Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-09-19
CONGRESS ALL RIGHT
What Democratic paper has to say about
the Proposed Amendment.
From the N. Y. Herald, of Sept I3.

From the n. Y Herald, of Sept I3
THE RECENT AND COMING ELECTIoNs-THE
PROSPECTS.
1t is an historical axiom that revolutions
never go backwards. Its truth has been
affirmed In the great political events of this
country since the adjournment of Congress,
| and especially In the recent State elections.
1t was reasonable to suppose that the ia
coblnlcai violence, recklessness and ferocity
OF such political reformers as Ben Butler IN
the East, Senator Chandler in the West.
ami Parson Browniow in the South, would
have damaging effect upon their party
when brought to Judgment before the peo-
pie; but it is strikingly apparent from the
result of the late elections in Maine that
the popular mind is controlled by larger
questions, against which the sayings or do
ings of this or that fanatical politician go
for nothing That great body of the Ameri-
can people to which we are indebted for the
suppression of the most formidable rebellion
in the history of mankind, are evidently de-
termlned to have substantial securities for
the future before they pronounce the good
work OF the restoration of the Union COM
plete-that, In short, Southern reconstruc-
ton shall rest upon the solid foundation of
the federal constitution, regardless of the dis
turblng forces Of radicals, copperheads, reb-
els, ruffans or fanatics, North or South
From the elections which have occurred
since the constitutional amendment was
adopted by Congress for the reconstruction
OF the Southern States, we are satisfied that
that amendment is to become the basis Of
Southern restoration-that it will carry and
be carried by all the Northern State cleo
tions yet to come, and that, with New Jer-
sey leading off, it will be ratified by them
all and become part and parcel of the su-
preme law of the land. Nor have we any
fear OF the consequences. There is nothing
after all, so very Objectionable in this amend
ment-nothing which President johnson
himself has not at one time or another, re-
commended to some Southern States or to
Congress, and nothing upon which there
should have been a disagreement between
the President and Congress.
This amendment Is the reconstruction
plan and platform of Congress, and there is
no good reason, we say, why 1t should not
have been adopted also by the President,
inasmuch as he stands committed in some
shape to all It's provisions. 1t is not the
platform of Thaddeus Stevens, Sumner, or
any of the noisy radicals of Congress- They
can do nothing 1t was adopted against
their remOnstrances and in spite of their
threats. 1t embodies substantially, in fact
the President s original programme, and if
carried in these coming October aid Novem
ber elections-as we predict it will be, from
Massachusetts and New York Westward
we trust that the administration, in defer
ence to the will of the people, will come
back to it. Why not? Surely this amend
ment engrafted upon the constitution will
be amply sufficient for the restoration of the
Union, internal peace, sectional harmony
and the security of the government and the
Treasury for many generations to come,
against all disturbing factions Of either sec
ton. Parson Prownlow, in leading off with
the State OF Tennessee for the ratification,
has shown that good thing may be done
by bad man and for bad motive; but
that Tennessee should thus lead off for this
amendment is very remarkable and signiti-
cant fact-that New Jersey should next fol-
low Is almost as strange; but from good or
bad designs, thus started, the amendment
will surely 90 through.
The President quarrel and rupture with
Congress was an unfortunate mistake. From
recent events, South and North, it is clear
that it will prove a fatal blunder to his ad-
unless he abandons it as the
issue before the people The old contests
in England between King and Parliament
are full of instruction on this subject Had
Mr.. johnson taken our friendly advice, and
made the distinguishing features of his ad-
ministration vigorous foreign policy and a
sound financial system, he might ere this
have become as popular President as An
drew jackson. He has yet a fair field be-
fore him. in which TO retrieve his misfor-
tunes. Let him begin de moro, by recon
struction of his Cabinet, beginning with his
particular marplot, the Secretary of State
and let him give US a Cabinet and policy,
foreign and domestic shaped to meet the
exigencies Of the Cay and the developments
of public opinion, and bis administration
may still become universally acceptable and
gloriously successful. We speak to him as
a friend, and, we think, in the voice of the
people.