The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-02


again Without much difficulty.
The Second Session Of the Forsicth Con-
Eress-The Prcsident's AIessaxe-Thc Im-
peachment Question.
The second session of the Fortieth Congress
commences to-day. The federal constitution
provides that ''the Congress shall assemble at
least once in every year." and that ''such
meeting shall be on the first Monday in De-
cember, unless they shall by law appoint a
different day." At the last session of the
Thirty-ninth Congress they did appoint by law
different day for the first session of this Con-
gress, viz, the 4th of March last, without
touching the regular December session. The
sessions of July last and November, not being
appointed by law, were but parts Of said 4th
Of March session, which ends with the COM
to-day.
Having, in point of fact. however, had three
sessions of Congress since the last regular
annual Message of the President to both
houses, and having passed through some very
momentous experimental lessons in Southern
months which have interviewed, we shall
probably have in the Presidents annual
Message-(which, We are informed, will
be withheld until tomorrow. in order that
printed copies may be furnished to the press
at all accessible points)--a State paper Of
unusual public Importance. 1t is understood
that on Southern reconstruction he will sub
stantially adhere to his own policy, and espe-
cially in reference to universal or indiscrimi-
nate negro suffrage; that on the national
finances he will endorse the general pro-
gramme of Secretary McCulloch, and that he
will have something of satisfactory character
to say touching those unsettled Alabama claims,
and likewise in the matter Of Mr. Stewards
extensive speculations in real estate in the
regions of perpetual snow and in the zone Of
perpetual flowers.
On the subject Of the suspension of Secre-
tary Stanton and the removal Of Generals
Sheridan and Sickles Mr.. Johnson may perhaps
vouchsafe some explanations Of the why and
wherefore in this Message, or he may reserve
his reasons for an answer to some resolution
of special inquiry.
The first regular business broached in the
two houses this morning Tin the usual course
Of proceedings at the second session of every
Congress), will be the appointment of joint
committee to wait upon the President and in
form him that both houses are in session and
duly organized, and ready to receive any COM
munication he may have to make. This, we
expect, will bring in some, il not all, the
annual reports from the executive depart
ments The Secretary of the Treasury does
not report through the President, but directly
in making up his bill OF profits and losses,
receipts, expenses, estimates and recommends
tons.
We suspect there will be republican
caucus with view to party under
standing touching the course to be pursued
upon the great questions Of the day, and espe.
cially upon the impeachment question. This
subject will come up in the House as the regu-
lar order of the day on Wednesday, and as it
has become pretty well ascertained that the
majority report Of the Committee on Impeach-
ment will signally fail when put to the test, it
becomes advisable for. the leading radicals to
beat retreat as gracefully Us possible. Ac-
cordingly, we anticipate party agreement
involving the abandonment of the prosecution
against Andrew Johnson, including the bill Of
Mr.. Kelsey providing for the Presidents sus-
pension with his indictment before the Senate,
which is clearly in violation Of the intent and
reservations Of the constitution.
The tone of the Message, it ia given out, win
be temperate and dignided and, IL so, its effect
upon the House will be decisive, were there
any doubts even now remaining as TO the col
lapse of the impeachment faction. Mr.. John
son has certainly fine opportunity on the
negro question and the money question to con-
troll the balance Of power in both houses, by a
skilful adaptation of his Message to the drift
of events, though we are not very sanguine
that he will improve the occasion to its full
extent.
Why the Italian Patriots Failed.