The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-12-18
CONGRESS-
WAsH1NGNoN, Dee. s, 1866

and adjourned over till Monday; but the
House in that brief space has planned work
enough for winter. Committees Of, IN
yestigatiou haze been ordered;the President
snd the departments have been called 5h
for variety of useful information The
New Orleans massacre is to be cleared up
the repeated murders of Union men at the
South are to be inquired into, and the Pres
ident's wholesale removals from office IN;
vestigated.
The House has commenced the session III
proper spirit, and its work promises td
be conducted in the right manner ! have
seen nothing in the proceeding OF tho
House, whether in its daily sessions or the
three caucuses it has held, which changes
the opinion formed before Congress met
that no serious attempt to impeach the Pres
ident will be made. No doubt some very
excellent members favor it but three fourths
ifnot iye-sixths, are totally opposed to any
thing of the kind, unless Mr. Johnson at
tempts to do something worse in the future
than he has done iu the past 1t is barely
possible, however, that the Investigations
ordered may develop his connection with
the murder of Union men at the South.
1t is possible (but improbable) that he has,
been crimil ally negligent in the arrest o
Surrat; but, inasmuch, as the alleged assass;
in is in custody Of U. 5. authorities, al inn
peachment Oh this ground will hardly bd
thought of by anybody.
As [ understand the matter, the investi.
gatious ordered by the House have no r;tr'
tiuar reference to an impeachment. The
House and the country a0dM tie facts.
Besides, an investigation Of any kind usu
ally has most wholesome effect upon
evil -dCers. The South understands now
that committee Of investigation is ready
at any moment to take up the case Of ing
poorest negro or that Of the proudest ret.,j,
The world is TO know how white rebels treat
loyal freedmen. Nothing kencefotth is to
be hid The field ofnyeStigation must be
wide when man of the world, ike Sheri-
dan, says in his report that in Texas Tho
trial of white man for the marder. OF Il
freedman "is farce" Sheridan is no
"Abolitionist," no Radical" even doubf
if be is "Republican;" yet he reports thi:
atrocious state of things to Gen, Grant:
The object of these Investigations, them
is to elicit facts, and with them educats tho
public mind. This is right. A few of
our friends seem to desire to punish the
President for his. bad conduct. No doubT
he deserves punishment; bua there is no.
bier work for radicals to engage in thar.
that: 1t has seemed to me at times as IL
certain Radicals were more indignant over
the wrongs of removed office-hoders tha
of the freedmen-that they think moe 6,
filing lucrative Offices with Republicans
than they do Of giving the black man his
political rights. Probably | am mistaken
but, if l am not, frankly admit that there
is good ground for intense Indignation at
the treachery of the President in his dis
placement of Republicans from office.
The Senate takes up the suffrage ques
ton (for the District of CoIumbia) on MoHs
day. Senator Morrill,, Of Maine, opens the
debate with an argument for impartial suf
flage. It is tolerably certain that Congress
will at its present session give to the color
ed men of the District the same political
rights as those enjoyed by white men If
any limitations are made, they will apply
to all alike.
Nothing has yet been done upon the sub
ject of reconstruction; but the House has
revived the committee; and this is signiti
cant for the present majority of the Re;
publican members seem inclined to starrF
upon the Constitutional Amendment; ltSJ
in times like these parties drift, for takfy
cannot anchor. Let the South ponder this
flct.-D.W.B. IN tie ~. T. MdepeDdfat