The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-10-01
THE SPIRIT or THE PRESS.

The Albany Evening Journal and other
radical papers would convince the least
knowing Of their readers the real issue in the
present political canvass is the adoption of
the proposed constitutional amendment. In
seeking to make this appear they are either
selfdeceived or are wilfully trying to deceive
Others The radical journals which represent
the dnimus Of the radical party, which speak
for the real leaders Of that party, scout the
amendment as a settlement" The New
York Sun, which has ever been strongly for
the Union and moderate in its expressions
on political party questions says:
"At first they only required the preserva
ton Of the Union; then they demanded free,
dom for the slaves; then they wanted certain
guarantees for the protection of the freed
men, and so on until they reached the pres.
ent point, when they require the South to
confer the suffrage privilege upon the freed
men. 1t is somewhat doubtful what position
they will next assume but we shall not be
greatly surprised to find them following the
leadership Of Wendell Phillips, in demanding
the impeachment Of President johnson.
Phillips is the real leader of the Radical
party, although he is usuallya few months in
advance of the main body. He was the first
to cry out for emancipation; he was the first
to demand suffrage for the freedmen; and
now he is the first to declare in favor Of i'm.
peaching the President.
docs any one suppose that the Radicals
would be content, even il the constitutional
amendment were adopted by every Southern
State? Is it supposed by any one that they
would then be willing to accord representa-
ton to the Southern States? No; the party
is necessarily aggressive. II must go on
from one degree of radicalism to another
until it is stopped in the course, and then
its end will come"
This view is sustained in the speeches Of
outspoken radicals and in their journals
The New York Independent Of last week
has another long article in this strain:
ave know personally every prominent
member Of Congress, and zoe knoiD that III,
leaders do not mean to admit The undd
miHed States on the mere adoption Of III,
amendment. Moreover, we know personally
the leading radicals of the Republican party
outside of Congress- and we know that they
hare no intention Of making the amend
ment the final measure Of admission. To
say, therefore, as the national committee
say, that, on condition of adopting the
amendment, as Tennessee adopted it, 1.-THE
door stands invitingly open for the ten other
States, as to make a promise TO the ear TO
break 1t to the hope"
The Boston Commonwealth, SUMNER
organ, says boldly:
Surprising the President should insist
that the southern States should adopt this
amendment, as he insisted they should adopt
that decreeing emancipation, or repeal Of
their secession ordinance, or the abnegation
Of the rebel debt, and they should adopt his
advice and ratify the amendment, does any
sane member Of the party believe they would
be admitted to Congress without further
guarantees? Not in the present temper o.
the loyal heart, most assuredly-not if the
dominant party understands what is to assur,
its permanence or to compass its defeat. Ii
truth, there would be no more confidence
that South Carolina and Louisiana woult
then do justice and walk righteously thar
there is now. Other guarantees would b.
absolutely needed; and Congress, imperillet
by the danger which environed it by the
adoption of this amendment, would, as Q
political necessity have at once to go further
and provide other safeguards of security ant