The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-14
The Philadelphia Convention.

From the World.
1t is less important to the success of the Con-
vention to keep out irregular delegates than it
is to exclude irrelevant questions If there
were danger that radicals and dIsunionlsts
would seek seats in the Convention, to SOW dis.
sensons or control its action, Jealous vigilance
might be needlul IN scrutinizing the claims of
delegates. But If the radicals and disuniouists
attempt to create disturbance, they will try q
different method. For the last ten DAYS it has
been whispered that they intend to stir up a
riot, and make the city scene of turbulence
and bloodshed. We hope this is not true; but
the fact that some Republicans feel the necessity
OF warnings and precautions, gives color of
probability TO the report. The Irsb"nGe,
one day last week, demonstrated with It's
friends against the folly of disorderly proceed
ings and foreshadowed the manner in which 1t
was proposed to begin the riot, by advising
them, II they should have a meeting IN Phlla-
delphia or convention at the same time, to hold
it AT such distance from the johnson Conveu-
tion as to avoid the danger OF tumult ana con-
Hict. 1t is now reported that the hepuolcan
Governor of Pennsylvania, ut the request oil the
Republican Mayor of Philadelphia, mas Issued
seCI ct orders for several regiments of militia to
be ready to act at a moments warning during
the session OF the Convention. That the radicals
are ireDZied enough to attempt to break 1t up
by violence we do not doubt; but still we have
no serious apprehensions of disturbance. The
more wary and sagacious Republicans see that
rot would damage their party, and the fear
OF Governor Curtln's bayOnets will probably awe
the more reckless.
At any rate 1t is certain that the radicals will
not attempt any mischief inside the Convention.
We suppose, therefore, that there will be no
applicants Tor seats VINO do not wish well TO its
objects, however reprehensible the conduct of
one or two individuals among them may have
been heretofore. They cannot very well be
excluded without discussion and perhaps un.
pleasant wrangling, and the objections urged
against them would apply with equal or greater
force to a considerable portion OF the Southern
delegates, who, having renounced their errors,
should not have them rudely flung back
into their faces. The easiest way to dispose
of q few Objectionable delegates Is to admit
them, and then, as often as they make
an indiscreet motion or proposal, quietly
vote them down. 1t Eis feared that
the radicals will make a great handle OF
the admission of one or two notorious men.
They will harp continually on the admission of
those whom they call Rebels, in any event; and
perhaps the best way to extract the iangs of
their Caumnies is TO allow certain marplots to
make mischievous proposals, and exhibit them
to the country as having no supporters or con-
fe0erates in the Convention. When they are
voted down, forty or fifty to one, the radicals
will be welcome to make all the party capital
they can out of the admission OF these men to
seats.
But whatever the wisdom of the Convention
may Judge most suitable with regard to the per
SOIb w, buelT dululSSlOu OT TcIeCUOn is
OF minor consequence in comparison with the
exclusion of questions on which sincere Union
men differ. 1t is not eXpedient to take the sense
OF the Convention on questions OF that descrip-
tiou. Every man who goes to Philadelphia as
a delegate is entirely clear on one point-the
right OF the Southern States to immediate repre-
sentation in Congress. This is the issue on
which the country asks the verdict of the Ame
riCan people. Until this Is decided, 1t is as vain
to agitaUe other questions, as it would be to
proceed with trial in a court of justice before
empanelling and swearing in Jury. The
Constitution ordains that public measures
shall be determined by Congress consisting
of Senators and Representatives from every
State; and the country is not prepared for other
issues until we have constitutional Congress
In rapidly growing country, at all times, and
in country emerging from a great civil war,
especially at this time, there is need of valid
national legislature to which men can submiI
their conflicting views OF policy for decision;
just as there IS need OF courts to determine
private controversies. Is is not necessary that
1itigants should agree on the merits of then
respective causes, before they unite for the
establishment of tribunals. Toe more they are
az variance, the greater the need OF competent
courts TO which they can submit differences
In the same manner, political parties in this
country need competent Congress In which
differing interests and sections can adjust their
disputes There can be no doubt that majority
of the Northern people think all the States
entitled to representation; and ii all who hole
this opinion can he brought to act together fol
this once, the Union will be promptly restored
But if the Convention will not allow citizens to
unite on this issue till they brought to agree
on others, the radicals will be likely to trium oh
Nothing would perhaps do so much to pro
duce instantaneous and enthusiastic harmon,
in the Convention, as the appearance of Presi
dent johnson on its platform. If, when tn
multitudinous acclamatlons at length gave wa,
to a desire to listen he would address the Con
vention, he might produce q more electric effec
than has attended popular eloquence since tn
harr Of tha antu Tha io,k 81,
centre, soul, and rallying point of this grea
movement, and no man is SO we'll qualified q
he to give it fitting exposition and sal
direction.