Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1867-01-02
RrcoNsrRucr,oN IN CONGRESS.

sOutul III SohSiSoo anu o""' 80 iN~A
ton. 1t is the first business of the recen-
tly assembled Congress, and 1t Is to the
action of that body that all are looking
with intense interest The late elections
have SO far strengthened the position of
Congress that it seems inclined to take
hold of the matter in real earnest and
make settlement of it before the close Of
the session, There now propositions be-
fore both houses of Congress which will
compel that body to determine definitely
its course of action. There are three dis
tinct proposals awaiting action.
The first is resolution offered by Mr.,
Spaulding, which, is before the reconstruc-
tiop committee it offers them all they are
asking if they will adopt the constitutional
amendment. This throws the responsible
lily of remaining out Of the union upon
the rebel states themselves. l: offers
them all they are asking if they will ad-
opt the pending amendment. This is the
simplest and speediest method Of settling
the vexed question. It is entirely within
the province of Congress to make the Of
fer and will afford an excellent test of the
sincerity Of the southern people. !,
Another proposition comes from MI.
Stevens. He proposes to begin at the
foundation IN the reconstruction Of the
southern states. He asserts . that the
southern states are no longer states: that
they ceased to be states when they rebel
led /; that they are without properly or
ganized governments and that the Uni.
ted States having subdued rebellion is
called upon. to provide for the organiza-
ton of local civil authority. '9
Mr.. Sumner has offered resolutions af-
firming the authority Of Congress over
the whole matter, declaring the present
state governments illegal and the absence
of all right either to representation in
Congress or to vote upon the constitution
al amendment His proposition docs not
materially differ from that Of Mr.. Stevens.
Both adopt the theory of state suicide
and their mctho cd of proceeding point prac-
tically to the same end.
The question is hedged with Difficult
ties, and the main trouble arises from the
fact that Congress has adopted no definite
plan of action. 1t has held one session
and no one knows as yet what arc its real
sentiments. 1t would seem that too much
had already been done in the matter of re.
coguizing existing state governments. Ger
tainly in that of voting on constitutional
amendments, to render advisable - c..
r -, ."s Vut Of either Of the last named
propositions, Great difi2a,..;y would un.
doubtedly be experienced in resolving the
states back into territories, and possibly
much expenditure of treasure, and when
the matter is completed, what guarantee
is there that the newly formed states
would be any more under the control of
loyal men than now The real politica!
power Of the south is still in the hands
of the disloyal men and they will exert
all their strength to retain it, STOPPING
even to trickory and dissolution. ..
In the present position of affairs Con-
gress can afford to offer compromise. 1t
is more magnanimous to offer the rebel
states terms of pardon and amnesty than
to demand all the rights of conqaerors.
So much time has elapsed since the rebel.
lion closed and thugs have SO shaped
themselves that the most magnanimous
and liberal course will undoubtedly prove
the most accepts bic to all parties. Let
Congress adopt the first proposition. If
that has no effect then the others or some
thing akin to them will be in order. The
onus of resorting to extreme measures
should rest with the south. There should
be good and sufficient reasons for acting
on the Stevens Sumner proposition. grow.
ing more particularly out Of the present
complication OF the difficulty, than that
of resting solely on the admitted fact Of
the rebellion. ''.'' a'
The whole question is one Of the most
momentous ever brought before the coun-
try, and il demands grave consideration.
wise action and consummate statesman
=hip-N Y. Times,