The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-24
The Admission of Tennessee President
johnson Master of the Situation.

From, the Herald
The adoption by the Senate of the Il Duse Joint
resolution, slightly amended, recognizing the
State of Tennessee as restored to the Union, and
consequently entIGled 70 representation i'll Con.
gross, practically settles the question IN regard
to the South No matter from what point of
view it may be considered, it amounts to a sur
render by the radicals OF the points for which
they have been conteDding so long against the
unanimous sentiment OF the country. When we
recall their former position in relation to restora
ton, we see at once the completeness OF their
defeat. They formerly held, with Mr.. Thad.
Stevens, that the South was mere conquered ter
rtory; that the Southern Legislatures were
illegal; that the State Governments OF the South
were not republican in form; and that negro
suffrage must be adopted as SEne qua non.
Now they admit that Tennessee is In the Union;
that she is entitled to her rights as State; tnat
the action of her Legislature is Legitimate; that
her State Government is republican; and that
her refusal TO adopt negro suffrage is no bar to
her restoration. few of the more honest and
| consistent radicals voted against the resolution,
| both in the Senate and the House; but Wade
and Stevens led the majority and hauled down
their colors. The defeat of the Austrians at
SudOWa was not more decisive.
The pIetense put forward by the radicals to
cover up their abandonment OF what they called
| their principles, is that the Legislature OF Teh-
nessee has ratified the Constitutional amend
| ment proposed bJ this Congress. That amend
ment simply provides that representatives snail
| be apportioned 10 the several States according
| to the number of male citizens allowed 10 vote
In each State that Federal or State officials who
| violated their official oaths by joining the Re-
belhon shall not be eligible for office; and that
the Rebel debt shall not be paid. This ground
has been covered before by the Southern Legis-
| latures, under the advice of President johnson
and, as Mr.. Sumner explained in the Senate and
Mr. Boutwell, in the House, it does not touch the
negro suffrage issue, once so vital to the radicals
| III.
| muster even corporaFs guard to preserve the
consistency of their party. The season tor re
| nominations and elections is approaching too
Dearlv for the radicals to commune TO DEFY the
| opinions of their constituents any longer upon
| The restoration question, and their panic was
| seReral and their rout disastrous. PROBABLY
they hope that by restoring Tennessee as sop
TO the popular Cerberus. they may keep the
stber seeded states out little lohger; but the
people are too intelligent to be deceived by so
transparent q scheme. They know that the ad-
| mission OF Tennessee cohcedes this whole sub
| iect of restoration; but they will not be any
more disposed to favor the reelection of those
radicals who have by their own votes confessed
themselves wrong. The idea OF party retain
ing place and power by repudiating itself is per-
tectly absurd; but it is precisely what the radi-
Gals have now attempted.
Great stress was LAID, both in the Senate and
the House, upon the whereas" which preceded
the jont resolution. 1t was altered and Jinkered
in every possible way, and some conservative
members declined to vote Tor it. Unquestionably
lne raulCaIS nope 10 get the 'WneredS" lnJO u
shape that will present some appearance OF
consistency with their former utterances and
record; but we advise them to waste no more
nme and trouble upon sopuerte an undertaking.
NOBODY cares what may be said IN the whereas" "
The resolution, which has been adopted, Is the
only thing that will have any practical effect,
and That resolution MAKES President johnson
master OF the situation. After all these weary
months OF bitter animosity Congress has adopted
the Presidents policy. The manner OF doing so
has been most ungraclous, but the fact Is none
the less apparent. The President did not ap
: prove of the Constitutional amendment which
Tennessee has endorsed: but his disapproyal
only led the radicals into q trap, for the Pres.
dent does approve Of the prlnciules of the
! amendment, although he thinks their repetition
| IN this form unnecessary The first article Of
< the amendment provides that all persons boru
o in the United States or naturallzed here are
# citizens thereof. This everybody admits as
logical consequence of the abolition of slavery
e and President johnson mas repeatedly asserted
1t. The second section provides for the appor
{ tCnment of representatives according to th(
e number of actual voters; but this Presiden
n johnson himself suggested. The third sechoI
IS excludes Rebels from Office, as President John
r. son has done. The fourth section prohibits tA
)f payment OF the Rebel debt; but President John
d son has already secured this Prohibition. Thu
e Congress has only done the Presidents wor
ie over again. The amendment will never Decom
d | part OF the Constitution, because 1t Is unnece
ID sary; but the other Southern States have only
,e indorse 1t, like Tennessee, aud they are at ono
g restored to the Union. Congress thus adopts ID
Is Presidents policy IN substance, and only dinei
e. with him about the form.
ie We heartily congratulate the President an
m the people upon their triumph over the radical
II Is VictOry that leaves the fanRtical faetio