The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-24

/ that Congress is bound to do-to provide the
! guarantees which the sentiment not less than
! tbe interest of the loyai states demands
| without producing panic. To be thorough
| and earnest, II is not requisite TO play into
! the hands OF gold gamblers, or TO trghten the
! holders of national securities Congress may
] hold its ground Against the President without
running wild on the subject OF impea chmsut.
And 1t is at least possible that the premature
multiplication of plans of reconstruction, while
the plan solemnly submitted by Congress Is yet
in allegiance, will tend to aggTavate and delay,
rather than simplify and hasten the adjustment
of the question. The statesmanshiD that would
command the respect of the country must begin
by showing that it respects itself. And this 1t
does not do when it plays with impeachment as
though it were harmless game, or talks of the
reconstruction of ten States with leyity that
might more properly mark the management of
town election. -.E ...t
Bill TO Regulate the Practice and Define
the Powers OF the supreme Court.
From the Herald.
Since the day when Chief Justice Taney in
pronouncing the decision of the Supreme Court
of the United States in the Dred Scott case,
declared that negro under the Federal Consti.
tuition "has no rights which white man is
bound to respect that Court has been under
cloud of popular odium as the devoted and re-
morseless instrument of the Southern pro-
slavery olgarchy. In the recent decisions of
this Court we see that this old leaven of slavery
still leavens the whole lump by majority OF
one and that without reconstruction of the
tribunal or a timely law of CONGRESS defining its
powers and limitations, we must prepare for
some other and bOleer decisions, involving a
justification of secession and rebellion as CON
stltutional rights, and the condemnation of the
war for the Union as an invasion OF State sove-
regnty and a blunder and failure.
In this eMgency, Mr.. Williams ofPennsylvania
on Monday last came to the rescue in the
House OF Representatives with bill which, we
think, neatly covers the necessities of the situa-
tion. 1t is "bill 10 regulate the practice and
define the powers of the Supreme Court" 1t
provides that ''all cases of writs of error from
and appeals to the Supreme Court of the United
States wherein is drawn in question the validity
| otany statute or other auti ority of the United
States, or the construction of any clause OF the
Constitution, the validity OF a statute of or an
! authority exercised under any State on the
| ground of repugnancy TO the Constitution or
! laws of the United States the hearing shall only
! be had before full bench Of the judges OF such
! court, and no judgment shall be rendered or
! decision given against the validity of any
! statute or any authority exercised by the United
! States unless with the concurrence OF all the
| judges OF such court"
On the motion for the suspension of the rules
for the introduction of this bill, the vote of the
House stood lO7 to 80, a strict party vote, ex-
! cepting Mr.. Raymond, half-ald-half, who voted
| this time with the Democrats in the minority
| The bill was then referred to the Judiciary Com
| mittee, and we presume that 1t will soon be re-
| d IL
passed into a law. The authority of Congress in
this direction is ample and clear The Constr
tuition says that ''the judicial power OF the
United States shall be vested In one Supreme
Court, and in such inferior Courls as the Con-
gress may from time to time ordain and esta-
bllsh;" that ''the judicial power shall extend to
all cases in law and equity arising under this
Constitution the laws OF the United States, and
treaties made which shall be made under
their authority" etc, and that lin all cases
affecting ambassadors, other public ministers
and consuls, and those in which a State shall
Ee party, the Supreme Court shall have origi.
nal Jurisdiction. In all other cases before mem
toned the Supreme Court shall have appellate
jurisdiction, both as TO law and fact, with such
exceptions and under such regulations as the
Congress shall make"
The remedy contemplated-the conversion of
the court to the issues of the war and the ulti-
matum of the loyal States-can be reached in
be rendered. or decision given against the valid
ity of any statutes Oh any authority exercised
by the United States, unless with the concur
renee of all the judges OF the court" This dill,
| then, il passed into law, will practically relieve
the Supreme Court OF any further interference
with Congress IN this business of Southern
| reconstruction, and it may thus operate in "A
remarkable change of Southern sentiment tor
| it appears that the main reliance OF the ntracta-
| bic ruling classes of the South now is in this
Supreme Court, as it is now divided five judges
in their favor against four, and as its decisions
upon all questions are now made by bare
majority.
II begins to be apparent therefore, that,
according TO the Constitution n, the Issues decided
by the war will be established under the will of
the people and the authority of Congress over
the rebellious States, and that all impediments
blocking the way will be removed, including
the present majority rule of the Supreme Court
and a hostile Executive. Nor are these things
the mere eXpedients OF party for party pur
poses. They are the demands of great revo-
luton which cannot be resisted, but which must
run its course. Starting with this revolution
IRON Fort Sumter, we expect to follow it to It's
legitimate and CrOWning results.
President johnson and the Democratic
Party.
From the World.
"Did Andrew johnson, directly ater his acces
sion TO the Presidency, resolve to break with tue
party which had elected hlm Vice President ant
place himself at the head of its antagOnissW 1
he did, then the assumption that Congress ha
rlckad q nnarral with him Il relnied: il he did