Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-11-20
COMING EVENTS.

In less than two weeks from TINS Gay,
eonclave, styling itself the American Con-
gfess, will convene in Washington. This
body will be composed of representatives from
twenty-seyen of the thirt5-six States which
rightly constitute the Union. At the last
session. there were only twenty.si1 States rep
resented, but under the control and direction
of Brownlow, the patron-saint of radicalism,
Tennessee has suffered the degradation of
being added to the list by the adoption of
tho Constitutional amendment, and will have
her delegation present at the approaching
ression.
What may be done by this rump Congress,
is matter of some consideration: if not Of
actual consequence. STEPPED in radicalism,
as it il, and burning with volcanic desire
for the, humiliation of the South, we may nat
urally anticipate the Introduction, if not the
enactment, of the most extreme tneasures.-
The Southern States with creditable una
nimity, and with spirit that does honor to
their PROSTATE. condition, are rejecting the in
iquitous constitutional amendment which was
referred to them by the last Congress as a
condition precedent to their restoration to the
privileges of representation 5and with calm
submission are awaiting the worst decree that
fate may have in store for them. Already
have the radical press and radical orators pro-
claimed the punishment they ara TO suffer for
their contumacy, and We have no reason to
regard the threats thus made as without
meaning. The intense hatred, which burns
with ineztinguishable fame, in the very heart
Of radicalism, must find relief and ventilation
in some form, and we cannot doubt that the
form selected will be the most oppressive and
cruel that can be conceived.
The programme of consequences to result
to the South for her rejection of the amend
ment in questions marked out by the less
discreet of the radical leaders-may be briefly
summed up as follows :-Abrogation of her
State governments the restoration of mar
mate confscation, with the granting of free
holds to negroes on the plantations whercon
they had been slaves; the impeachment of
the President the abrogation of all pardons
by the President, and trials for treason before
military commissions the sweeping disfran-
SA4SeIHSHI "a liza <AAN tH0 p~ASS1S5S "a
an Enabling Act to authorize certain classes
meaning the negroes and the so-called loyal
lists of the South, to erect new State govern
ments on the ruins of existing constitutions,
adopted at the betrest of Federal power
These constitute the main instruments of tor
ture to be applied in the qualification of
cowardly revengelby the next session of the
Would-be American Congress.
After closely observing the indications of
the times, We have no hesitation in express
ing the conviction that alISthat is here mapp-
ed out will be attempted, if not executed.
There is but one single obstacle in the way
to the complete execution Of the whole pro-
gramme, and that is the exercise of theSu
most executive authority. VIII the PRESS
dent stand between the people and these mad
men? Time alone can answer the question.
And if he does interfere, will he be sustained
by the conservatives of the North? Heaven
only knows, but we fear it is doubtful.