The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-03-02
CONGRESS.

LEGrsLATIxG for the American people in
this unhappy epoch Of heir political compli-
cations, is terribly difficult, hazardous and
responsible. Difficult, because the expert
ence Of precedent troubles furnishes no ex-
amples for guidance and direction. Hazard
Gus, because wild speculation SeliShness,
and ambitious demagogism are arrayed with
no mean force of number and intellect, against
the solid reason, and practical sense and
judgment of patriotic craftsmanship, which
these times SO urgently demand. Ultimately
one of the expedieuts which these graphing
beligerents propose, to re-unite aud frater-
nice our dismembered government, must be
adopted. will wisdom or madness FREEDOM
mater Here is the danger. Responsible, be-
cause the nation must be e1triGated from
the entanglements, in which a long reign Of
corruption and knavery has involved her, or
sink irretrievable in ruin, confusion and an
archy.
Is the government to be or not to be as
similar as possible to what it was before the
war, is the question that confrOnts Congress.
Are we still to have a Republic, or having
proved our incapacity to rightly appreciate
that form Of government are we to have y
monarchy? France, before the reign Of Ma
poleon, construed liberty into unboundedl IL
centiousness, requiring a Consulate TO bring
back our wandering reason by vigorous de-
crees? Shall the sword, the argument Of
tyranny, be the only safeguard of our nation
al greatness and unity7 VIII the South at-
ter being soundly thrashed upon an open field
and in a fair fight, still hold to the ~fallacies
which have wrought her ruin2 Congress has
no hope or belief that she will not.
Before Congress will or ought to do much
towards restoring the Southern States to
their proper positions of equality and iRau-
ence in the Union, " there must be a lille
more loyalty and much less discomfort mani
Tested down Sonth. The Southern press
must quit publishing so many Qualifications
Ofthe rebellion and fulsome laudAtions Of
Confederate heroes, and at the same time en-
dorsing 50 warmly the Presidents reconstruc-
ton policy. Here is an in~cOngruity, which
a large number Of our astute congressman
cant harmonizs." Rebel leaders must be
more cautious in their deliverances than was
Sneed, Of Tennessee, who asserted in a pub
lie letter not long since, that at the ouset
he believed the cause Of the SoDth was
right and he believed so yet, notwithstSnd-
ing its defeat. The South must not send
representatives to Washington elected upon
the merit Of services rendered in the rebel
army, and who cannot take the " test OATH.
tins t%aunting and insulting the government.
As much distraction as there Is in Congress
in regard to she admission Of the Estates
lately in rebellion, - there is 4 large prepon-
doranee, who strenuously insist that they
must give additional guarantees Of future
fidelity to the government before they can
again enjoy its privileges and blessings. The
teachings Of uneouscionable traitors vented
through the press and in public h%arrangueS,
must be abjured. Sectio nal animosities must
give way to a sound thorough Onion senti-
ment. They must evidence a good walk and
conversation. Actions must confirm profes.
sions. Instead Of denouncing Congress as
= cabal Of heretics and madmen bent on the
eternal prolongation Of their m%iseries, they
must regard it and appeal to it as an avail
ing source ofsuecour and restoration. Thus
descending from a height Of contemplate de-
Ganee aud presumption, to honorable humil-
ity and contrition for their treason, they will
be welcomed back to the fold ofthe Union on
terms favorable to an early requirement. Of
their self-sacrifced equality, influence aad
prosperity.
We feel sure that Congress will spurn all
outside oliciousness and reconstruct our
shattered nationality uublsmished by parti-
san rancor aud yindictiveaess.