Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-01-15
Projected Radical Commission to Visit the
South.

1t is stated that the Committee OF Fifteen on
Reconstruction propose to send a special COM
mission to the South TO enquire into the condi-
ton OF affairs, with a view of obtaining inlUr-
nation to lay before Congress. This is one of
the recommendations contained in the volumin-
Gus report of CARRL ScuUEz, which President
JOHNSON treated with cool Indifference, that
appears to have greatly exasperated that pro
duct of European Red Republlcanisrn aud
atheism, and all his Radical confrereS. He has
ever since been iudustriously eXerting himself
to defeat the Presidents policy, and to array
the Republican party against him.
1t is to us, personally, matter Of Indiller-
ence how this committee Of fifteen shall choose
TO act. 1t is queer sort Of committee any
how, and appears to stand ont from all the
other committees Is little independent Gov
eminent OF it's Own-imperiIHs IN imperio. Ii
is the receptacle of all the resolutions offered
in Congress that have any reference direct or
remote to the South. Ii has come to be called
the graveyard committee, for when the Radi-
Gals wish TO bury any proposition, it is rererrSd
10 this committee. Hitherto, when a distASSo-
full measure was brought before Congress, it
was laid upon the table, indefinitely postponed,
OF peremptorily rejected. But IN these days,
when the relations of the Republican party to
she President are very delicate, and require
tender treatment, it would rot answer at all TO
vote to lay on the table. Indefinitely postpone
or absolutely reject shy measure referring to
his policy. This would bring matters to 4 head,
aud develop ell issue between the radical aud
conservative Republicans that it is desired TO
postpone as long as possible. IL would at once
divide the Republican organization into two
antagonistic parties, one administration, the
other ant-administration. This committee Of
iAeen is a convenient cOntriyance, by means NJ
which all such difficulties airs. avoided A per-
picking and troublesome proposition IS referred
10 that committee, which, by pleasant tic-
ton, is supposed e consider ii with view to
report. but WHICH is now understood IN prac-
tice, as really to have no intention either to
consider or report upon it. This dodge Keeps
up appearances, delays the ultimately nevi-
table split in the party, and avoids direct anu
open collision With the President. IL IS e0t
trick, device, eunningly constructed Raul
cal artifee 10 delay, and finally to Illustrate the
Presidents policy Of restoration. This IS every
day becoming more manifess, and cannot long
continue Such miserable make-shift is un-
worthy of the times and Of the momentous
subjects upon which it is designed to operate
Suppose the commission, that is, we pre-.
sumo, a subcommittee, composed Of a few o.
IN. members of this committee, To be sem
South: what useful ends will it compass >
None whatever. II will furnish pretext to
Congressional delay, but it will accomplish Ii
earthly good. Ii will come to the South Wi,
malice prepeBSC, with convictions alreAd
ormed. Il will learn nothing, because it wi
commence with the liked determination not
he instructed. II Will be willfuuy blind to al
and every manifestation Of Southern teeliI
that would clash with precOnceiyed opinion
deeply rooted prejudicesS and the gospel a
cording 10 CARL SCHURz. The members
this commission would not seek the acquain
ance orour people. They would not ind the
way into private families and converse unr
servedly with the members Of them they wou
not mingle with our professional men, our me
chants and mechanics. They could not, II
their time would not admit OF it, gOthrOugho
the country and converse with the sgrieultur
classes, which constitute nine-tenths of Il
population Ofthe Southern States. To do tn
satisfactorily they would have to go from hOu!
to house, which would be work, not Of da!
or weeks, but Of months and years. The
,wopId seek out and mingle with those fe