The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-08
The Great Issue and the Great Danger BE.
fore the Country.
From the Herald.


From the Herald
"Revolution!" said Henry Clay on an ina port
ant occasion before Congress, "we are in the
midst Of a revolution" The remark was not in.
applicable In his day; but it is a thousand times
more applicable to our present political situa-
ton. We had on Tuesday, for instance, resolu-
ton from the Committee on Reconstruction, de.
ining the position Of Congress in reference to
the admission of the members from Tennessee.
Ia order to show how far the exclusive policy
thus developed is in conflict with the Presidents
restoration policy, we reproduce this morning,
in tull, his admirable offhand speech of the 22d
OF February to visiting body OF the citizens of
Washington. j.
On the same evening, in support of the Presi-
dent, we had here in New York nam bg-pamby,
mill k-and-water speech from Mr.. Secretary Sew
ard, according to which everything was as il
should be, and President and Congress would
work attectionately together. But what is the
truth2 Let the intelligent reader look over this
frank, earnest and patriotic address OF Presi.
dent Johnson, and then to the subsequent pro-
ceedlngs OF Congress, and Mr.. Stewards speech
Will appear as mockery and a deluson,
10 repeat an expression TO which he owes his
fame as the great leader Of the Northern anti
slavery crusaders, there is an 'rrepressible con-
hoC between Congress and the Administration
in regard TO which we have no promise or pros
psct OF compromise The issue and the danger
thus broadly presented to the country, we think
we cannot too often or too earnestly submit as
demanding the instant and serious attention of
the American people.
What is this rupture between Congress and
the Executive? The PresldenJ contends that in
the reorganiZation of the Southern States on a
oasis which includes the ratification of the great
constitutional amendment abolishng slavery
the reputation OF secession and the Rebel State
debts, the recognition OF the sovereignty of the
United states, and the protection OF the freed
men in their civil riRhts the States concerned
are entitled to readmssion into Congress, so far
as they can present representative of approved
and undoubted loyalty. He pleads for their
restoration; he protests against the Instructions
placed in the way by "a central directory" he
complains that the course Of this directory
headed by Thaddeus Stevens is disorga1zing
and revolutionary; and he deplores the ten.
dencies OF Congress to constitution tinkerinp
as dangerous to the Government in its present
form, and preparing the way for despotic
system.
This Is the Presidents position. and his indiot.
ment against the Reconstruction Committee and
| the radical majority OF each House of Congress-
And what is their responsel That not one Re-
| preventative from the lately rcbellious States
shall be admitted into either House short OF a
| law OF Congress declaring each OF said States in
| its turn satisfactorily reconstructed and quail
| hed for admission. And what are the quali6ca-
tions demanded? On Monday last there was a
| report from the Reconstruction Committee to
the House, proposing TO admit the Tennessee
| members ION an equal footing with the other
Slales, On Ine express conulClOn that the people
| OF Tennessee maintain their present local laws
excluding all Rebels from the elective franchise
tor five years, and from egbllltg TO Office as
! long, and that the State shall agree never in
| any shape TO recognize any of the debts of the
Rebellion, nor claim or allow any compensation
for emAncipated slaves; and that these condi-
tions be ratified by the State before the act of
her admission shall take effect. This was the
| report OF the Committee; but it was referred
back to them with the objection from several OF
the members that this plan "does not afford suhi-
cient guarantees OF fidelity to the Union and of
protection to the treedmen.p
With the return OF the report to the House we
snail doubtless have these omissions provided
lori but We have enough to establish the spirit
and purpose OF this Congress In the indignant
refusal OF the House TO receive an official COM
munlcation from Governor Worth, of North
Carolina, we have the declaration in e1ect that
al the work OF Southern RECONSTRUCTION done by
tbe PRESIDENT goes for nothing; that Congress
rejects II, and Will apply Its own conditions OF
uaI- q - Alan