The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-05
The Radicals Meditating Retreat-Man
festO from FOTney.

From The World.
In Thursdays Philadelphia Press, there was a
staggering letter from occasional" (Forney),
defiant, double-leaded, filing two columns, the
burden of which seemed to be, at irst blush,
we're confident and eXultingly insolent predic-
ton of the complete triumph of the reconstruc-
ton policy of the radicals over that of the
President. By ''the knowing ones" in the Re.
publican party, this cascade of frothy insolence
viii be interpreted ''by the rule of contraries"
The radicals begin to feel that they Cannot
safely go befors the country with the most
offensive feature OF their plan-the distranchise-
ment OF the whole South till 1870. AS prepara-
tory to backing out OF that part oft they make,
through Forney, a valnglorious parade OF
their strength, as general who finds himself
in an unsafe position makes bold demonstra.
ton with his rear guard, to cover the retreat of
mis- main body.
The radicals we're iistrustful as to how their
plan would take, i'll the very act OF broaching
it. Instead oil bringing 1t to immediate decision in
Congress, they postponed action till the eleventh
day after its publication, in order that they
might gather indications OF its acceptance with
the public The dsfranchisement section so
oversboots the mark, it makes the whole olan
seem so dishonest, so selt-annihiating, that 1t
has been received with little favor even by the
Republican journals. In this city, besides the
Democratic journals, the Times, EueniRg Post,
and commercial Advertiser have opposed 1T with
more or less vieor and decision, while the 1ri-
bltae the only abettOr oil the report accompa-
MED its publication with short article in which
the plan was dscredited by presenting one
which that paper thought preferable, and 1t has
since had little to say on the subject The inde-
cent aosurdity OF the dlsiranchisement section
was Immediately made so glaring, that Forney,
who is an observing politician, sees that it will
never do. Before lurther describing his letter
we will quote the passage for the sake of which
the whole must have been wr1tten:-
friends OF nv policy are conscious OF these facts,
Than their attempt TO rekndle the tire of haired in
the South. by dwelling upon that poruon OF che
report of the Joint committee which prevents certan
enumerated classes from voting until 1870. Sap
pose, however, tha' Congress, satisfied that tue
SOU hern people willing in good faith to accept
the other portion of this comprc hensive programme
should consent to allow these classes TO VOTE and
should follow this by granting every southern State
I hat Tatihes the new article OF the Oonsttu.
ton immeOate representation, what then becomes
OI crusade winch, as the experience OF the
country SINCE the meeting OF Congress has too
sadly shown, has had no otl er Object Dut tho gra-
h6catiOn OF a selfish ambition on the one hand,
and an GconceIVaOle spirit OF reVenpe against q
gen. rOus and conhding people on the otherP
Considering how egregious blunder the dis
reimbursement section IS, the radicals would no
doubt do discreet thing Il they withdrew 1t
before they get their party fully committed, But
in politics, as in war, retreat in the face of the
enemy is a dangerous operation. Forney is
managing with considerable address to conceal
tbe true character OF the contemplated retreat.
Ills long letter moves Will tue eAultduI Iredu OF
an army marching to victory. He puts over 1t,
in huge staring capitals, Harmony" Then fol.
lows, as preliminary flourish number two, these
headlines in large snowy letters:- 1.-THE Report
OF the Committee on Reconstruction sure to be
adopted by CONGRESS and ratified by the State
Legislatures" Then, after another break, still
in staring type, these:-'It guarantees Freedom
and Equality to all our citizens, and Mag
nan nifty and Generosity to the recent
enemies OF the Republic" Alter this prelusory
waving OF banners, Forney goes on to brag how
certain It Is that the Committees plan will be
triumphantlyf adopted by two-thirds of both
Houses, to The great CONSERVATION of the Presl-
dent; how the Northern State Governors will
call extra sessions OF the State Legislatures;
how. before autumn, 1t will receive twenty-five
OF the twenty eight Overweight since Colorado
is admitted) needed Publications; how the South
ern people will then see that il is President
johnson and the COpperheads that are keeping
them out of the Union; how the Southern States
will fiji the President with dlsmaV by their
alacritY in accepting the plan OF the Committee;