Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-04-17
From the Richmond Whig.
Shall We Engage in q Contest with
CnurreSS2


In the matter OF reconstruction VIC must
be careful not to be inducedto take any steps
backward BY reason of the Democratic sue.
cess in Connecticut, and of. the movement
which is on foot to test the constitutionality
of the Military Bill by an appeal to the Su-
premc Court. The very enthusiastic friends
OF passiuity may feel encouraged aud strength
eued, and may pluck:dp spirit enough to gath
er some new argumentiro from these two Incl
dents wherewith to wheedle the Southern
people. They viii perhaps fail 10 see that
such q course will be an abandonment Of
their dogma Of pesSiyity ana a renewal Of
active warfare against the dominant party.
We admonish our people to be on their guard,
and not allow themselves to be lured and
drawn into new imprudences.
One little Democratic victory in little
State no more makes Democratic ascendency
than one swallow; makes GUNNER. There
is reason to believe, inconsiderable as this vic
tory is, that it will be barren one. The
Tribune already intimates that zone at least"
of the defeated Republican candidates means
TO contest the election of his adversary. all
who know anything know what this means.
1t means that the defeated candidates will
appeal to the all powerful Congress, which
Can always make pre!e1t Tor exercising
jurisdiction over every subject, to review the
Connecticut elections. Who that has OBJ
served the action of Congress on the subject
of the contested elections for the last Two
wears can doubt the result, when the un-
limited jurisdiction of that body once at
taches?
: AS to the appeal to tic Supreme Court, we
have no faith in it. We regard it as hopeless.
1t is stated that one of,the protoundest
constitutional lawyers in the country, Reverdy
johnson. has expressed the opinion that the
Court has 10 original jurisdiction in tho case.
Ii this opinion be correct, the application for
al injunction will berejected by TIE Supreme
Court, and proceedings will havesto be instilut.
ec! in q District Court Much time ~iil thus
e'ar,se before the jurisdiction of the Supreme
Court will attach, and when it does, the great
probability is, that enough of the superaunu-
ted and invalid Judges will be conveniently
sick and absent to secure q decision iu favor
OF the validity of the military law. Pending
the case, Congress will, doubtless, take sum-
mary measures to punish the States and the
people prominent in making such an issue
with then. The question for US to decide,
after having seen both the President and the
Su: rene Court cover under Congressional
domination, is-shall we seek controversy
with that victorious body, relying upon the
President and the Court? Are we in sit
uaton to incur new hazards and to inhaine
old and excite new animosities :? This is
grave question, and canrot be too seriously
pondered Were we sure that the President
is in favor of this move, twou!d be fooihardy
in us to rick so much in the attempt to carry
it through. The latest intelligence from
Washington is, however, that he has no lot
nor part in it. IF other States choose to en-
gage in this hopeless contest with Congress
and make up an issue for the Supreme Court.
we fervently hope that Virginia will have
nothing to do with it, but will continue to
pursue the even tenor of her way. Whatcv-
er the form, On issue or a controversy with
Congress is the very last thing thing we should
engage in at present. There is much force
in the view presented IN the following extract
from recent letter Of Governor Patton, of
Alabama. BE says:
Il am clearly of the opinion that an ap.
peal to the courts would accomplish no good.
Ii o test case were brought before the judi.
ciary it would open up series of the most
complicated questions which, perhaps, ever
engaged the attention OF any tribunal. Ques
tions of such vast magnitude could not speed.
ily be disposed Of They would necessarily
require much time; and, before conclusion
could be reached, the Southern States, in all
probability, would be fully reorganized un-
der the Congressional plan.. Indeed, the Sup
elemental Bill provides specifically for areor-
gauization; and the only practical question
Is: Who will participate in the work? Ii
the many do not cooperate in the movement,
and give it proper shape, the few will carry
it to complete aud there is no telling what
discrimination. may be made against the non
sctiouiSts."
The New York Times thus closes au article
on the subject:
Nor can we ignore the tendency of legal
action against the law to excite false antici-
pations of relief, and thus 10 check the dis
position to fulfill the law which appears now
to predominate. Of course, if the Southern
people comply with the law, peaceably and
even heartily, it will be because they have
arrived at the conviction that better terms
are not attainabe. l. is not that they love
the Reconstruction Law, but thst they prefer
recors struction with the law 10 more stringent
rule without reconstruction. They may re
tempted, therefore, by a hope OF Judicial lu-
tervention, to abate their present commenda-
BILE efforts, aud to place their trust in an
empty expectation of help: These circum-
stances, if they occur will indeed be deplor-
able. They will intensity the bitterness of
a work already much too bitter, aud will en-
tail naugbt but suffering and sorrow on the
people Of the South. They have at this mo-
nept no worse enemy than the man who adj
vises them to fight Congress through the Sn-
preme Court.