New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-07-03
THE MEETING or CONGRESS.

Inc ALth Congress resumes ltS SlttiuSs AZ
Washington to-day. Though but few mem
bers were in WASH ngton on Monday while
many left for Europe in the confident belief
that no Summer session would be held, there
seems no reason to doubt that q quorum OF
either House will respond at roll-call at noon.
The first business of the session is an au-
thOritative calculation of the provisions OF the
Military Reconstruction act of the last Con-
gress, as supplemented by the explanatory
measure passed ut the March session of the
present.
There should never have been any question
as to the meaning OF the original act. Its es-
sential palpabIc, avowcd purpose was an as
scrtion of the paramount authority of the
Union over the States lately in revolt against
and fighting to destroy that Union. No mat
ter what the special pleading of crafty law
ycrs may seem to make out, every one knows
that this was exactly the intent and purpose
of the acts in question The commanders of
the five Military Districts which comprise those
quasi States are made temporary repositories
of the National authority, and executors OF the
National will, just as they necessarily were in
Louisiana, in Florida, and in California, during
the first stages of their Territorial existence,
while those districts awaited organization as
self governing communities ut the hands of
Congress. If, then, the acts in question do not
srlbscrve their end so thoroughly that no cum
ming lawyer can defeat it, an act must tie
passed that cannot he misconstrued nor eyaded.
This is the duty that more Immediately cOmpes
the present meeting of Congress.
1t is reported that those Members who favor
the impeachment of President Johnson viii i'm
prove the opportunity 10 submit q report from
the Judiciary Committee and articles based
thereon, not with intent to press trial in this
weather. and with Washington so VIGOROUSLY
unhealthy, but in prospect of an adjournment
to October, and of proceeding with the trial at
that time. They have, of course, u right to
move at their own discretion; but We do not
believe Congress nr"par"d az th'' ''---~ "
second or countenance their efforts.
On the other hand we trust that those Mem
bers who are inyncibly opposed to any scheme
of Coniiscation and who anxiously seek The res
toration of the States lately in revolt to SELF
government and representation in Congress at
thc earliest day consistent with National In
tegrity and Liberty for All, will insist on such
action Az shall place that goal in full view, and
tell each unreconstructed State precisely how
TO reach it, 1t does not suffice that Congress
stands ready to recognize any State which shall
i'm good faith reconstruct herself after the pat
tern of Tennessee: the fact must be placed
beyond the reach of misrepresentation or cayll.
The Comprehend calumny that the Republicans
do not mean TO restore the Southern States
do not want them restored on any terms-has
been allowed to work mischief quite long
enough. There must be no unseemly haste
no reckless neglect or disregard OF appropriate
guaranties-but the subducd States and their
people must bc told exactly what Is required
of them, what will be the consequences OF re-
fusing to do it, and what the rewards OF ODE
dience and return TO loyalty. Ii is not enough
TO tell them what to do, and leave in doubt
the consequences of obstinacy, the advantages
of compliance. Let everything be made clear
as the MONDAY sun, and let the people OF the
South see and feel that we heartily wish their
restoration to self-rule Let them know pre-
cisely what they forfeit by further mulishness,
what they gain by hearty acquiescence, and let
no State be shut out of the next choice OF
President unless through its own fault. SO
shall the July session. though brief, be rendered
one of the most fruitful and benefcent.
We are not complaining that the Confisca-
tonists are busy and emphatic: We complain
rather that their adversares seem timid, dis
organized, and reticcnt. We trust that they
will seem so no longer, but will deserve success
by at least seeking it.
That the confiscation policy has no majority
in Congress is proved by the naked fact that
40 regular effort has been made to enforce il.
It's champions are not the ones to forfeit any
advantage by failing TO demand it. On the
other side there is far greater modesty; yet
the debates last Spring evince decided frank
ness in avowing, if no earnestncss in urging,
what seem to us the more liberal and en-
lightened convictions. When Mr.. Stevens, on
the 10Th of last March, brought up his bill to
confscate all the public lands in the Rebel
States, and all property declared confiscated
by the Act of July II, 1862, he sustained that
policy by speech in which every possible
argument for confscation was deliberately pre-
sented. Yet the best disposition he could
secure for his bill was its postpOnement till
December.
We close with repetition of our anxious
hope that the Reconstruction policy of Con-
gress, not in single aspect only, but in erery
aspect, will now be made so clear and COM
plete that ingenuity can no longer peryert nor
hostility successfully defame it. Let us adj
vance as rapidly as may he through Order and
Loyalty to Universal Acknowledgement and en-
during Peace
The movement against war gains ground