Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-10-12
nounce Congress as "traitorous" and
as "hanuinp on the verge of the pOv-

eminent; and Don QulXOte IKE W
fight the windmills'' of his own pas
sions, while he fancies he is "fighting
rebels at the other end of the line"
This is moderate representation OF
Johnson's bearing upon this question
of reconstruction. Now let US for
moment see if Lincoln's was the same.
True, he issued similar proclamations
to the loyal people of Louisiana and
Tennessee; but that was during the
war and before the general question
of reconstruction came up at all
They were also issued to the loyal
men of those States, who during the
war had assisted the national cause,
while the rebellious portions were aid
ing the Confederacy. They organ
lied State governments, and elected
Senators and Representatives; but
did Congress admit them? No. Did
Lincoln thereupon insist that they
should be admitted, and get angry, and
denounce Congress as traitors when
they refused? No. Did Lincoln con-
denim the test oath, and declare that
no constitutional guarantees were nee
essary before they were admitted ? No,
nothing Of the kind. President Lin
coin and Congress worked together
in perfect harmony during the war,
and had he lived, it is our opinion
they would not have disagreed upon
the manner in which tn e seceeded
States should be restored. Had he in
the outset started off with Johnson
exact scheme, when Congress and the
loyal masses had demanded guaran-
ties, he would not have denounced
them as "traitors," but would have
yielded, and cast the immense influence
Of his position with those who had up
held the government, and not with
those who have done their utmost tC
destroy it. But enough upon this
point. Let not the sacred name anC
memory of Abraham Lincoln, the
christian patriot be DETAINED by as
Sociating it with that of Andrew
Johnson the political apostate; Meth
er let it be associated with Johnson'E
nefarious scheme for reinStating REBEL
in authority. and turning the govern
ment and loyal men North and Soutl
over to their tender mercies.
The Judge not only does not pre-
tend to defend Johnson's plan, but h
does not show that the Congressional
plan is faulty; simply says that Con
greSS has no plan at all; and that W
told an untruth III stating to our read
erS that there was u Congressiona
plan of reconstruction. Yes, tn
point of his letter is, that we told a
mqruth /; and to prove it he gives e2
tracts from the independent all,
, then says, "if we would not prov
false to our party leaders We shoulC
retract." We hey leave to inform I'll
Judge that in political matters, as i
all others, we think, speak, and &C
for ourselves, and hold ourselves RI
: spOnsiblc for what we say and dc
If we have made any miSstatement
, it is our duty to correct them, but W
shall never as k abSolution therefor q
! the hands of any political or part
o leaders. But, let US see if we di
misstate. 1t is true the Independen
a politico-religious paper, is oppose
to the admission of the Rebel Repr,
sentatives until the Constitution is S
= amended as to give the negro the ba
+ lot 1t also claims that Congress
! under no obligation to admit thos
o States, even though they ratify tt
n amendment already proposed.
J. To have been fair, the Judge ougl
l. to have stated, that the very article
It the Independent from which he mac
o the above extracts, to show that we hs
J. told an untruth, was written for tt
V purpose of scolding the Nation
it Union, Republican committee for ha
D. ing stated in their address to the pc
J. pie that the adoption of the ne
n amen dment by the rebel States WI
q the condition of their admission
10 Now, which, we ask is the best authC
n. ity on that point; the Republican col
Ell mittee, the mouthpiece of the part
r, or the Independent The Judge sa
" the Tribune and other radical pape
IS hold the same views with the Ind
b. pendent. But Horace Greedy, Il
m great editorial light of the Tribune
- one of the National Commi ttee, al
ID signed the address above referred
e. The question, however, is not VIII
D. different papers, or different men sa
lie but is what Congress will do. Upt
N this point we can only Judge the t
e. ture by the past. Late last sessiC
Ell Congress proposed the amendmen
t. The representatives from the reb
ii States stood knocking for admissio
il Leading members of Congress to
II them to ratify the amendment al
Ie they should be admitted. Tenness