Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-03-15
Reconstruction In Congress.

Reconstruction In Congress.
The reconstruction business is more
mixed than ever, If possible. The Sen
ate has passed by vote of 30 to is, the
Joint resolution, which had previously
passed the House, declaring that no
members shall be admitted from the
southern states till Congress has declare
such states entitled to representation;
the same branch has virtually refused to
adopt the Blaine amendment, Mr., Sum
ner making another great speech in OPP
position on Wednesday and Senator
Wilson has introduced resolution
which he wants regarded as the ultima
tum for the admission of the sOutherR
members, and which proposes. among
other things, that the southern states
give the freedmen equal civil rights
with the whites, the suffrage to such as
have fought for the Union, can read, and
pay taxes, and stipulates that no pay
ment shall ever be asked Of the United
States on account of the emancipation
of slaves, or ON account Of any debt in-
Cured in the rebellion. In the House,
a resolution has been introduced from
- o. che adj
I the reconstruction committee lUI ..--
mission of the Tennessee members, but
imposing conditions which have the ap-
probation OF only out Of the Is mem
bers of the committee, which do not
meet the views OF majority Of the
members Of Congress, and which are
sure to be vetoed by the president; the
army appropriation bill has been passed,
with tba tNrOytS,, hn+ ~
appropriated for West Point shall be
paid TO any cadet from any OF the rebel
lious states, appointed since January /,
1856. unless such state shall have been
returned TO It's original relations to the
Union by act Of Congress; and 8 COM
munlCatiOh was refused from the GOV
ernOr OF North Carolina, on the ground
that Congress does not recognize the
government Of that state. There is pro-
gress in all this, no doubt and we are q
week nearer the settlement of the knOtty
question tnan we were; but in what di-
rectlon the progress was made, or what
is to be the final result would puzzle
the Wisest to tell. The fact is, Congress
has no policy, no purpose; its course
thus far is simply negative, or when it
attempts to lay down something posi-
tive, 1t Is 80 impracticable, as to amount
to nothing. The Blaine amendment.
though not just what could be desired
was the best that was likely to find IA.
Vor with Congress or people, and it Is
defeated by those who should have been
It's friends, and now Ii is extremely
doubtful ii any amendment touching
the unjust representation in the south
ern states can be passed. The prompt
admission of the Tennessee members, on
the simple condition that they could
take the test oath, would have been a
deserved compliment to the loyalty of
the state, and speCial qualification to
the president; but no. the state must
perform further conditions, and enter
into new compacts. There must be
more and irritating delay. The House
by its votes virtually declares that the
rebelliOus states have no civil govern
ments, but delays to provide them aRy:
and Senator Wilson, instead OF showing
his craftsmanship by suggesting ba-
sis of harmony in Congress, and between
Congress and the president, proposes an
ultimatum that can only make present
divisions wider and has no possible
chance OF being adopted. There is real
advance in this, that the president has
at last forwarded to Congress the docu-
mentS relating to the provisional gov
ernments, SO often asked for; and that
the reconstruction committee has re-
ported at length the testimony it has
taken in regard to the condition of af- |
fairs at the South. This testimony does
not speak highly OF the loyal spirit at |
the South, or of the intentions of it's |
people. AL witnesses agree that the |
ex-rebels are more defiant now than at |
the close Of the war, and most agree |
that 1t is in consequence OF the adverse |
position OF Congress. Gen. Thomas |
spoke decidedly in favor of the admis- |
sion OF the Tennessee members of Con-
gress, and was sure that it would have
the effect to increase the loyalty of the |
people OF the state. And If true of Ten
nessee, 1t is equally true Of the other
states All evidence goes to prove that
there is more to be feared from the de-
lay OF Congress than from too much
haste. The reconstruction committee
have accomplished nothing, and does
not seem likely to accomplish anything.
By the report of the evidence taken,
Congress is now just as competent to
act Is the committee, and let it take the
reconstruction question into It's own
hands. The longer the matter Is put OF
nova the harder it viii be to arrive at 1
any practical or Satisfactory conclusion,
the more difficult 1t win be to heal the
breach between Congress and the exesu,
tiye.-Ssyiaafsla Rspa5liesss.