The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-24

ments But there are others In Congress who
prefer TO regulate the whole subject by laws
Among these are the most who wish TO meet
squarely the rugged Issue OF negro Suffrage
Tn the last Congress Mr.. Winter Davis came
very near carrying through such law. Sub
stantially the same measure Is now before
Congress again, and Is known a. Ashley's bill.
Numerous Congressman have urged this upon
the Presidents attention, and more have
pressed the general policy Of providing rather
by law than by constitutional amendment the
guarantees which the entire Union party
with exceptions too insignificant TO be men
tioned) agree in considering essential TO any
safe organization.
that he considered Mr.. Ashley's measure SIM
ply a bill for the dissolution of the Union. He
had risked his own life and property to pre-
serve the Union. The people of the country
stood and had stood upon the position that the
rebellion was to be put down, and the States
thereby kept in the Union. Mr.. Ashley's bill
now proposed TO turn them out and prescribe
conditions for their return.
He thought the true course for the Union
party to pursue was with open arms and
cordial hands to welcome these States into
participation in the Government. Thus we
would have them the friends of the Union
party, and not make them its enemies by slam
ming the door In their faces.
THB PRESIDENTS STATEMENT OF HGs own THEORY
OF RECoSsTRCCTIoS.
In such connections, the President has more
than once stated his own theory of reconstruc-
ton in words much more explicit than have
found their way into the public documents.
During the rebellion the loyal Government
had in q sense been overthrown. 1t was there
fore the duty of the United States and of the
President, during this time, TO do all in their
power to secure to these States republican
governments. This became especially his own
duty us one charged with seeing that the laws
were executed. His o,Cn action in prescribing
terms upon tohch these States should be recognized,
4 =, l.
,otM their forms of State government, nor in sofar as
il seemed to empty that they ,oOuM not be recognized
as States unless they complied toih his conditions,
,cns in reality and tDdS meant TO be only ddutS0ry
He had not intended that his own require
ments should be considered as conditions pre-
cedent, which the Executive, or any branch,
or all branches of the Government, had any
right to exact, before these States should be
entitled 10 recognition as States in the Union.
In fact, these States were entitled 10 be
represented in Congress all through the rebel
lion. Indeed, there tcnS' greater reason for their
being then represented THAI. there lcdS at other times
Congress had repeatedly dealt with them as
States during the rebellion. Members from
Virginia for example, were admitted. Direct
taxes were apportioned among them Just as
among the other States. The ninth section of
the act of the 9TH of June, 1862, in it's latter
clauses, recognized the same principle.
The rebel States are, therefore, now In the
Union Indeed, their governments are more
republican, more democratic, more IN harmony
with the spirit of our institutions, than they
ever were before. If Congress would only
look out there now, it would see legislators,
Governors, State officers of all grades, mem
bers of Congress, all elected by the people !;
courts in session, taxes being collected, mails
being carried. Surely these made States in
the Union, if they were ever in 1t.
OF THE ADMISSION OF SOUTHERN MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS.
In numerous interviews the President has
stated to different gentlemen, in substantially
the same language, his views concerning the
admission of rebel congressman. In one OF
the minutes before me, ma memorandum
to this effect:
He repeatedly alluded to its being the
prerogative and constitutional duty of each
House to Judge of the merits OF each claim
ants election by itseH. This also was the wise
way of keeping bad men out of Congress, who
might not, through personal disqualification,
be entitled to seats. But it was grossly
wrong to exclude States because OF objections
to individuals Each claimants case should
rest on and be decided according 10 HIS HUI
vidual merits.
Representation in Congress was but one OF
the rights of States under the Constitution
Exclusion from Congress does not, therefore,
prevent these rebel States from enjoying and
ever,ising other constitutional rights over
which Congress, in spite OF its denial OF their
rights, has no control.
THE PRESIDENT on PARTY POLICY.
In the same line of conversation, the Presi-
dent, 4 few days ago, said TO certain Repre-
seutatiyes that the South had travelled great
way in a short time. They had freed the
slaves They had provided that no future
legislation should enslave them. Ihey nad
recognized certain civil rights OF the late
slaves. They had adopted the constitutional
amendment prohibiting slavery.
Under such circumstance the pubic senll-
ment of the country would sooner or later
insure their recognition by Congress For
himself he would feel personal prlde IN
having this accomplished by the same Union
party which had carried the country through
the war. Such party, with such II history;
ought to finish its work by bringing back an
these States into their true relations Ill fully
restored Union.
Recently, certain prominent men OF MasSa-
chusetts, in Il conversation with him, had DIS
closed fear that our party ascendahcy might
be endangered If the South should come III,
and should act (as it always used 10 act) as
unit Yet, how many members were there 10
be let in from the rebels States? Only nifty
eight But the House has now over two hun
dred CIn this the President made mistake
The House has but one hundred and eighty
two) It argued a large amount of distrust OF
the North, and large estimate OF the power
of these fifty eight, to suppose that they could
ruin the Government or obtain the ascend
ancy in Congress.
FEELING AND BEARING OF THE PRESIDENT.
Throughout all these interviews the Presi.
dents manner has been kind and conslderate.
No lack of respect has been shown for Con-
gressmen; no disposition TO attempt any coer-
Give measures. On the other hand, he has
exhibited no sense Of dependence on Congress,
and no feeling of even the slightest apprehen-
sion MS 10 the result He constantly refers to
the people with a manifest conviction that
public sentiment is Overwhelmingly on his
side; and that in the event OF any difference
between himself and Congress on these points
the party and the coun try will be sure to sus-
tain him AGATE
PRENTICE CAUGHT.-Why does he (the edl-
tor of the Democracy, if he, in his great ambi-
ton, wishes TO hold the highest possible place
in the world black his face and IA white man
and talented one as we confess him to be-
pass himself for n niger rs black as thou
sand devils ?-LOuiSriHe Journal.
II wouldn't do. Every other man we met
would be saving How are you, Prem
t;oo yo,,feriUs DemocrUf