The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-06

Government. The foundation Of their theory
they have not consented to explain. But the
theory itself manliesuy Is, that the interests OF
the Democracy are being promoted by whatever
serves to render the, harmonious and useful
action of the Government impossible. So at
least Ii has been up TO the present time. And
when change occurs we shall gladly chronicle
both the fact and the result.
Leaving the Democracy for the present out OF
the account, in what manner may existing diff
culties be most properly and readily oyercomel
Sooner or later some conce 5sion must be made,
on one side or the other; when shall the COM
mencement be, how, and by whomY These
are the questions OF the moment and each sue
ceeding report from Washington shows more
plainly the necessity of answering them practi-
The position Of the President does not admit of
misapprehension. He has done nothing which
calls for re raction, correction or defense. All
that can truly be said in regard to him is that he
has exerted the authority vested IN him by the
Constitution In the manner contemplated by the
Constitutions; that is, in conformity with the
dictates OF his independent Judgment. That he
has none of the aspirations of q usurper is
proved by his refusal TO accept the enormous
power which Congress conferred upon him. And
certainly his resolute adherence to the require
ments of the Constitution, his refusal to be- q
party to its violation In any particular, his tenn
perate appeals TO its provisions as the Law by
which States and Congress must be Judged, may
be regarded as evidence enough of the solidity
Of the ground upon which he stands.
Nothing short of revolution can drive him
from his position, and revolution, were that
possible, would be rather more likely to be in his
favor than against him. For he claims nothing
that is not by universal consent acceded to him;
asks nothing that he Is not entitled to ask; sug
gests nothing that he may not with propriety
suggest; and Ooes nothing which he has not
sworn to do to the best of his Judgment and
ability. 1t is therefore evident that President
johnson not only cannot, but ought not to re-
cede single step. All the concession which it
Is in his power to make he has already made.
And Inn Ntrnh Ntn1
attributable to him, but are the product OF indf-
ference or hostility to his suggestion, the rea-
sonable presumption Is that their removal Is iu
no degree dependent upon his will.
With Congress the case is different. The diff
culties OF which patriotic men complain origi.
nate there the obstacles to harmonious action
centre there; the responsibility arising out of
these difficulties rests there. Tie worst of the
matter is, however, that these difficulties are
wanton, needless, gratutous, and that the him
drance to their removal springs not from adhe-
renee TO any operative point of evident util ty,
bu; from an effort to dominate in manner at
variance with the Constitution.
Most Of the propositions looking to amend
ment OF the Constitution have nothing practical
to recommend them, since there is no likelihood
that they would receive the sanction OF the
number of States requisite to MAKE it part OF
the organic law. The weeks OF debate which
these amendments have ocCasioned have there
fore, been wasted; nay, have been worse than
wasted, because they have furnished facilities
aggression as against the South and the Presi-
dent, to which the present deadlock is largely
attributable. The very origin OF most OF these
amendments is alone sufficient to indicate a fer
tile source of evil and embarrassment. Emana-
ting from y secret and an irrepresslble Commit
tee, they reveal more of tendency 10 usurpa-
ton than is discoverable in any other quarter.
The tone in which more than one OF them has
been pressed upon either House has not been
calculated to tighten this impression, or to re-
concile the country to the functions or the plans
OF the committee OF fifteen.
So IL is also in reference to the unrepresented
South. Under the pretense of sustaining the
Reconstruction Committee Congress has me-
elected one of its most important duties 1t has
neglected the duty ofjudsing ofthe qualifications
OF Senators and Representatives. claiming to
have been lawfully elected, legislating for States
which are thus deprived of a voice in Congress,
and iustifying the President in The appeals which
he has 1slt himself bouRd to make. Even now,
1t IS understood, when single Southern State is
about 10 be admitted, although no; possessing
any better title to representation than other
Southern States, the act Of admission is to be
mSrred and morally weakened by preamble
reaffirming the whole ground of quarrel.
We submit, then, that for obvious reasons the
obligation OF taking the great decisive step in
the direction of harmony and governmental
peace devolveS upon Congress. The opportunity
Tor such step belongs exclusively to. Congress.
And continued neglect OF the opportunity, and
persistence in the course heretofore pursued,
will entail upon Congress the odium and the
punishment inseparable from prolonged opposi-
tion TO the nations will.
Let 1t not be said that we counsel the surrender
by Congress of q single iota of its constitutional
power or the sacrifice of even the least import
ant of its privileges. We suggest only the avoid
ance Of unnecessary grounds OF irritation, the
postponement OF amendments to the Constitu-
tion which cannot possibly be carried, the
abandonment Of resolutions which wear the air
and have the effect OF defiance, and the settle
ment of tho question OF Southern representation
on the basls prescribed by the Constitution,
rather than in conformity with the dictates OF
The country holds Congress responsible for
this deadlock, and it is for Congress, by the
| adoption OF concilatory temper to hasten
its removal, and so TO facilitate the really useful
| legislation Of which the country stands in urgent
| need.