The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-01-09
News From Washington.

NEWS from w 6SnlnstOus
Owing to the snow and ice we have not re-
ceived regularly our usual Northern mails.
The Potomac is closed with ice, thus prevent
ing the regular transmission of the mails We
CLEAN, however some important items from
the papers,
The Senate of the United States has repeal
ed, by vote of q to z, the section OF the
confscation act which authorizes the Presi-
dent to grant pardons. The House will no
doubt concur with the Senate in this action.
This will leave probably 500 persons unpar-
doned in the Southern States, for the most
part instigators and leaders of the rebellion.
In this State we believe William A. Graham,
Asa Bicgs, Josiah Turner, Jr., 2. B. Vance,
Burton Craige, Thos. l.. Clingman. and B. 8.
Gather are still unpardoned.
1t is stated that Mr.. johnson, ofMaryland,
spoke at length on the question. He said he
had urged the Executive to issue general
amnesty. Some of the best iurists of the
country had expressed the opinion that the
moment belligerant rights were granted, the
commission of treason was impossible. Mr..
johnson is dangerous adviser. We can
not see how aperson can sit under the dome
of the Capitol, in full view of the ensigas of
national authority and glory, and utter dis
loyal sentiments. 1t is gratifying fact that
there are but few Senators who entertain the
views Mr.. johnson does.
We are still without full report of Mr..
Stevens great speech in the House on the
state of the country, urging the re-organiza-
ton of the insurgent Statee. On the 4th Mr..
Stevens again had the floor, and declared in
the course of his remarks that no Stateshould
be admitted with his consent which did not
grant loyal suffrage without regard to color.
tits stated that MIR Ashley, from the COM
mittee on Territories, has introduced bill to
re-organize the insurgent States. We have
not seen this bill, but we hope to be able to
publish it in our next.
Itnow seems to be considered certain that
the Howard amendment will be adopted as a
finality by three-fourths of the States repre-
sented in Congress. Even Judge Spalding,
who proposes by joint resolutin to assure the
ten excluded States that they will be admit
ted to Congress as soon as they adopt the
amendment, holds that their adoption of it
will give it no additional validity, but is to
be taken only as an indication of their dispo-
sition to come to terms. Therefore, as soon
as three-fourths of the States now fully in the
Union shall have adopted the amendment,
Congress will direct thefact to be proclaimed
that it is part of the Constitution, and as
such it will 60 at once into effect. The South
ern organizations will then crumble and dis
appear, and it will be indispensable that
Congress shall proceed Immediately to the
work of reorganization. Great events move
slowly. Our loyal friends must be patient
Every thing that ought to be done to protect
them by establishing loyal rule, rM be done
Undue time.
We think it more than probable that the
reports in the papers to the effect that Presi-
dent johnson has uttered this thing or that,
on public affairs, with the view of influencing
the Congress or the Southern States, are I'M
founded. The President speaks officially in
his messages. Those Southern traitors who
cherish the hope that the President will head
a revolution against the Congress, or that he
will refuse to enforce such laws as that body
may pass, are as much mistaken as they were
when they promised the Southern people
every day, for years. that England or France
would intervene in their behalf, or that the
Northwestern States would secede and Join
the South.
The report that Mr.. Ashley would prefer
articles of impeachment against the Presi-
dent, is not confirmed.
The commission of members of Congress to
investigate the New Orleans riot have re-
turned to Washington. We may expect their
report soon.