The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-29
ReoOnstructiOn Question in Congress.
From the Times.


Reconstruction Question in Congress.
From che Times
1t is evident that the reconstruction question
Is not making headway in Congress. Two
thirds of the session are over, and the Cons.i-
tutional amendment still stands the only autho.
rized and tangible form of sectional adjustment.
Denials of its sufficiency have been heard in
both Houses, but in neither has a single step
been taken in the direction of its reputation.
Mr.. Summers resolutions explanatory Of the
principles which in his judgment should
govern reconstruction, rest on the table of a
senate Committee. In the other branch an
indefinite number of bills have been introduced
all pointing to Reconstruction on a radical basis
but indicating by their differences the great
diversity OF opinion that prevails among those
who deem the amendment too moderate Tor the
occasion. Mr.. Stevens, Mr.. Ashley, and the
authors of the halEdozen other reconstruction
bills OF which we have heard agree simply i'm
regard to the insutficiency of the amendment.
The moment they attempt to embody their
views IN specific provisions, the contrarety of
opinion touching the means to be EMPLOYED
becomes apparent. The least obiectionable ot
Government in North Carolna-introduced by
Mr.. Stevens at the instance of representative
men from that State, has seemingly been dropped
At any rate, 1t has made no SIGN since the
moment of its introduction, and its sponsor
has evinced his dissatisfaction with its tempe
rate provisions by deYoting his energies to a
general and more extreme measure. That he
is not sangulne OF Its success, and that he
realizes the dllhcultY OF uniting the Republican
party on any radical plan, may be inferred from
ms remarks on Thursday last and again on
Saturday.
He feels that in the present temper and pos,.
ton OF Congress, scheme for territortalizing
the South is foriorn hope, which ne is hardly
justified in prosecuting during the brief remain
der of the session. For the consideration of
this or any similar bill, Mr. Ashley calculates
that but twenty working days are left: and as it
Is clear that only part OF these days could be
devoted to the subject without neglecting much
important work, we conclude that the adoption
OF any new plan of reconstruction prior to thn
4th OF March, is virtually impossible.
The circumstance is not cause of regret still
less OF reproach. On the contrary, it is a source
OF satisfaction, since 1t indicates the unwilling
ness of the governing party to rush into ey-
tremes, ana the unWillingness of its most radi-
cal members TO precpltate a rupture for the
sake OF testing their peculiar views. The party
Is in 10 haste to throw overheard the terms Of
restoration adopted last session; aud Mr. Stevens
and his friends are less disposed than then to
affirm tie lnfallbility Of their own opinions
The difficulties of the reconstruction question
are more fully cOmprehended; obstacles are re.
cOgnzed that were before uubeeded. and tbe
necessity is felt Of so shaping legislative action
that it shall command the support OF the whole
party. These are not signs Of change or in
trinity OF purpose. They in no degree Imply an
abatement of the determination of ConUrpSs tn
retain the settlement of the question in It's own
hands, or a REIMBURSEMENT OF its resolve to exact
efficient guarantees as conditions precedent of
restoration. They merely show that the party
which has power to set aside yetoes and tn
carry into effect any policy it mag enac,, is
conscious OF its responsibility, and the wisdom
OF making haste slowly" IN the presence OF
formidable difficulties.
For this hesitancy and delay there is ample
Al NaH h.,
amendment by the Legislatures of the govern
ING States. The autumn elections were con-
tested aid won on the merits Of the amend
ment, as the groundwork OF restoration: and
already the Legislatures of eighteen States
nave Iatined It, in every case by large maori-
ties. Pennsylvania, Nevada, and California
VIII as surely ratify it before the session close :
more than, completing three-fourths Of the
states which now compose the Government OF
the Union. plan which is thus indsputably
indoIscd by the people whom the majority in
Congress represent, cannot with proprety be
superseded by other measures. In the majority
OF the states, ratification has taken place in
tull view OF the rejection of the amendment by
The South. All that Congress has been asked
TO consider as reason Tor going further than
Ghe aEehdment, was known by the Northern
Legislatures antecedent TO ratification.
They have, however in GOOD faith given effect
70 the declared Will ot their constituents, and it
is not probable that the Congressional majority
VIII recede from the position, or advance beyond
general question than mas vet been had The
provisions OF the amendment commend them
serves 10 the Judgment OF the people-sO much
Is certain. They may not cover the entire
ground. An absolute guarantee against future
attempts at secession, as Mr.. Raymond has else
where suggested, may be desirable in addition.
we think, too, that the country would accept
the enforcement Of cOlored suffrage as more
than an equivalent for large modification in
lhe oisqualifying clause in the amendment, and
as infinitely preferable TO any scheme of Rebel
ulslranchlsement, as now In practice in Missouri
and tennessee. But to discard the amendment
altogether, and 10 begin the reconstruction
question dc ROUO, according to the territori-
anzlng process OF Mr.. Ashley or Mr.. Stevens,
would not pc lusuhaols IN the present stage OF
the discussion.
1t is hardly possible to DO more this session
than to consider the general aspects of the
queston, with the view of facilitating the labors
or the next Congress. The month that remains
might not suffice for the passage of any bill
the details as well as the principles of which
must necessarily ole experimental but it would
ADMIT OF some definite understanding concern
ing the general principle of the reconstruction
policy. If Congress intends to sci aside the
amendment because the South refuses compIi-
ance, 1t should 20 declare. 1t it is prepared, in
certain contingencies, to discard the Southern
state oIganlzatA Ions, and to reconstruct on the
territorial principle, it should proclaim its in.
tention. Or III 1t hold that the amendment
becomes part of the Constitution when rati-
ned by threeJ Jfourths Of the States now repre-
sented, IL shduid put that Interpretation upon
record. The essential point to be gained Ia the
adoption OF some distinctly defined line OF
action, thatI the principles and purposes of the
present CoplgTess may be intelligibfe To It's sue.
oessor. Thle question OF reconstruction will NOT
thereby be settled. But the country will be