The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-06-05
SIGNS OF CANCELLATION.

The tendency Of every practical act in the
work Of reconstruction on the part Of Con
Rress has been Of late TO discard impracticable
measures, and approach nearer and nearer
to that wise and humane policy which was
initiated by President JOHNSON in his work
Of restoration The simple principle upon
which The PRESIDENT has actedwas the recog-
milton Of the fact that the war against the re-
bellion was to preserve the Union and main
tain the Constitution and the laws. In so
doing Il was necessary that the States who
during the war had not participated in the
legislation ofthe country should assent TO the
laws which had been enacted by the loyal
portion Of the nation. Regarding the war
as closed, and the authority Of the United
States undisputed, and the dangerous ele-
ment Of secession forever eradicated from
American politics, and the disturbing ele.
ment Of slavery banished from our soil, THE
PRESIDENT and his councillors held that the
time had come when all the States Of the
Union should have a voice in making the
laws that were to affect the interests Of all
sections and the common destiny Of the
land, always provided that the persons sent
upfromtthe States forseats IN the national
Congress we're loyal and admissible. Wheth-
er the individuals claiming seats could stand
the test Of qualification rested wholly with
Congress, and The President never in
thought or net has attempted TO interfere
with this clear and unquestioned prerogative
Of Congress. ..... .......
He has only sought to make the Union oft
States fact patent to the world, to accom-
plish the great work Of national restoration,
and end the strange anomaly Of republican
Government, with one third Of its States and
eight millions Of its people without repre-
sentation, and living under Constitution
whose blessings they shared only as con-
quered subjects. We have steadily advo-
Gated this policy, and wewitness with salts
faction that it is not only gaining ground
among the people, but that Congress at last
seems to be cognizant Of the strength and
justice Of THE Presidents position. Every
movement lately has been toward that posi-
ton. Compulsory suffrage has been given
up by almost universal consent. The unwise
Acknowledgement clause, reported in the
House from the committee of fifteen, has
found its death and burial. The plan to keep
the South unrepresented in Congress and in
the Electoral College for purely partisan and
electioneering ends meets with no favor from
the intelligent masses of our countrymen,
and all that remains to make the policy OF
Congress identical with that Of The PREsI-
DENT, is to admit the loyal applicants from
the lately rebellious States, instead Of wait.
ing until certain important, but by no means
vital, amendments shall be ratified by the
proper State vote. We hear rumors from
good authority that this will be done
There is better feeling existing; more com
tesy manifested; less abuse INDUCED il
against the Administration; less talk of re
.jecting Executive appointments; more desire
for harmony expressed; healthier tone giver
out in party journals; and the signs Of con
Citation are more numerous and brighter
than they have been since the opening Of tn
Thirty-ninth Congress. The most favorabl
sign is that the intensely radical are frothinI
with rage