The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1866-02-07
The Committee on Reconstruc-
ton.


Reports from Washington inform us that the
immortal Committee of fifteen, known s5 the
"Reconsfruction Committee" OF Congress, is
about 70 visit the Southern States, charged
with the grave duty Of ascsrtaning the exact
state Of orr loyalty how long our prob alton
should be contnusd AMI when it would be ad-
visable 70 admit ,fs into the society of the "ds.
infected" States
The South can exPcc. no advantage from the
prospective abors of this rowing com MISSION.
We believe with the Richmond Times that
every act of Congress shows that Il Is the xed
and settled purpose Of ,hat body to keep the
Southern States in their present degraded and
colonial condition for a very great length Of
time. There are no signs that their pres ent
policy of exclusion Of the ; outh rom all par.
ticipation in the Legislation of the nation is to
be temporary and transient At first the most
sanguiue among US believed that all Of our
Congressman elect who could swallow the test
oath would be admitted to their seats. When
the door of Congress was insultingly slammed
in the face OF gil cf these Representatives,
without an isquiry as to their eligibility. 30 far
as the "test oath affected their admission, we
comfortcd ourselves with the hope that, in a
few weeks, all would he admit. ed This i'm.
preston kept few Southern Congressme en- in
the throng OF Washington claim agcntI and
lobbyists, hoping for admission after the holi.
dsys,
Contact with their most exemplary and con.
scrvative constituents would, We were assured,
bring the radicals to their senses" but they
returned to the Federal Capital more determine
ed to rivet the chains of colonial inequality up,
on the nth Than when Congress first assem-,
blcd. We ace at this time no more prospect
Of the admission 81 the Congressman elect
from the Southern States than of their direct
translation into heaven. The X ideals are nil
ing Peon upon 0ssa in the way OF oppressive
legislation.
TIE deIib Grafton and care with which they
are laying the foundation OF a policy which
seems intended to Inst for many years is the
very wo' st fes'ure OF the present Radio Al cru.
ssde. The pains which they are taking, by the
appointment of rowing Congressional commits
meous material for future use arc not concealed.
We are to be declared by committees Of Mr..
Caliax's appointment unv,rthy OF beng re.
stored to our political rights.
We cannot, without the mos, complete and
Illuminating selfabasement. protect our fair
fame from these assaults No Southern gen.
tleman could voluntarily parade before a rowing
Commission the proofs OF his sincere loyalty.
lie cannot struggle with mendacious letter wri.
tiers, "ferrets," and intelligent eontrabands, IN
their rush for the ear Of a rowing Cornn,isa saioh.
He cannot parade before a committee, which
has probably prejuiged the whole case, proofs
of his devotion 10 the SUrisn. Hence it will
probably happen that after s.vcral months of
careful monsing aud smelling. the 2oving Com.
mission will return to Washington with bud.
get OF facts aud observations" which will
gladden. the heart Of both Sumner and Stevens.