The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-07-28
steering for the Rocks.
From the Nation.

had to encounter, and it is but right that
the public should know exactly the nature of
the danger into which, in the opinion of a
great many men who are neither hasty nor
simple, it is rapidly drifting.
There is now very little question that the
President has fully resolved to commit HIM
self to the cause of the South, and turn the
Government over, so far as it is 10 his power
to do SO. He will make a vigorous effort to
do this by the forms7of law, and by liberal
use of corrupting official influences; but he
will not stop with these. He has entered
upon path which may and, unless there be
more moderation in him than has yet been
revealed, probably will lead him to an attempt
to carry out his theories by force Of arms, an
less so thoroughly defeated an the elections This
tal as to destroy all his hopes Of dioiding the
North.
All our readers are familiar with the threats
which have been made by the Presidents new
allies, Of his recognizing the Southern mem
bers, aud those who might join them, as the
genuine Congress. This is not likely to be
done at present, simply because quorum
could not be got together in that way. When
the Southern seats are filled there will be 70
Senators and 242 Representatives. But there
are not more than 81 persons now claiming
to be Senators, nor more than SO claiming to
be Representatives, who possibly could beindu-
ced to take part in any such disorganzlng and
revolutionary proceedings. The scheme, there
fore, cannot at present be carried out with
the slightest preteuce of legality.
But the next Congress will present an en-
trely different question. There is very little
doubt that the Republican party will lose Que
representative in Connecticut, three in New
York, one in Pennsylvania, three in Ohio,
three in Indiana, two i'll Illinois, one in Mich
igan, one IN Wisconsin, two in Missouri, and
one in Kentucky; while the four Johnson
Union members from Maryland, Kentucky
and Missouri will be succeeded by other
johnson men, if lot reelected. Four of the
members elect from Tennessee to the present
Congress are too loyal to support Mr.. John
son. Not more than two of these will be re-
elected. No members have been yet elected
III Texas. -Four sscessonists will appear
from that reconstructed State next winter.
Thus, at the opening of the Fortieth Con-
gress, one hundred and seventeen persons.
claiming seats in the House will csrtainly be
prepared to support Mr.. Johnson's policy.
II he can only carry five more, he will have
clear majority OF those whom he will con-
slider lawfully elected to the lower branch Of
Congress. Now, it is very probable that, in
addition to those losses which we have before
mentioned, the Republicans will lose one
member in Connecticut, (Mr Hubbard) two
in New York, (Messrs. Humphrey and ketch-
ann two in Pennsylvania, (Messrs Thayer
and Miler) two in Ohio (Messrs Hubbell
and Ashley, Or MIR. Clark one in Indiana,
(Mr. Hi) one in Illinois. (Mr Harding) and
one in Wisconsin, (Mr. Sawyer)-ten in all
while it is not certain but that five or six
other seats may bo lost. Taking, however,
these estimates as a basis of calculation, it
will be seen that the probable loss of twenty
eight members, though it would leave Re-
publican majority Of about forty in the
House OF Representatives as at present con-
stltuted, toms hundred and thirteen Republ-
cans to seventy-one Johnsonians) would yet
give the johnson party one hundred and
twenty-sevch members out of two hun lred
and forty-two, in case tho Southern delega-
lions We're admitted. aa
II the present programme is carried out,
Tue Southern representatives will insist upon
their right to vote for Speaker at the COM
mencement Of the next Congress. The Clerk
Will not call their names; and the plan medi-
lated Is for the 70 or rs johnson members
who are clearly entitled to seats to unite with
the 6S excluded Southerners, elect IA tempo
fary chairman in the place of the Clerk,
choose Speaker, and apply to the President
iof recognition. This recognition is, Of course,
10 be given, and the unrccognized House to
be iorcibly elected.
we need not say that such conduct would
iead to the instant impeachment OF the Of
Meals concerned in it, if the majority of the
lawful representatives were allowed to meet
anywhere, aad that the President would, as a
matter OF course, refuse to acknowledge the
validity OF the proceedings This would equal
y az matter of course, bring about con-
met OF authority, the decision of which by the
senate would be unavailing to prevent an
appeal to force. IL convicted by two-thrds
ol Inc court Of impeachment, as now consti-
r.1!ed, the President would still deny the va
nulty OF the sentence, the twenty-five South
erh senators being excluded, and thus the is
sue would be left to the decision of arms
II the new coalition carries SO of the 1874
unulsputed seats in Congress, Mr.. Johnson s
u'umph may be as peaceful as it will be COM
pete; or # it fails to prevent the election of
Republicans, he may abandon the hope
Vi success IN struggle wherein he can have
no pretehce OF legality upon his side; but we
mink the former alternative highly jmnroba-
BILE, and the latter almost impossible. Tha
oniy remaining prospect, unless the courage
OF one party Oh the other fails at the last mo-
ment, is cipa aoar
The disadvantages of the loyal North in
SUCH an event must not be denied or underra-
ted. The South would have, in such struggle,
exactly the position which, if it had taken it
III 1860, would have insured its triumph. 1t
YOU'D undertake to crush divided North in
uis name of the Federal Government. 1t
@ou "a hight its battles in the name of the Uni
p rsu otates, under the command of nominal
an asslaent OF the United States, and with the
Sanc.i n OF self-styled Federal Congress, 1t
%ou,d nave an equal chance for recognition
~, aii foreign Powers. 1t would have power