Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-01-02
q he frecm aa.
MONTPELIER, VT.
Congress.

terest and 20 little anxiety TO the action of Con
gress on the reconstruction question, and every
indication of what will be the ultimate division of
members on this question is eagerly watched by
democrats, conservatives and radicals. No action
has yet been had from which the ultimate settle
ment of reconstruction be predicted, but sew
eral votes have been taken from which We can IN
Ter something respecting future action.
l. Congress has decided, by large majority of
both Houses, to investigate, through joint COM
mttse, the condition Of the South, and will not
at present, and probably for some we eks, take
any action on the application of persons claiming
seats from the southern states Ga this subject
there seems to be substantial unanimity among Inc
Republicans, both of the Senate and House.
2 Congress will not repeal the law requiring
congressman to take the test OATH the House
having already, by decisive majority, adopted
resolution, that this oath ought to be required of
all officials. On this point we have also the gene
RAJ testimony OF letter writers from the capital,
which agree with the following extract from
ommunication printed in the Springfield Repub-
hcan:
la the opinion of conservat i've" member Of
the House G use the words cor sentative and
radical as they generally used here low
and not IN their old sense,) the loyalty oath will
Tor several years give the loyal states complete
control OF Congress, AMI republican member
that have heard of favors the repeal of the law
establishing that oeta.
D. 9e only vote OF either House respecting
suffrage at the South taken in the House last
Monfay. MIR. Thornton, (dem) of Illinois, oeezed
pyeauable setting forth certain principles IS living
atfhe foundation OF the government arg oonclud-
Gg with resolution declaring that a2y extension
/of the elective tranchise TO persons in the United
States, either by the &C of the President or by
Congress, would be an assumption OF power which
nothing in the CONSTITUTE r. Of the United States
would warrant, and hat, II order TO avoid every
danger Of conflict, II should be referred 10 lbs
several States lr. Washburnp. of Illinois.
moved TO lay tins resolution upon the table. sod
the motion prevailed by wore OF III to 10
twenty-five members lot voting. We do not
suppose, however, that this vote is a far intca-
ton OF the opinions Of the House o., the ques-
ton submitted in the resolution but rather ,be
result OF very general desire Of putting aside a
question upon whieA, there was no need then to
express an opina ,n. The W ashiugton writer from
"hChi VIC la &c CopcO the aOCyS saws this sub
Ject Of suffrage:
Then cores up the vital question upon which
inc Republican members viii divide Mr. Stevens
says We must have equal suffrage in Tennessee
before We ad1it you 10 representation. But
a majority OF the members from Ohio Indiana
Illinois and Rennsy lvanIa will not say ANYTHING of
the scrt. Ii the Republicans were unit on equal
suffrage, the South would receive It's ultima
tuIn ana II could go to work on the subject But
fIpp * n he facf. hera LII
OF twaGdie 10 Congress the subject Many
members will be afraid to speak their real SEMI
mentS, and the South will not, for a long time be
able to ascertain What Congress demands 4 doz-
en- propositions are already before the Senate and
the House, and nobody Can tell which will be
adopted. So far the South is CONCERNED this
Is just punishment but The Republ!een party vii!
suffer meantime, for the lick o! ear policy
We are inclined TO thDk ma; orty, both of
the Senate and House, are in ia sof of securing in
some way, the elective iI,ncniss in the South to
intelligent blacks, and sach IS have borEs arms in
defense OF the govern 9ent, but whether any
scheme will be devised which they ID unite upon
remains to be SEN.
4. What called the conservative Republi-
cans in Congress, of whom Mr. Raymond, Of New
York, may be regarded the leader in the
House, and perhaps Mr.. Doolittle 10 the Senate,
though We think the latter goes quite bey 3nd
Mr.. Raymond, and occupies much nearer the
democratic position, . hch demands the Immediate
admission of congressman from the South-fasor
moderate measures, and will probably oppose any
legislation which repudates the work of recon
stfuction thus far accomplished under executive
direction. These conservatives intend, doubtless
10 insist on the admission Of Horace MAYNARD
and such Representatives from tennessee as can
take the test oath. To quote again from this
writer it the Republican
There are two Classes Of men in Congress-
among the Republican members. One of them
desire to resort to every excuse to keep Cit the
southern claima is Unfortunately. The other
would lay down a rule which the ozth mas
gradually commit itself, refusing, however, to re-
peal the oath of loyalty for several Gears II il
IS desirable to carry through any more amend
ments to the constitution, this class would let the
south know at once what measures must be adopt
ed. 1t would like to tennessee n congress
at an early day, as soon as he Legislature will
comply with the necessities Of the times and then
oy admit the claimants from the other
states, as they come up TO the standard.
Ii Mr.. Maynard is admitted, this action would
be claim-d-and rightfully enough it seems to US
as a refusal to reconstruct reconsc,uztIo1 and
an admission that all the Southern States
should be represented al Washn gtou a. soon as
they send such representatives NJ. Maynard,
and give e'idenc of such loyalty and respect for
the rights of the freedmen as ts.s been given by
Tennessee.
5. There is al evident disposition to attempt to
further amend the constitution, and to pass a4ws
TO protect the freedmen, previous actics in re-
spect to the admission of hern represen t.tiyes
The amendment prohibiting the payment Of the
fsbel debt, and one declaring the basis of repre-
sentaton, viii, very likely, be recommended BY
congress. Several bills nave also been introduced
furnishing guarantees for the protection OF all the
evil rights of the freedmen. Action Will IN
doubtedly be taken these and kindred subjects
BY congress before deciding to admit any southern
members.
In view of the action Of Congress thus far
about all that can be certainly affirmed is ina
there Is an undoubted ma}ority-probably mor'
fun htydz IS &1th