The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-02-21

Inc froSlOenC6 VetO Ol the Ero0Qmen'0 bu-
reau bill has fallen like an exploding bomb
shell among the rank and file OF the dominant
party in Congress. Though somewhat pre-
pared for return Of the bin with his objec-
tons, they did not expect catalogue beyond
the teacn Of . compromises they seem to have
had no apprehension hat their pet measure Of
Southern reconstruction would ss cut up by
the roots The proceedings in both houses
yesterday betrsy an extraordinary degree Of
disappointment, excitement, anger and per
plexity In the republican camp. All this,
under the circumstances, was however 10 be
expected. II Is true the conservatives Of the
Senate, on the vote to pass the bill over the
veto, finally met The question In the proper
spirit and killed this pet scheme of the radi-
oals. But 1t Is to be regretted, neverthe-
less, that in the midst Of these Nominations of
war against the Executive there were 80 few
indications Of disposition In either house for
treaty Of peace as to suggest nothing but
oross-purposes and confusion worse con-
founded henoeforwsrd, to the end at least Of
this session Of Congress.
Unquestionably the issue presented in this
veto against the theory and policy Of the joint
Committee on Reconstruction Is 80 broad, 80
distinct and 90 far beyond the landmarks Of q
compromise as to submit but two alternatives
to Congress from which to choose-the aban-
donment Of the programme of the Recon-
struction Committee or the abandonment Of
President johnson. The House incline to
the latter alternative; but what can they
hope to gain by this course, The South
ern restoration policy Of President johnson
carried the republicans victorlously through all
the Northern State elections of last autumn
from Maine to California and in preparation
for the opening New England elections Of the
present year the party still depends for Its sue
cess upon its adhesion to Andrew johnson.
What, then, will most probably DO the conse-
quences of break between tho party in Con-
gress and the administration The democrat
ization and disintegration of the party through
out the country and in Congress itself, wide
spread confusion In our political affairs, and
fruitless legislation, for year or two longer at
least, upon all the great questions Of the day so
demanding settlement What else
can we expect from q declaration Of war
against the executive from the legislative de-
partment of the government under the present
state of thingsf
The administration may survive without the
cooperation of Congress but the dominant
party in Congress cannot survive rupture
with an administration Of its own choosing.
TO cast loose from the administration is like
cutting OF the right wing of an army 1t leads
to the inevitable rout and dispersion Of the main
body. The time has come when favorite theories,
pet projects and foolish notions Of party pride
must be cast away In view Of the paramount
interests of the county and the manifest line
of action necessary TO sustain tho party before
the people. 1t ia evident now that the
Southern policy Of the Congressional Commit
tee on Reconstruction means nothing but an
"irrepressible oonaiot" with the administra-
ton; that Il Is . policy Of distractions TO
Southern restoration, and nothing else. II 10
equally manifest that The Presidents policy Of
simple, feasible and positive measures for tho
speedy restoration OF the South has taken ,
Hrm hold upon the public mind Of the whole
country. Like Webster's famous mariner.
therefore, the republicans In Congress, with
the clearing away Of the fog and the first
unclouded glimpse Of the sun, should proceed
to take an observation, In order TO ascertain
how far the winds and the waves have driven
them from their true couEse.
In palmer terms, there should be ct 0noe
q general caucus Of the republicans In Congress
on tho momentous questions Of their present
situation and their future course. The veto
indicates the proper course 10 pursue. II sug-
gests tho saving necessity Of o new departure
the abandonment Of the course marked out by
the Committee on Reconstruction and the dis
charge of the committee itself, the admission Of
the members returned from the South upon
thoir individual merits, as In other cases, and
the general adoption Of the simple, safe and
popular programme Of the administration. In
this way the integrity Of the Union, Of the
Treasury and Of the republican party can be
secured against all possible contingencies
while on the opposite tack the party goes the
way to certain destruction, and with serious
results TO, the country In retarding the restora'
ton of union, peace, law and order, harmony
and prosperity all over the land.
The scheme Of enlarging this Freedmcn's
Bureau into permanent and all-pervadnp
military establishment, and Of making In Ii
behalf the Treasury Of the United States or
almshousc for the feeding and clothing Of thu
masses Of the Southern blacks and idle white
refugees, Is scheme which cannot stand
against the veto before the tax-paying Ameri
can people. The true course, therefore, Of thu
republicans In Congress Is 10 abandon It and
their Committee ofFifteen, and fan In with tn
safe, simple and acceptable Southern policy o
President Johnson.