The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-10
The Proposed Compromise Between Con-
gress and the President.

From the ". Y. Herald
Our Washington correspondence states that
a strong effort will be made at the next meet
ing of Congress to harmonize matters between
the two coptending branches of the Govern
ment-that a Congressional committee will be
appointed to wait upon the President for the
purpose of ascertaining what his views are
with reference to reconstruction and if he has
any plans to submit. 1t is scarcely possible
that such a plan is under serious considera-
ton. The Congress of the people, by doing
this, would virtually acknowledge that all
their efforts to restore order to the distracted
Southern States have been abortive, and that
now, penitent for their ineficiency, they are
willing to acknowledge their mistake before
the President and ask for whatever he may
choose to dictate. This is not human nature,
and certainly little in accordance with the
spirit which Congress has heretofore mani
tested. Much less would we see it established
as principle that the representatives of the
people should, as branch of the Government,
be brought to terms by any one of its other
branches; for that would be subversive of all
our republicanism. We may have, by peace
able revolution agreed to by the people, one
branch overruled by the other two divisions of
the Government. We cannot, however, look
dulSIly Ou anu SS6 any OHe ulNlSlOu brought 10
terms by another. Neither Congress nor the
President have, up to the present time, done
anything but what they have right to do.
The curb is the Supreme Court, and this has
not been brought into action.
Doubtless Congress- watching the political
changes that are assuming less radical form
in all the States, see the necessity of accom-
modatiDg themselves to the demands of the
people, and are disposed to narrow the breach
ba I,,,t
it will not be done in the way already sug-
gested. 1t must be effected in a manner
worthy the dignity of the Legislature of a
great people. The President, however, if he
has reconstruction policy, need not be asked
to present it, for it is in his power, by a mes
sage in proper form, to state his policy, and
| Congress may then act upon it in the regu-
| larly established manner.
The political condition OF Virginia, as shown
| by our correspondence, must have its inhu
ence; it is anything but encouraging to the
| ultra radicals. Although the negroes carried
a majority in the State Convention, it was by
counting the State by districts. The returns
now show a white majority of 1868 votes
These will undoubtedly be conservative, or o
that party which desire a return to peace anC
| prosperity rather than the handling of politi
cal power. In view of the condition of Vir
ginia, it is evident that the radicals canno
count too certainly upon the power Of tn
black element in the South, especially wheI
we see the opposition which healthy reaction
is bringing to the front. The President AN,
Congress must plainly see that the people ar
beginning to take up the question which thei
rulers have been unable to settle. If tn
Executive and Congressional powers can rea
the handwriting on the wall, let them haI
monize. Were either to bow completely I
the authority of the other, it would be tn
, | Woist phase OF our revolution.