The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-02-20
our Washington correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Feb. "A. 1866.

WASHINGTON, Feb. "A. 1866.
The Congressional tribute to the memory
of Abraham Lincoln has been great occa-
sion. Everything passed off smoothly. The
orator of the day, Hon. George Bancroft
was in fine health and spirits, and his effort
was vel received by the large audience as
gembled to hear him. Owing to the greater
interest felt in this memorial occasion but
little else has been done here for some time
Fred. Douglass deliverd one of his very best
lectures here last Tuesday evening. His au-
dience was large, intelligent and attentive,
but mixed as to color. Chief Justice Chase
presided. He said so many good things it is
in vain to attempt to give them all. Allud-
ing to the mooted question whether the rebel
| Iious States were or could be out Of the
Union, he said that "from all he could hear
from his friends at the South, he had been
forced to the conclusion that the Union was
pretty well out of some of the States"
had the good fortune recet tly to listen to
a conversation between a certain Republican
member of Congress and Ge2. Brisbie, who
has been in command in Arkansas and other
Southern States The General, leaving ali
surmises and theories to others, contents
himself by stating in clear, concise way the
plain facts as they fell under his observation.
He Will probably go before the Committee of
/ fifteen on Reconstruction. His representations
are fully confirmed from every reliable sonrce.
The state of things existing at the Sonth
clearly demands immediate and efectual
cation for the protection of those who thro
the war have been loyal to the Government.
They are prosecuted on every hand, and even
their right to life is not respected.
Encouraged by the Presidents unexampled
magnanimity-for it can be called by no other
name-in restoring to them their justly for
feited rights, they assume to carry all before
them with high hand and they fondly sup
Iposed-unti Congress nipped their young
hope in the bud-.th the day was not far
distant when they, with the northern Copper
heads, should rule things again throughout
this land, as with rod Of iron. The bluff
game they hoped would succeed, but having
been called down they will have to show
their hand and lose the bet.
The next programme l take it will be to
assume a hearty Unionism,-all except the
Negro Suffrage,-and to attempt to regain by
strategem what was lost by open war. 1t
need occasion no surprise should some of the
most virulent and prominent rebels 60 into
the Union speech business, and scatter their
patriotic effusions broadcast over the land.
/ The delusion that Congress is principally
to blame for the delay and inconvenience
experienced b. ex-rebels in getting into Con-
gress, and consequently into fair fighting re-
lations with the loyal party-has been dis
solved by the report Of a delegation of South
ern gentlemen, who have visited some of the
principal cities of the North on a tour of in
quiry. The report of one-the Chairman
believe of the legation-rendered verbally
to his compatriots who had been waiting here
"hugging the deluSiye phantom of hope" was
exceedingly brief quite to the point, and no
doubt strictly true. Here is the report "Con-
gress is bad, but the people are id sight
worse we must change our plan"
The plan is, of course to get into Congress
then into power, and then-woe be to al
niggers and Yankees.
In the present situation I thinkit behooves
all truly loyal men in Congress to inquire
what legislation, if any, is necessary to keeT
the Republican party in power for the mex
ten years. Therein alone is our only safety
against being violently driven back on the
line of our onward march, to our former
wretched condition. if not to one still worse