The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-19
The Presid ent and Recon
Periis OF interference.


removes Sheridan, Pope, and sickles, reversing
their action, and reinstating the civil officers
whom they have displaced, we shall have
renewal, in its most violent form, of the radical
excitement of year ago. The tone of the ex-
treme radical press indicates this. Nothing
would suit their purpose better "A little
iudioious manipulation ON their part, under
such circumstances, would easily create new
riots and mobs in Southern cities. The active
interference of the military would be invoked.
Popular passion would be aroused. afresh
throughout the North and the country would
be plunged at once into new connections and
disturbances, fatal to the public peace and to
all hopes OF speedy reconstruction. sIl
Is this desirable What section or what
interest has anything to gain by itY It's first
result win be to prolong the exclusion of the
South from Congress, and to exclude them
utterly from taking part in the next Presiden-
tial election. The Rebel interest in the South
may, and doubtless will, hail such action, If
the President shall take IL, as special inter-
position on their behalf. II may delay mea
sures which they resist--but 1t will only be to
introduce others more severe, and render their
success doubly certain, Why should the
President lend himself to schemes which aim
only at prolonging strife and postponing the
day when the Union shall be again fully re-
stored If .-r
The Attorney General has argued the case
with very great ability, but he has argued it
like lawyer, and as if none but legal points
were involved in its decision. We confess
that in the main, we deem his argument con-
elusive. Upon legal grounds it will not be
easy for any one to answer it. But it is not
question to be decided on legal grounds alone.
Other considerations of still greater conse-
quence are involved. The question is one of
public policy, and it must be decided upon
grounds of the public welfare. Mr.. Stanbery
SAYS that the law must be construed
strictly, and he therefore restrains within the
narrowest possible limits the powers which
it confers. But it must also be construed
with reference to the will and purpo of those
who made it. l.a. as
The motive and intent of Congress in pass
ing the law enter largely into its construction
even in court of law, and still more largely
in deciding how it shall be carried out; and
the President knows perfectly well that it was
not the intent Of Congress, in passing this law,
to restrict within narrow limits the power and
jurisdiction of the military commanders whom
it created, and to enlarge the authority of the
local civil authorities at their expense. Its
motive and purpose were exactly opposite
openly, avowedly, notOriously so. The only
reason for passing the law at all was to restrain
and restrict the power of the local authorities,
the State Governors, Legislatures, and judges.
and the object of the law was to weaken and
reduce their power to the lowest point. This
must be taken into consideration when the
execution of the law is in question. ..-H.
If the military regime were to be perpetual
in the South-if we were laying now the foun-
dations of permanent rule there-the case
would be different. We might then justly
and wisely be technical and obstinate in con-
tending for the largest exercise of local liberty.
But it is not so. The existing rule is tempo
rary, provisional, merely stepping stone to
the reestablishment of civil authority by the
people themselves. 1t is merely gateway
| through which the South is to re6nter the
Union-a bridge over which they cross into
the resumption of their constitutional rights
and the renewal of their authority over their
own affairs. Why wrangle over temporary
troubles, to the delay and possible defeat of the
great end to be accomplished.
When the Military bill was on its passage in
Congress, Mr.. Stevens did not hesitate to say
that he deplored its passage because the Presi-
dent would sign it, the South would take it
and come back into Congress, with increased
representation and the negro vote, and take
part in the next Presidential election. Such a
result would be disastrous to measures which
he deemed essential to the public good. The
President did not realize his fears by signing
the bill; but he will now crafty his hopes if
he obstructs its operation and delays the re-
construction 1Or winch III pfOVlueS. Inc law
is working well. The Southern people do not
complain of the tion of the military COM
manders. Sheridans s removal of Mayor Monroe
and Judge Abel met the approval of all loyal
men, and his displacement of Governor Wells
was received with hearty applause by men of
all parties throughout the State. The famous
Order No. 10 issued by General Sickles was
approved by Governor Orr and all the leading
men of every class in the State, and has
wrought out none but good results.
! In our judgment the President will commit
a very grave mistake if he interrupts this
steady and acceptable operation of the law.
Practically, he will neither aid nor please any
considerable portion of the Southern people,
while he will arouse very sharp hostility
everywhere else, and play directly into the
hands of those who seek pretexts for fresh
cOmmotion, and for putting still further of
the restoration of peace and union to the
country.