm sufficiently pronounced for the times.
We see little help for this criminal timiditv,
this inability of men protesting enlightenment
and liberal and Christian views to emancipate
themselves from the shackles of party: and
therefore our further hope is in the patriotism
and holiness of the President, already album
dainty demonstrated. The mere course of
events should have long since convinced all
who have been called upon to pronounce upon
these issues, that the President is. at least
honest in his conviction, and earnest in his
patriotism. Not in the history of the national
lty has any ruler so bravely trodden a thorny
path which he might have readily avoided: be-
cause refusing repeatedly almost unbounded
additions to the powers he holds, he has done
II at the expense of quiet, at the risk of offend
ing great party which he well knew was
powerful for his annoyance-perhaps for his
virtual overthrow. Fortunately, events have
justified his resolution and sagacity, whilst tho
people see that for so much of real peace as
Inc nation at present enjoys, it owes to his
wisdom and determination in a true and effec-
tive policy of reconstruction based on concilia.
ton. Whilst Congress has been engaged in
debates, he has been working.
more than talking; until the logic of events
has beaten the logic Of the forum, the practi-
cal has quite superseded the theoretical, mas
much as the Presidents policy is a demon
strated success despite all obstacles.
And that the liberal and enlightened of
Europe, as well as of this country, will bring
the might of public sentiment to encourge the
President in his noble endeavors to give the
country speedy and true peace, everything
more and more indicates. Reputation. or
rather fame like this, rests on no uncertain
foundation, because it appeals for a verdict 70
the whole world of humanity, interested in |
and watching his self denying labors 70 ert,n
guish the last sad evidences of frightful con-.
dict between people of the same Nationalist
hose who but for the wickedness of ambit;ons
1emagogues combined with the force of cir
never could have been divided |
md dragged into condition of war. These
Ire reflections worth indulging on the part of |
hose who still hope to make political capital |
anu push their ambitious schemes for self ag- |
sfanolsement or notoriety, by still fomenting 4
''riie; sooner Or later they will find they
nave laoored under a grieyous mistake, and |
ne righteous verdict of history will at last con.
i ~ the view now being taken by the friends
u peace and Advancement. /