New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-07-30


cation. 1t had left the war raging: it found /: ended.
1t left JEFF. Davis tyrant at Richmond; it found him
prisoner in solitary confinement and charged with con-
spacy IN murder II left Abraham Lincoln, the ruler OF
the haoni II foundnot him, but his grave. II found
Andrew johnson the of his place. but practically
the repudato Of bis policy 1t confronted with
men and new duties, with political situation unprece
dented In the history Of the country On the very OPEN
ing day OF the session. tao representatives from the Rebel
States attempted TO take part in lis proceedings Fortu
naey for the nation Mr. Edward Mcp erson the Clerk Of
the House had the ability and the coursgeto
execute his duty The House was organized by the re-
representatives. Of the loyal Staes alone aud the election %
Schuyler Colfax removed all immediate danger But tho
future dark with perils Of unknown magnitude Ac-
ton demanded. We hold it well Tor The United States
that Thaddeus Stevens that Offered the famous reso
luton by which Congress was saved from the disgrace OF
having Rebels TO legislac upon tho conditions Of their
return. Reso'ysd fly the Senators and House OF
representatives, IN Congress essembled), That joint
Committee of IL shall be appointed nine Of whom shall
be members Of the House and six Of lie Senate who shah
inquire into the condition Of the States which formed tho
so-caed Confederate States Of America, and rcport
whether they, any Of them, entitled to be repro.
sened in either House Of Congress with leave TO report
at any time, by bill or otherwise; and until such
report shall have been made end finally acted upon by
Congress no member shall be received in either House
from any Of the socaed Confederate States, and all pa
pers relating the Repre- cnages Of the said States shall
be referred to tho said Committee Tls resolution gave
Congress the basis Of policy from the beginning was
passed the House by vote Of l23 TO rs receiving the
approval OF Mr.. Raymond and a few others, who have
since opposed the principles it emboas Though the last
clause was struck by the Senate it. efficiency WAS not
impaired.
The Presidents message which read the next day.
though more moderate than had been expected placed him
at once in opposition the Union party, by his assertion
that ga concession Of the elective fanchse 10 the freed
men by act OF tho President Of the United States
have been extended to ell coored men, wherever
found and must have established change OF suags
in the Northern Middle and Western States not less than
in the Southern AMI Southwestern TINS argu-
ment if valid in respect was valid IN al;
from that day this has dared to deny that wans
of power to nterfere with tho Re 81 States IL this n
sance-impled want of power s.'og2her We held then
we hold now that the Presiden, had precisely the sams
right to authorize loyal black citizens vote tia. he hal
TO appoint Provisional Governors. His argument omitted
the all important fact that the Rebellion had paced ths
North and South very different relations to the Govern
ment.
| Early in the session tho spirit Of Congress found
preston in proposed to the Const
ton providing for the establishment Of civil rights for 81
citizens without distinction OF color and demanding that
/
the qualified number Of voters in each State. Bills pro-
hbiting the assumption payment Of the Rebel debt,
or the reputation Of Sny part Of the National debt,
were offered and referred TO the respective commees
Others contemplated the establishment Of impartial suf
faGe in the District Of Columbia. All Ct these measures
received the determined opposition Of the Democratic
minority Another difference between the President and
Congress was caused by his removal of the Provisional
Governor Of Alabama, and presentation OF thu
State Government TO the officers elected By ths
people. This action was thought 10 be equivalent
to declaration that Congress lad no control
Of the subject, which was especially surprising, a
it was then employed IN egsaing fsr tho restoration OF
the States December 90 the Senate is repyto reso-
luton requesting information TO whether the Rebellion
had been suppressed etc. received message from the
President ncosing special reports from Gen. CAR
schurz and Gen Grant upon the condition Of tbs
South. The message was characterized by Mr.
Sumner as an attempt to "whitewash" the IN
happy con lton OF tie Rebel States, and
many facts cet By him 10 show that the President
mistaken his statement that spirlt of nationality
succeeding tie sectional aamosity oft South. The
report Of Gen ScAgrz contained tie strongest Evidence
that the late Rebels bel little e9lse Of national Oblsa-
tons and Yss chiefly anxious 70 regain political power,
and compensate themselves for lclos or slavery By keep
ing tho negroe, il abicct sergt1le Both Houses al
=
no important measures had baen matured though many
had been proposed.
January s. Congress resumed its session. and acting
upon the information the President had furnished in the
reDdrs Of Gems. Grant end oorz M. Williams intro
duced resolution declaring Tho OF the House that
the United States troops should not be withdrawn from
the South Gea Grant shortly after indorsed this opia-
ion In virtual reply 10 this ead smar acts Mr. Voor-
heOs of Indiana January g. introduced resolution de-
clarng that Congress Endorsed the whole policy OF the
President but the matter referred 10 the COMMITTEES
on Reconstruction by large majority The next day Mr..
Kelley of Pennsylvania stated IN the House that tho Prs
sdcnt hal personally assured lin ne IN favor Of negro
suffrage in the Dstgic. Of Columbia and IN Tennessse,
This subject continued TO be debated til the Dill establish
ing impartial suffrage in the District finally passed the
House. January - b. vote of l6 10 81 In the Senate
the subject repeatedly taken up but not acted upon
| Continual attempts were made fom tine TO time 20
obtain the admission of Senators aud Representatives.
from Rebel States bat their credentials when presented
were either laid or the table or referred tho COMMITTEES
on Reconstruction. Even in the absence Of declared
policy such men a. HeIshel " johnson of Georgia could
hardly have hoped TO gain adittance to the Senate.
February 49, the House. by series of resolutions offered
BY Mr. Longycar of Michigan, virtually asserted the right
of Congress to deal with the whole subject Of reconstuc
ton declaring the existing governments Of tho Rebel
States be provisional and temporary, and offering its
constitutional authority TO guarantee 20 each Repub-
csn form Of Government In tha meanwhile the Presi-
dent had afsw interviews with coored delegations and
great many with Rebel embassies and his published
speeches showed that the negro yas,s had little reason
to hope for reward while the paoned traitors had less to
| fear punishment.
But Presidential opposition and that Of the Democratic
1 III