Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-17
wHERE THE nEspoNsIRrLrTY Is.

| III hesSlon. LIE lhlrIy-elghtn congress faC
expired by CONSTITUTE nal limitation on tn,
4th of March precedi G. A new Congress
had not been elected ven from the alwayi
adhering States. Though but brief time
elapsed after the surrender Of Gen. Lee
army, which was the virtual extinction O
the rebellion, until the death of Mr.. LIN.
COLIN, there is no evidence extant that he
! proposed TO summon an extra session Of
Congress to consider the situation, and di-
rect the mode and manner in which the re-
voting States should resume their rightful
attitude in the Federal Union. The fact that
the Legislative department was incomplete
by election, doubtless had its weight in in
ducing him to refrain from such a call.
-Four years previously, when he assumed the
responsibility of declaring war, which was a
more important step than the conclusion OF
peace, he then only summoned Congress to
assemble ten weeks subsequently,. Besides,
he had defined and declared policy of res
toration, Substantially that of President
JOHNSON at that time, factiously defeated
II is true in the case Of Louisiana, by the
parliamentary tactics of Mr.. Sumner and
three or four coadjutors in tie Senate, but
which it is evident that he meant to pursue
in the work Of readjusting the disjointed
| Union.
President JOHNSON succeeded him, and
he proceeded with the work made necessa-
sary by the termination of hostilities, mod
flying the plan Of his predecessor as circum-
stances seemed to require, and indeed ex-
acting more stringent terms than there is
any evidence that Mr.. LINCOLN would have
demanded. To these, however, the recusant
States and their people acceded as promptly
as they we're permitted, and two months
prior TO the assembling Of the Thirty-ninth
Congress, the country seemed to breathe
free in the early prospect that all differences
causatiye of the war, and all questions de-
termined by it would be tremendously ad-
justed, and the great heart of the nation be-
gan TO pulse true to the high destiny which
renewal Of peace and prosperity promised.
Since Congress met in December all is
changed, and the responsibility for the de-
lay Of reunion, and the present distracted
state Of the public mind is with that body,
and those who uphold it, This is fair re-
ciltal of the facts, to the truth of which we
challenge denial, and upon the ample basis
they furnish, We charge the present uneasy
condition of the public temper and the ca
lamities it may entail, to the action of that
body.
The Presidents annual message was re-
spectful to Congress in every sense and cor
daily invited its cooperation in the impor-
tant work he had in hand. He stated clear
ly what he had done, and why he had done
it. He did not dictate. He did not refuse
their suggestions in advance. An impartial
reading Of that admirable state paper will
show that he sought their aid and counsel
He had been aloof from all parties, and had
given no encouragement to the formation of
any party for any purpose. History will
say that he had sedulously avoided all party
entanglements and looked with an eye single
to the great work of refounding the Union,
and repairing the ravages, moral and mate
rial, which the war had left.
Congress, under the lead of STEVENS in
one branch and SUMNER in the other, ex-
hibited prompt disposition to withhold its
support, and its ambitious leaders soon as
certaining their numerical strength, ar
rayed compact body of the majority of
both Houses, and openly opposed all further
progress of the health-giving work 1t
checked the President. 1t insulted him. 1t
defied him. 1t commenced to tear afresh
the almost healed-up wounds of the
body polite 1t has since wantonly and
wickedly made fearful strides towards ex-
citing another revolution. As far as
II is able il has bound the hands of the Pres
ident Not a step has been made in the d.
rection of 4 true and lasting peace since
December. BY their two-thirds maiorities
in the Senate and House, it has assumed
this fearful responsibility-one which might
well appal greater and holder men than they
are. They are rioting in triumph over their
last defiance of the people in the blow given
20 the Presidents action on the civil rights
bill, and chattering with satisfaction, as did
the fendish leaders of the Mountain in the
French Assembly, when they saw the waning
power of the great and virtuous leaders of
the Conservative members in that body.
Their conduct bodies all the evil they can
do, but we are of those who have faith that
the American people, abused and misruled
as they are, cannot be the puppets of the
mad schemes which these men contrive, and
that to whatever extent they may go, they
will not be able to send this nation through
another sea of blood before the sober, second
thought can rescue it from their control.