The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-04-02
The Elections and the Political Issue Of
tho Day.

The Elections and the Political Issue OF
tho Day.
The great interest manifested about the cleo
ton in Connecticut to-day shows that the poll
tcians at least are alive to the Importance Of
the political issue before the country. Whether
the people, particularly those in remote dis
tricis, yet fully understand the matter has to
be seen. The election to-day may throw some
light on the question; but we can hardly
expect any clear and positive expression Of
public sentiment before the elections next fall.
Great political changes are not made suddenly,
and only when the issues are clearly defined
and well understood.
Up to the meeting of Congress in December
scarcely any one imagined there was going to
be conflict between the policy Of the Presi-
dent and that of the powerful party which
elected him. The most sagacious politicians
did not anticipate such state of things; and
the people everywhere believed there was and
would be perfect harmony between the Presi-
dent and the great Union party. His policy
was plainly laid down from the commence
ment As soon as he took the Presidential
chair and the war was over he laid down bis
plan of restoration. This he followed consis-
tently through the summer and fall. Every
one understood it. Every one knew that II
was to organize temporary governments in the
Southern States, until those States could get the
regular machinery Of their own government in
operation, and then to finish the work at the
earliest day practicable by having the South
again represented in Congress. There could
be no restoration without those States were
again represented in the national legislature;
consequently that was the aim OF the Presi-
dent--the end for which all his efforts were
made. Loyal members Of Congress were
chosen, and 1t was expected they would take
their seats. Mr. johnson, as well as all con-
sentative, Union-loving men, saw the danger
there would be in keeping the country practi-
cally disunited and dsorganized by not having
these States represented in Congress, and he
desired the admission Of their members with
out unnecessary delay. The people looked
forward to this rs closing up the rebellion and
the war, and as the complete restoration of the
Union 10 its former state This policy Of the
President we say. was universally understood
and approved. No candidate or public speaker
during the elections last fall attempted to assail
Il. The republicans everywhere made 1t their
issue and the text Of their speeches They
succeeded upon the platform Of Andrew John
son and his policy, because that was the senti-
ment Of the people. That was just how the
matter stood up to the time Congress met in
December.
Then. to the establishment of the country, a
large portion OF the republican party in Con-
gress turned completely round and opposed
that policy, by advocating Of which short
time before they had secured their election.
OF course the mass Of the people could not
realize the facts. They could not believe
they had been 40 deceived or that their repre-
sentativcs were capable OF such deception
These members Of Congress and their outside
supporters, who placed themselves under con-
troll Of the leading radicals, saw that 1t would
not do TO LET the people become enlightened
on the subject: and, therefore, continued their
plan OF deception. In Washington they have
been doing everything they could do to OBJ
struct the restoration policy and 10 break the
President down while they have been making
speeches in the country and proclalmjng !;
their constituents that they giooa BY Mr.. John
son, that be zee win them, and that there wa
no s-..-j 4; a'nsrcnse between him spa then
A generous public, no, w::llng 10 believe in th
perady Of these men, still gsve credit " the'
misrepresentation. Occasionally little ligh
would break in upon the people; and whe
the President vetoed the Frsedmen's BUREAU
bill and his reasons for doing so were pub
iished, they opened shsir cyes Sun they coul
no, soc clear through tAs re o: political Obi