Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-11-29
Washington Correspondence.

WASHINGTON, d. c. Nov. IS, 1866.
MrssEs. EDroEs:
The mad Parlamentis coming
Already the dust is rising in the North and in the
West. and Fornev has issued his summons, calling
for grand uprising of soldiers, sailors and negroes
70 welcome it and if need be- protect it, in its deb
erations. The wary Republican who spoke with
all the ambiguity Of a Pythian oracle at the opening
of last session. having now overcome the sharpness
of election. breathcs forth only threatening and
slaughter against the President and the people Of
the South, and comes up to the Federal Capitol
prepared for the summary immolation of whatever
victims either Generalization or contingency may
throw in his path.
The cry of impeachment, raised by Wendell
Phillips in Massachusetts,, has been echoed from
Ocean to Ocean, and although the redoubtable Ben.
Butler. who was elected by the aforesaid State for
the avowed purpose Of annihilating both the Presi-
dent and Gen. Grant, will not be with us this win
ter, Mr. Bingham is already here, with the articles,
carefully prepared and ready for submission to the
House, whenever the two-thirds vote requisite to
their passage can be secured. OF this there is just
now but remote probability. Yet the WITHSTAND
keSN VI lltG SUM a. WV ~
Htcal enfranchsement of the negro in the District
of Columbia, and the abolition Of State Govern
ments in the recently insurgent" States, as pun
ishment for their rejection of the Constitutional
Amendment, will certainly be attempted. And
there is the profoundest method in all this madness
The fury and denunciation and threatening are art
fully extemporised prepare for the real policy OF
the Radical party. Love for the negro catches
many; hatred of the South catches more, but the
real motive which binds the leadersis CogfscotOn.
Mr.. Thaddeus Stevens announced it more than
wear ago and though now carefully yelled and kept
in the background, so soon as every means has
been exhausted to in6ame the passions and excite
the cupidity and blind the Judgment of the North
ern people, it will be presented for their acceptance
Meanwhile there is much speculation to the tone
of the forth coming message from the Executive.
That it will be emineny conciliatory in temper but
firm and consistent is the general opinion. Evident
ly he appreciates the mighty contestn which heisin
voyed and is bending every energy to meetit Aside
from the fact that perhaps the very existence ofpop
ular government certainly the immediate fate of the
South are suspended upon the issue, the struggle is
invested with additional interest, a struggle be-
tween two branches of the Government, hitherto
deemed coordinate which have generally worked in
greatest harmony. Is Congress with like the Par
Lament in England omnipotent, so that it may as
sumo every function Of the Government, and brush
aside all Instructions in the shape of Executive
toes, Constitutional prohibitions and traditional
usages?
For the unfortunate South there is but one course
consistent with her past glories and present wrongs
Her strength is to sit still. She can thwart the
Constitutional Amendment by Withholding her rati-
fcation, and peradventure some Kindly Providence
win vet bring to naught the Vaccinations of the
wicked, or some city Of refuge open wide its hospi
table gates. G.. l.. V.