The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-02-03

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There was but little activity IN commercial circles yes
seray the dculty Of selling foreign exchange tending
TO restrict transactions in cotton &c. greatly Foreign
goods wers generally quiet. but hrm Petroleum was
dull and lower for refined Cotton was dull, but un-
changed Groceries werssteady. On 'Change -four was
IN good demand and firm. wheat was steady and more
active Corn was heavy. Pork was steady. Lard was
quiet and unchanged. whiskey was nomipalh shade
lower.
President Johnson's Position In Con.
gress-The Cloven Foot Developed.
In olden times, when Satan WA endeavoring
to increase his power, he took the Son Of Man
CUP into an exceeding high mountain and
showed him all the kingdoms Of the world,
and said unto him, tAll these things will give
thee If thou wilt fall down and worship me- {"
But the Son Of Man, looking over his shoulder
and seeing the cloven foot sticking out beneath
the Roman mantle, at once realized the charac-
ter Of the person before him, and that he was
promising that which was not his to give.
Satan, finding that he could not tempt him,
went around bQasting of the secrets which ex-
listed between himself and the Son Of Man, at the
same time doing all that he could to defeat the
mission of the latter in this world. Thus it is
with Thaddeus Stevens, the radical chief in the
present Congress. He has pointed out to
President Johnson the vast plains and popu-
lous cities which he may rule if he will but fall
down and worship the radical idol. But the
cloven foot, is discovered beneath the Con-
gresional mantle, while the developments
in Congress reveal the fact that Stevens
is promising those things which are not
his to give. The radical chief. finding himself
detected, at once goes to work to cover up his
tracks, and boasts of the mighty secrets which
exist between himself and the President What
those secrets are he does not propose to reveal,
for that would defeat his purpose and destroy
his hold upon his party in Congress.
During the early part of the session the great
effort of Stevens and his associates was to prove
that the republicans in Congress were unit in
their policy, and that the only hope for the
President was to unite with them. His success
in this respect was SO great that it increased
his boldness; he soon overstepped the mark
and revealed to the public his weakness.
Elated by his supposed power he pressed the
vote on negro suffrage in the District Of Colum-
bia, which disclosed the fact that his faction
only composed minority in Congress, and
that there was majority of that body in favor
Of the Presidents policy. 1t proved that there
was in the factions of Congress sufficient
the efforts ofStcvens and his radical associates
This was more than he bargained for, and he at
once went to work looking up . constitutional
amendment for the purpose Of covering up his
weakness. After consenting to slight modifca-
tons he succeeded in whipping nearly all the
republicans into its support. Upon the eve of
its passage he delivered philippe against the
President, in order that he might the better
claim his triumph over the latter. We presume
that he now considers his triumph complete,
and that the record Of tho woakness OF the
radical faction, exhibited on former occasion,
is now obliterated. Tho fact, however, remains
the same, Notwithstanding the apparent en-
dorsement of Stevens by the House Of Repre-
sentatlves, that there are in Congress three
factions, two Of which are opposed 10 the ex-
treme radical measures promulgated by Ste
vens, and that they compose working majority
of that body. There is nothing in this amend
ment to the constitution which is really objec-
tionable, nor does IL amount to anything. 1t Is
simply an abstraction, and, even If endorsed by
two-thirds Of the States, II will not give to Con-
gress any additional power, but will at once
become a dead letter. The only possible
benefit that the radicals can derive from II is
to hide their weakness, and to enable them
little longer to shirk the responsibility of meet
ing the real questions at issue.
The constitutional amendment which has been
ratified by sufficient number of States to make
1t legal gives to Congress full power to regu-
late the question Of suffrage and representa-
ton In the South. II has freed the colored popu-
lation from bondage, and given to Congress
full power to enforce that provision as well as
to protect the negroes. But the radicals are
afraid to meet the question directly, for fear of
making their party unpopular in the North.
They therefore seek to mystify the whole sub
ject by resorting to all manner of side lodges.
Even II we accept the hypothesis that the late
slaves on obtaining their freedom are simply
aliens in our body polite, Congress has power
TO provide mode for their naturalization, the
same as for any class Of foreigners who arrive
on our shores. The whole question can DO
reached and disposed Of In that way, and the
loyal Southern representatives Immediately
permitted TO take their seats in the National
Legislature. But the adoption Of this simple
and easy plan does not suit the radical idea Of
party; they therefore continue to wrangle over
distinctions which accomplish nothing, and
which must eventually destroy their party and
result In their losing the power which they are
so tenacious Of holding. As they are now
working the President has no other course but
to maintain his position, and boldly meet every
issue that arises, and he will come out victo-
rioua In tho end. Ua has akroo 9TH sno,.0h