The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1867-02-17

HE Legislature and KgesIOT@l ton.
The report Of the Committee on
State and Federal Relations in the
House of Representatives, which we
publish this morning, and which was
called forth by the special message of
the Governor communicating the new
plan Of settlement or reconstruction.
disposes Of the subject in a manner at
once respectful and judicious. In
deed it is to be regretted that the oc-
casion for this utterance, by the Leg
islature, was not furnished at an earli-
er period Of the session. For many
months the people have been in the
painful situation of the traveller, who.
doubling whether the path he is pur-
suing IS the right one, is at a loss to
determine whether it is best to pro
coed, or to retrace his steps. The re-
port Of the Committee gives expires
sion to the inquiry, which the people
are every where making Of each other
-Are The people Of The Southern Suites
expected 10 take any part IN tie aoork Of
reconstruction, and y so, eohat are they
erTectedto do2
OncA.eature in this admirable re
port deserves special notice 1t
evir"es, as we think very opportunity,
disn.~.uation to be led into party
combinations, Our present attitude
was taken when there appeared to be
entire harmony between the several
departments Of the Federal Govern
mcnt. There was no design, on our
part to produce discussion, or to
form party. We did what was re
quired Of us by the exigencics Of our
situation, and what appeared to be,
the will Of the Government and
people Of the United States. Now that
n rupture has unhappily occurred be
tween the Federal Executive and Con
gress, twould be most unwise, in oui
situation, having no kind of political
influence whatever, TO place ourselves
in an attitude of hostility to either
The Congress of the United States has
Enthusiastically assumed the right tc
prescribe the terms on which we are
TO be admitted to the full exercise O.
the rights Of a State in the Fedora
Union, and such is the unanimity O
that body as at present composed, anC
such the composition Of that which is
soon TO succeed it, that it no Longer
remains doubtful by what power ouI
destiny is to be shaped. Accordingl,
the Committee have, wisely we think
declined to recommend any expires
sion Of opinion respecting a plan o
settlement which, not coming from
the controlling power, can only be re
garded as an experiment, and hav,
taken the occasion to address to tn,
Congress of the United States, the
question which we have long asked
vainly of each other, and which can be
authoritatively answered by that body
alone.
The plan pursued by President
Johnson and the Southern States, in
the recess of Congress, and which is
indicated with so much clearness and
vigor by the Committee, has not sue
ceeded because it failed to meet the
approval of Congress. 1t is, there
fore, very plain, that to enter upon
another scheme which has not, so far
as We know, the sanction of that
body, would be to take another step
in the dark. There is, indeed, but
one course left to US, and that is to in
vite Congress to indicate what we are
TO do in order to restore good feeling,
quiet and repose and when that body
shall prescribe to us its will, to consid-
er seriously, whether consistently with
our duty and consciences, we can con
form to it.