, 1866-01-12
LETTER FRON GEN. SCHURZ.

HeEornfnG C3RxTee8As4-4 EFedtessd
ChanE~AAA2ssaen II southern DoEes
Haees-Sentkment Of The Peopae-Pre-
vsono Gualansses 1as4sseA OR-Tho
Presidents PolIey-Flnakeyia2-
To the New York Tribupe:
WAsltsorox. D. C.. 5an. 9, 1seG.
CongrHssnen arc rapidly returning from
their holiday trips, and the impressions pro-
duced upon their minds b1 the consset with
their constituents form the general subject Of
enquiry and conversation. Previous to the
recess 1t wss predicted that such . consact
would certainly produce grcas ehsngeln
the attitude o. parties, and more especially
to the immediate md unconditional adnls.
sion of the delegations from the rebel States,
would, after their retuIp, be found ready to
Weld up all their objections to that measure.
This prediction does not seem to have been
founded upon 4 sound knowledge either Of
the people OF thelr representatives. ,
The conversations have had with repre-
sentatiycs from different States since their r.
turn to this city lead me to the following con-
clusions: The people do not desire rupture
between Congress and the President: but
they desire still less that Congress should re.
cede from any Of the positions taken, aud
patch up the work Of reconstruction without
e1Actins from the rebel States sufficient bonds
ior future good behavior. Tho consequence
constituencies arc coming back IS fully deter
mined as ever, or even mora 50, to insist upon
guarantees previous TO readmission, and that
even those who found in their districts
frightened postmaaters and revenue collec-
tors, a1c fully lmt tressed with the unwavcr-
Ing fi1mness Of the Republican masses to
whom post-otl}ces and col1sctorships arc Of
very little Importance.
The situation Ia, therefore, essentially the
same As It was before the recess. The ques-
ton Ia whether 1t will long remain 50. The
President, In hts conversations with members,
is still profase In assurances that he IL far fro
desiring conflict between the Executive and
Congress, but be does not seem Wiling to say
what he would do to aToid 1t. If 1t II true,
aa il generally asserted and believed BY many,
| that the President intends to use his official
patronage for the PURPOSE OF forcing the I'M
mediate admission of Southern delegations,
he may produce the desired effect upon few
individuals, but he will thereby rather preclpt-
| tate than prevent an open Rupture. The en-
! ployment OF such means would only tend to
e1asperate men who are always willing to
| come 10 fair and friendly understanding, but
who will never yield to anything that looks
| ike force or corruption.
It Is still to be hoped that the two branches
| Of the National Government will fad basis
| stacle in the way which 1t will be difficult ia
| overcome. 1t Is tho Jiunkeyis7n Of those whd
! make It study to win the hvor of the Prcsl
| dcut. While ltIs 4 notorious fact that the
Republican Congressman, who went hems
| during the holidays, have come back strongly
fortified In their views Of policy, the Prtsi
dent Is assured, by those who want to please
him, that tho contact with the people ha
broken the backbone Of all opposition tt
what Is generally understood to be the ''Pzcs
| 1dent's policy" While everybody that car
I read and understand intellisible language
1 will, by merely looking over the N
! nual messages OF Northern Governors
| and the resolutions passed by Northern
/ Legislatures, at once be struck by the
unanimity with which guarantees and stipu'
lations are demanded before the rebel States
are rcadmitted, dunkeyism is busy picking
out from every such document sentence Of
two to prove 10 the President that Governors,
Legislatures aud people are all oyctfowing
with enthusiasm about "the Presidents
policy" It requires 4 mnn, perhaps, OF stron-
ger philosophy, and one who Is more accus.
TONED to adulatlon, to look through TINT
mist of fattery with which the President Is
enve1oped. It has frequently been said, that
Of all places In the United States, Washington
| Is the last to feel the pulsations Of the popu-
| lar heart, and of all places In Washington the
White House. fear this ID truer now than
it ever was before. II the President drift.
into conflict with Congress, the Kings
friends" will have to beat two-tbirds Of the
responsibility for It. observer. :.