Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-07
The Second Sober Thought. y

The second Sober Thought
With the Constitution, the Union and the
President on one side, and radicalism on the
other, there cannot be any question as to the
ultimate issue of the contest now going on
The flag Of party is one thing, the flag Of the
country another thing, and when the flag OF
the country is held and unfurled by the head Of
the nation to rally the masses around him, the
attraction is irresistible.
The veto and the Twenty-secOnd speech came
almost as close together as the thunder and
the lightning. When they smote, they stunned
and bewildered the politicians in Congress-
Whether they would 90 mad and try to bite the
whole country, or whether they would submit
to the veto and the speech as wholesome dis
cipline, seemed for a season very doubtful
Passion "plucked them on" and prudence
"plucked them OIL" They wayered and re-
fiected. Sage men among them spoke word
in season, advice was given privately, and the
cost Of a rupture with the President was
counted. These things, together with the as
sertion by the two Houses Of their indepen-
dence, in the passage OF the concurrent reSo-
luton" that emanated from the Committee OF
Fifteen, have begun to tell favorably upon their
tempers. Evidence of a tendency to modera-
ton is not wanting.
The intelligent and reliable correspondent Of
the Boston Traveller, writing from Washington,
says " There is more calmnesS to-day than
81 any day since the veto message was sent in,
and il nothing is done to add fuel to the fire,
" it will die out ere long. The more calm and
" moderate men are rising to the surface
" GRIMES, SHERMAN and WILSON in the Senate,
" and BANKS, GARFIELD and BLAINE, q give
these names merely by way Of exampleS), in
l." the House, are to-day having more influence
"a than the extremists like CHANDLER and Sun
NER in the Senate, or STEVENS and Wilson,
" Of Iowa. in the House." The same writer
speaks Ofthe effects which will follow the speech
of Senator SHERMAN, and says that the more
men reflect the more they perceive now that
had there been less violence elsewhere, there
would have been less at the White House.
Whether the breach thus OccasiOned can be
repaired, is the question that suggests work for
prudent men in and out of Congress.
The usually accurate correspondent of the
Philadelphia Ledger has the following para
graph;
There is a most important rumOr aaOat this after
noon to the effect that Thaddeus has buried the
Ratchet and in future will work more in harmony
with the President. His first act Of repentance was
TO forward TO the President letter soliciting the ap
pOntment of Postmaster in Pennsylvania Tor
friend whom he (Stevens Endorsed in full, and which
the President received in his usual gracious manner
granting the favor asked for within an hour alter
wards
The intelligent Philadelphia correspondent
of the London Times, writing as far back as
January 10th, says 1t will not be long be-
fore an administration party is organized
throughout the United States" That party
has been formed-formed since the veto mes
sage was sent into Congress. 1t sprang in
moment into organization by what may be
called spontaneous action. We read in fairy
books Of trees that are planted, reach maturity,
blossom, and bear fruit at the same moment
So it was, in this country Of rapid develop
ment, with the Presidents party.
1t was fit that the politicians in Congress
should try the efficacy Of the d" second sober
thought" for there was danger that they would
be deserted by the masses.
The Presidents policy must sooner or later
prevail. The politicians in Congress cannot
long sustain themselves in opposition to it,
The popular pressure will drive them out of
Congress or into the support of his measures.
Politicians, unless backed up by their con
stituencies, are like trees without roots, that
soon tumble down.
II matters not to us by whom or by how many
the President is sustained; the more the mer-
rier. There is room ON his platform for the
whole peopc-tor Northern men and Southern
men, for Republicans and Democrats. We
would read no man out of the administration
party who supports the Presidents measures.
Far be it from us to promote the miSunder-
standing between the President and Congress.
1t is important to the whole country, especially
is it important to the South, that there shall
be harmony between them, and we yet hope to
see that harmony preyail-by waiver, on the
part Of Congress, of those measures which have
caused the disagreement.
When We lind Republican journals appealing
in behalf ofmoderation, as many are now doing,
we are encouraged to hope that ere long there
will be but one great party-the party of the
President, the Constitution and the restored
Union. As an illustration of the favorable
change that is going on, We append the follow
ing from the Pittsburg Chronicle:
'Itis now about time for parties who have been
irrtaed in reference 10 antagOnstic positions held
by the President and his friends and by certain
members Of Congress and their friends, 70 give over
such hostile expressions tend 70 widen the breach
and interfere with the public interests. The differ
enees may not be so radical as was supposed IN a
season of angry excitement. Upon most points i
will yet appear that Congress and the President
really agree and upon those where they have par
TALLY separated notifications may result in an en-
tre reconciliation. That is much the best course.
The President and the Union party should endeayor
In eoneelt 10 complete the great work they have SO
nO0y carried TO It's present attitude The people eN
peet them to do It. The people expect them 10 act
IN harmony. There was a sad and dissatisfied feel
ing concerning the late quarrel and we found the
most JudiOus thinkers az once casting about for
means to bridge the chasm and set all going smooth
ly again"