The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-12

for the more efficient government of the insur-
reotiOnary States,D Il should be styled "a bill TO
iSTtsSS More than this u does mo- not attempt attempt.
Il neither removes the existing Governments,
nor points TO the organization OF other Govern
ments to succeed them. AT the end Of years
operation the eresuit-governmentall considered
would be unchanged. The lives OF Union
men might indeed be more seeurei but personal
liberty would be imperilled, the Rebel orgaDi-
cations would remain nomnally in force, and
the settlement of the reconstruction question
would be more remote and more hazardous
than ever.
The proper plan would seem to be TO deter
mine finally the policy of Congress in regard to
reconstruction-to mature q scheme practicable
and comprehensive-and to provide by early
legislation whatever machinery may be Iequi-
site for its application. The presence Of large
military force will be a necessary concomitant
of any plan that may be adopted. The fair
presumption is that any process of reconstruc.
ton involving the exercise Of Federal authority
as against the present State Governments will
entail the employment of the army. The dicta.
ton of terms to the South implies provision for
their enforcement; and 1t may be that quite as
many soldiers may be wanted for the purpose
as for the administration of Mr.. Stevens bill.
Between the two cases. however, there would
be vital difference. For while on MIR. Stevens
plan we should see unlimited military power,
accomplishing nothing in the way of recon-
structIon, under the other plan the military
would be auxiliary and subordinate to civil rule,
helping, in fact SO tar as force may be wanted,
force its measures, but in no respect exercising
an Independent or superior authority.
That this course CommeDds itself to the
calm, intelligent judgment of the Republican
party, IS evident from the tone of the Republi-
can press in criticizing the provisions of Mr..
Stevens biL Differing widely upon many
points, they are singuarly unanimous IN their
opposition to the military scheme, and in their
demand for practical measures. The same
view has been presented by the Republican
members who have spoken against the bill
during Fridays and Saturdays debate. From
General Banks, who proposes to set aside the
present Southern Governments, and to re-
organize others by commission, to Mr.. Ray
mond, who believes in the feasibility of an
arrangement based upon the Constitutional
amendment, all insist that something definite
and decisive shall be done before the close of
the session. General Ba nks has already sub
mitted his scheme, and MIR. Raymond promises
a resolution looking to the reference of the
whole subject to a special committee, with in
structions to report at once. Other efforts,
pointing to the same end, may be expected.
They may eventuate in squabblng and smoke {;
but the confessions that have been made, and
the propositions that have been foreshadowed,
indicate the prevalence of the desire for some
substantial measure without further loss OF
time. 1t will be scandal to the craftsmanship
of the party which has strength enough to
carry its every measure if the Thirty.ninth
Congress pass into history leaving unadjusted
the mOmentous question of reconstruction,