Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-01-26
THE RADICALS AND THE PRESIDENT.

THE RADICALS AND THE PRESIDENT.
The organs of the Republican party, and it's
most distinguished leaders attempting to
show thatthere is no existing ssue between
them and the President. and that there is no
probability Of u conflict between the Legsla-
tnre AID Executive departments Of the Gov
ernmeDt. Yet in the face Of these declarations.
we have the very significant action of the
House of Representatives upon the resolution
offered by Mr.. Williams of Pennsylvania, md
adopted by vote of 81 to 81. proposing that
no troops shall be withdrawn from the South
until in the opinion of Congress it can be safe-
ly DONE The design in thus divesting the
President Of one of his highest constitutional
functions as Commanders in. Chief of the Army
is clearly 10 control him in a policy which it is
supposed will initiate with the interests of the
dominant party. So clear a uonrpation upon
the prerogatives Of the Executive, could only
be prompted by well.grounded conviction of
the radical antag6nism which exists bot wseu
the policy of the President and that of the Re.
publican party. "
Between the policy of the President and that
Of the Radicals in and out Of Congress-, the
points of difference have been distinctly de-
fined and clearly announced. The President
assuming that the Southern States are now as
ever, existing political bodies-that they are
now as before constituent parts of the Union
would at once restore them 10 th cir former
rights. and to that especially which Congress
now refuses, participation in the national leg
islation. The dominant party on the other
haud. ignoring the existence Of these Sta,es
aud denying that they are in the Union. would
impose upon them as the terms Of re. "A omission,
conditions. which would render nugu,ory the
rights and lmmunities which the Union was
Designed to secure According to the pro-
granIme Of Mr.. Greely. they nre to be deprived
of the ordinary functions Of legislaiou-the,
are not 10 touch the National or Rebel Debts
nor concur in legislation with Northern gym
pathizers in opposition TO the Republican par
ty. Above all they are to guarantee civil aud
political equality TO the black. Tn's s now
the ~atchword Of The party. Congress is about
making the District of Columbia model for
free black community. Senator Morrelrs
amendment conierrI"g blnk suf, age upon
those who can read the Constitution and write,
Furnished an example 10 he followed elsewhere
1t is supposed that CongTess will pass a Bill
proposing 10 the States an amendment Of the
Constitution whereby represen, atiun will he
based upon vcte, 9, not numbers. and that thus
the South may he induced to extend the right
of suffrage to her black population. These are
ali parts of the same scheme to perpetuate the
power Of the dominant faction, and 10 exclude
the South Fl ON oil participation 10 the govern
mont Of the country. 1t is diectly in confl,ct
with that enounc'd by the President, and which,
seeks an early restoration Of The South TO its
former status i'll the Union.
WRilst the tone and temper of Congress is
entirely unconeilutory, the President seems
equally resolved in his purposes, and exhibits
composure and apparent confidence which au.
gurs well for the success of his policy. Armed
with the veto power. and the support which
he can command in the Senate. together with
he'pa,ronage of his high office. he can protect
us at.prenent against unjust legislation. and in
the final appeal to the public opinion Of the
country may secure for Is just and equal rights
in the Union.