Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-06-27
WASHINGTON, ID. c., D
June %, 1866. {
JOHNSON AND RECONSTRUCTION.

June %, 1866.
JOHNSON AND RECONSTRUCTION.
MIR. EDITOR The President is no more
satisfied with that Congfess:ous! scheme of
Reconstruction which meets the approval OF
his supporters in Congress, than he was with
that which met their condemnation. To-day
he has gratuitously favored the House with
message informing them that he had sent OIL
DIAL notice to the Governors of the various
States Of the passage of the amendment, and
at the time declaring himself entirely OPP
posed to the amendment. He took occasion
to reterate his favorite argument of the alb
scence of eleven States, and urge the uncon-
stitutionality of any measure done in their alb
scence. 1t seems really astonishing that he
should entertain ideas little different
from Alex. Stephens, and SO utterly opposed
TO ii his own actions when in the Senate after
the commencement of the war. Stephens
pretended to say that at any time during the
war representatives who might have been sent
by the rebels could have constitution0iLy de-
manded and obtained admission. Johnson, 20
be consistent, must come TO the same conclusion,
aud did we not know him TO be the most in
consistent of men, We should hardly know how
TO vote him any better in the matter Of
loyalty than the most badly reconstructed. We
do not think Johnson intends to be in any way
Gssimllated with the rascas, but being so terribly
malignant, Jealous and estimate, he naturally
falls into the habits of thought, feeling and
-, J. al
as they are old friends. The consequence IF
course Is that be is rendered douby fierce
against those VITO in any manner oppose or
seek to better his unfortunate acts. 1t
hoped, till the idea to-day dispeiled. that
he losing a little of his bitterness, and,
passing over the action of Congress in silence,
would be con tent to make the best OF what be
could not help, and become once more Z friend
Of loyal men. His message, though it aston
ished some, and placed his friends in the House
, n bad situation, only excited the determ ma
ton among the great majority to compromise
more with wrong for the sake of peace. 1t
has had a salutary effect, for 1t has shown its
authors real position, and awakened the zeal of
many of his lukewarm opponents.
GOV. BROwNLow.
In glorious contrast 10 The spirit of this mes
sage Is that of Gov. Brownlow, his illusIrious
compatriot during the darkest hours OF the
the Tennessee Legislature
together to ratify the constitutional amend
ment. Thus while one of these men,-both OF
whom owe everything t. the Union,-elevate1 .
to the ghest place in the land, iabors simply
for the Union 5 enemies, the other, raised TO
the rule OF a rebs. etate, unable TO forget the
obi alton ne owes, seeks only restore the
Union in such manner hat truth, justice and
righteousness may eyermore reign supreme,
and treason never more De thought of.
REPORT OF THE RECONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE. "
The evidence submitted 10 the Reconstruc-
ton Committee mas been printed, aud will soon
be ready ior distribution. l; ferns large
book Of over 500 page@-and il no other place,
We venture 10 say, can greater record OF
cruelty aud crime be found. Il will be q very
valuable document to a! who may obtain it,
for besides containing much about the present
fearful of the South, it sets forth in a
startling manner ulauy Passages 10 the nls.yr
of secession, with the opinions of its originators,
both as then held and as now changed. A
cursory glance over the book cannot fail to
interest one, aud close p~rusai must convince
one Of the absolute necessity #, at least, that
caution which mas been manifested by the loyal
Coz gressmen and the ruin which would have
inevitably resulted from adherence 10 the Pres
ident's policy.
CONGRESSIONAL MATTERS.