The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-07-13
THE COM
GR ESS.

GRESS.
S.ace the formation Of our Government,
there never has been a National Legislature
embracing more talent, elevated patriotism
and political astutcncss, and oae SO pro-
foundly impressed with \ right conviction OF
is duties and responsibilities as the present
Congress. The element which rallied to the
succor Of the country in its darkest horr OF
peril, and voted men and money to sustain 1t
when traitors North aud South were att"npt-
ing its overthrow Is largely in the ascendant.
Al the commencement Of the scsSl"n = good
many members Of a naturally conservative
Temperament, but nevertheless Of pure and
uuselfsh motives cssayed to so shape leg's-
l,tion that the Southern States might be re-
stored to their proper position within the
male of tho Union on such mild ana concil.t-
tory conditions as would diyest them ofihcir
r.belIious and hostile feelings and convince
chem that their true friends were the friends
ofthe Government. The Hon. Henry J. Ray
nond of New York. was one and the leader Of
this class. Bat when II became prlpabie
tina, the South retained her old determine
ton to rule and not be ruled, as ahundantly
eyinced in the deliyerinces Of her leading
men, and in the eminations from her cor
rups and lIccntious press, they abandon
ed their conservative policy and return
cd to the trne theory Of reconstruction as
set forth in the famous st. Cloud speech OF
4" old Moses" that 81 traitors should be pun"
ished and treason made odious, that traitors
should be impoverished and their socia! pow
sr destroyed.
We do not pretend to deny the osien'ihle
fact. that there are some bad men in Congress,
men too representing northern constituencies
whose political records are black with stains
of ~periurv and treason-men who are a dis
grace to Congress and II disgrace even 10
,hemselves-men who occupied seats IL Con-
rress during the war and when obligated by
a solemn oath 10 support the Constitution OF
the United States refused to grant it nccessn-
~ appropriations TO maintain its integrity,
when the remorscless foe was at The very
gates Of its capital. Thank God, these men
arc in a hopeless minority, Powerl'ss for evil.
There are now two schemes Of reconstruc-
ton before Congress, ani the distinguished
individual " 1t the other and Of the avenue, ~
Of whom the leader OF The children Of Israel
WAS the type snd forerunnsr, is the father Of
both. however great may be the eontrnriety
of their features and conditions. The first
scheme he proposed when martial patriotism
was firing tie Northern heart, end he was
about to grasp the goal Of his political am
hition by making himself outn martyr 10 The
Union cause. The latter when b" deserted
and betrayed the unconditional Union party,
which elevated him to the next highest
mark Of their esteem add confidence, and re-
turned TO that pTolting incarnation Of po-
rtical corruption and dishonesty the rebel
democratic party, which attempted under bis
leadership and Of such men as Buchanan,
Breckenridge, JET. Davis L Co. to Snnihilate
the government. Congress accepts the FIRST
scheme, and every unconditional Union man
in the whole country from Maine to Florida
says Amen whilst every red banded rebel
and tory sympathizer, whether be lie 8 pull
pit deseerntor, a p,% PROSECUTOR Of rebel eiaini
sgaiqit the Government a jack leg ofthe law,
9 pill bag fHPo'isr, a vender or drinker Of
mean whisky, or an inmate of peniten,iary,
advocate and endorse the latter.
Our only hope Is In Congress, snd our dss-
tiny Is safe under its control and direction.
Thoroughly imbued with Stsyens-Sumnsr
rsdiealism II viii not accept any reconstruct
tion scheme from Andy Johnson " or any other
mar that will compromise the honor oftbe
country and bring reproaeb and shame upon
the soldier who bears an hororabis discharge
from the army Of the United States