Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-12-25

hec0nNTucfaOn. - PreSidenfidf messages. -
Grants Protest against the Remoual Of
Sheridan. = Mr. MorriA's Speech. = Hold
day adjournment.
RECONSTRUCTION.
r Mr.. EDITOR :-Supplementary Reconstruc-
! ton Bill No. 3 is now hurrying through
: Congress, and has already passed the House.
1t provides that the majority of the votes cast
shall be sufficient to ratify the Constitutions
of the several Southern States, instead of
the majority of the whole number registered,
rs was before required This rendered
necessary by the tactics adopted by the enc
mics of Reconstruction, who would take ad-
vantage of the previous law to defeat the
Constitutions in quiet way, by absenting
themselves from the polls. The second sec
ton provides for the election of members of
Congress at the same election as is held for
action on the Constitution. This is done to
save time and expense, and to cause all the
qualified voters to vote, that fair exhibit of
the sentiment of the people may be obtained.
The debate on this bill was interesting and
1 full of spirit Mr.. Brooks, as usual, be-
moaned the advance of civilization among
the negroes. He created much amusement
by saying that the Democrats would at the
next election, whiten the politics Of the
country, but added that he expected that this
was the last time he should address
white audience in the House. His harangue
brought Mr. Stevens to his feet, and elected
from him such retort as showed that lie was
ell L: I
he has SO often goaded those around him. 1t
is pleasant to watch him when he speaks, for
perfectly cool and quiet, he lays founda-
ton for himself, seemingly saying little till
he reaches a climax, and then, the words
flowing freely, he pours out such stream Of
invectve or utters such whitening sar-
casm, few men have power TO do, and
which no one, once hearing, can ever for
get. The bill was carried by Il vote of l04
TO 81. 1t is probable that this will be the
last legislation necessary before a complete
reconstruction, for the news from the South
is daily more encouraging. Texas. which we
so long suspected, bids fair to be more loyal
than anv other State and there the Union .
spirit is strongest. South Carolina has de-
clared for a convention, and therefore, all ?
the States are on the right road Although
we see it heralded abroad that the Alabami- /
ans are dissatisfied with their new consttu- /
ton and will defeat it, from other sources
we hear very different story. Letters from
all portions of Alabama show persons here
tofore opposed to reconstruction declaring
themselves in favor of the new constitution.
and that too. not, a. one says, = az some
took the reconstruction laws - the best We
could do - = but - because | approve it
co rdially and heartily
We certainly have cause for rejoicing at
the great success which has thus far attended
the Congressional plan and the prospect of
it's speedy completion.
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGES.
The President has. during the past week.
sent to Congress several messages, of which
two or three have been very important and
interesting. The first that i worthy of
notice, was that giving his reasons for the
removal of Mr.. Stanton. These reasons.
while they seem TO be an after thought, ut
least have a great deal of cogcncy. They
are chiefly the want of harmony which his
presence caused in the cabinet, and the NAL
feasance in Office Of Mr. Stanton in action
relating to the New Orleans riot. The
President gives for his Justification the facts
that Mr. Stanton was most loud in his asscr-
ton of the unconstitutionality of the civil
tenure bill, the veto of which Mr.. ). after
ward prepared, that the policy which he has
b1 bel .,,H
which MIR. Stanton has been violently on
posing, was originally the one proposed for
Mr.. Lincoln by Mr. Stanton himself We ,
can hardly wonder that in view of all these
and especially when Mr.. t
Stanton claimed the protection of this very
civil tenure bill, the President insisted on
his removal and had no hesitancy in disrc- ,
does not now stand before the people in an
envable light, and unless he should succeed ,
in proving Mr.. Johnsons statements false {
much of the confidence, esteem and sympathy t
Of the people for his supposed wrongful and I
unlawful removal will be lost.
The second communication of importance !
was one giving report of Gen. Sheridan on q
the trial of the murderer Lusk, by court c
martial the only case under the recon /
,truction acts and the endorsement Of Gen /
Grant thereon. | only consider this impor- C
ant from the fact that it contains something y
~ which we may arrive more certainly at a d
rue estimate of Grants character. and also ,
Is showing the true spirit of the Southern :
.ebels and Northern coppcrheads-for Lusk
vas one of the latter
The third message was a most remarkable =,
document, curious for its unique character
By it we see the President of the United
states, under the pretext of extolling an
,fficer of the army, casting slur upon all =
he other officers. and venting his wrath u
specially against Grant and Sheridan. 1t :
vas a recommendation that Gen. Hancock,
having presented q example OF the high
st public virtue that human nature is capa-
lie of producing in his orders and actions Il
while in command of the 5th Military De
,artment and presented so striking con-
rast to the other military commanders in "
lis devotion to the principles of Washing y
on, should receive the thanks of Congress. =
hope all your readers will peruse the whole y
Message closely, for it shows the character y
f the man who wrote it. 1t is especially
$ at present the most prominent candidate =,
or the Democratic presidential nomination, -,
hough many assert tn at Mr.. johnson will "
e their nominee. Suffice it to say. Con- "
I1a tI,o ,,f(