The Baltimore County union., 1866-02-24

4 late numbet If the Nsia Ycrk TIMES contains
an article hndet the abotS head. from which we
make the following exttsct:
Thus far, II must be admitted, majority Of
the Union Party in Congress, since The COM
mencement Of the present session, have not full
filed the expectations Of the friends of the Union
throughout tho country. Faction has too often
usurped the place OF patriotism. Radical theories
have impeded constitutional action. Insolence
has dictated terms to reason The statesman
ship that would restore the harmonious working
fall the States within the Union, and so restore
the Uuion to more than its original grandeur,
has been retarded-we will not say frustrated--
by the dogmatism and audacity of men whose
sole title to distinction rests upon their ability to
prolong the reign of Chaos. ~
Estimated simply in a party sense, such
course of procedure is suicidal. Practical legis-
lation is wanted, and we have had instead drea-
ry wilderness of debate. Cancellation and mag
nanimity are indispensable, and in lieu Of these
we have had displays ofdespotism and vengeance
unworthy Of q legislative body in any circum-
stances, and especially unworthy in the full flush
of the nations triumph. Within the halls of
Congress not single step has been yet taken in
the direction of reconstruction. Not only has
| nothing been done to assure the South OF its
rights under the Constitution, but the claims
even of tried Southern ioyalsts have been syste-
maticaily ignored 1t were a fatal mistake to
suppose that these things have not been closely
scanned and duly weighed by the great majority
of those whom the Union members represent
| And it were equally on error to believe that there
| is any general inability TO comprehend the con-
sequences of persistence in the course which has
| been until now pursued.
Among Union men the conviction is universal
that the party they have invested with controll-
| ing power in congress is now on its trial. Shall
the ration's confidence bejustfed or dishonored
Shall grand opportunities for usefulness be
thrown away Shall the work of disunion, frus-
trated on the battlefield, be consummated BY
pretended Unonsts in the Capitol or shall the
victories OF our soldiers be perfected and sealed
by the moral victories Of our legislators? These
inquiries, and such rs these, are uppermost in
the minds of the people. Yon may hear them
at every turn. In city or country, in the stree
amid your neghbors or in the hotel amid stran'
gers, in the East or in the West, these are the
questions which challenge attention. 1t were IL
every sense impolitic TO leave them long unan
swered. lmpOiitic in party sense, because they
involve the capacity Of the party for the labor'
q of legislation and administration in the existing
crisis. Impoitic in national sense, because
unwllingness or inability to heal the wounds
produced by war, and TO restore cordial and hap
py relationship the North and South, will in thu
end entail the weakness and antipathies OF &
country but nominally united. .-e-
The mingled contempt aud disgust which thu
tone and conduct Of the Radicals in Congress
have elected, bring into bolder relief the sagacity
and patriotism of President JOHNSON For al
that has been done in the way of reconstruction
we are indebted to him. While the Stevens fac
ton has heen trying to destroy the Union, b,
has labored quietly, but efficiently energeticall,
but consistently, 10 restore to the Union its ole
proportions Undismayed by the bullying ant
threatening of the Northern factonsts of to-day
rs by the bullying and threatening Of Southern
traitors during the conflict, he has pushed for
ward the reconstruction of the States with al
unwayering determination to recognize no prin
ciples but those which are engrafted in the Con
stituiion, and to acknowledge no dogma no
sanctioned by constitutional authority. Ever,
fresh occasion that is afforded him for the expires
sion Of his views and purposes strengthens hi
hold upon the public MUD. For his views ar
the views cherished by the Fathers of the Repub
lie and his purposes are the purposes for whicl
our soldiers fought and which all but the dis
union factionists are resolved to execute
While the prestige of the Radicals in Congress
is gone, and gone we hope forever, that Of th
President increases immensely. The country
on his side, as may be positively aScertained
the disunonsts insist upon a trial of popula
strength We believe that but word is neces
sary TO bring together proof that his opponent
and detractors, although pretending to occup,
Union seats, are at variance with the over
whelmng sentiment Of the Union Party. Non
know this better than the President. AM
hence his position, always strong, is politically
as we'll MS morally and constitutionally, impreg
nable 80