The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-21
Rsoonstruetlon-A Polnt GAINED.

From ne ~. Y. Tines
There is hope for reoonstruotion-Mr Thad-
deus Stevens, though not victorious, has ac-
cepted an ultimatum and is satisfied. The
measure passed on Wednesday, divested Of
Mr.. Stevens method of increasing the South
ern representation, received the unbroken Re-
publican vote in the House, and goes to the
Senate with fair chance of speedy enactment.
II changes that provision of the present law
which requires the vote of a majority of the
number registered to complete reorganization
substituting therefor a simple majority of
the actual votes; and further facilitates the
work Of providing tor the election of members
of Congress simultaneously with the vote on
the new constitutions. This is all. And the
fact that no further conditions are suggested
by the extremists, but that, on the contrary,
Mr.. Stevens abandons threatened obstacles
and declares himself ready to sustain the ad-
mission of Southern representatives at the
earliest possible period under the law, shows
that the apprehension of disturbing influences
from that quarter need not be further enter
tanned.
The circumstance is rendered additionally
significant by the causes which produced it.
Mr.. Stevens would probably not desire to
have II understood that he voluntarily sur
rendered his position, or acquiesced in rational
views because Of their superiority. He is not
the man to yield, even to reason. But he
understands the folly of kicking against the
pricks. And when the great body of the
Republican members supported Mr.. Bingham
in his opposition to a proposition which
would have arbitrarily disturbed the basis of
Congressional representation, the venerable
Commoner wisely gave up the point, and took
his stand with the rest on the finality Of the
law as amended.
The party is then once more united on
ground controlled by the moderate element,
which has thus again proved its ability and
right TO dictate the policy by which the party
shall be estimated. The extremists have re-
ceded before superior force and today the
party in the House is harmonious and united
In favor of Fastening the restoration of the
South. II impediments arise, they will come
from the South itself. Congress is evidently
desirous of facilitating reconstruction, and
will neither sanction fresh penalties nor tole-
rate demands designed to prolong sectional
exclusion.
It is not unreasonable to suppose that the
present attitude OF the party, as indicated by
the action Of the House on Wednesday, has
been in some degree influenced by recent
manifestations Of Northern opinion. The
Republican majority have learned from Mr..
Johnson's experience the folly of attempting
to cultivate crochets and persevere in preju-
dices in defiance of public opinion. They see,
doubtless that the extreme radicals are guides
whom it is not safe to follow, and that the
future power of the party is dependent on the
practical success of its legislation. There is
no escape from the dictum, that by its fruits
It shall be Judged. Nor is there any means
of evsding the responsibility it has assumed
as the party by whose measures the Union is
to be restored.
From this assumed relation of cause and
effect, we derive the hope that the good sense
and moderation of the party will be further
shown when the results of the conventions
and the subsequent voting shall be brought
before Congress as the high court of revision.
The same spirit which has now restrained
Mr.. Stevens will then find useful exercise in
pruning, correcting, perhaps in lib5raizing
the constitutions framed by the conventions
The anxiety now felt to quicken reconstruc-
tion and render it easy will then take cogni-
zanoe of its reality. The mere form will be
valueless. To be permanent and sure, it
must have vitality-the life which spring 5
from justice and hberality as the guarantees
Of lasting peace.
For this ultimate test of republican states
manship we wait patiently, with an expecta-
ton strengthened by the course now taken by
Congress on the subject.