The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-07-08
Receussracties-A Practical Bill and . Short
Session. On et

Session. 1 sf
Congress seems inclined TO practical purposes
and moderate views, and its tone on the impor-
tant subject that has induced the summer SEES
sion is such as will be satisfact tory to the coun-
try at large. From the strength Of its position
we might have expected nothing less than the
wise moderation exhibited in its persistent re-
fusai to even hear the extravagant proposals
and plans already sketched out by the revo-
lutionary dreames and agitators, who find that
their occupation will be gone ii they are not
permitted to excite the country on some theme
newer than the niger. By distinctly shelving
the class of Missionaries who become dangerous
only when Congress, by listening, sends their
wildness to the country with q quasi endorse
ment, it gains the confidence of the people, and
will carry with it in whatever it does the moral
support Of the whole nation. The people are
disguised with Congressional philosophy aud
want no more of it, whether it come from Sum-
ner, Wade or Stevens, whether it be new
Niger notion or agrarianism in any shape.
They want business, and Reconstruction bill
that will settle the country and do away with
all possible vetoes by Interpretation.
1t is said that the House Reconstruction
Committee has already agreed upon q bill and
will present it to-day. The outlines given in
dictate practical measure. First, We have o
declaration that the military government is
supreme in the Southern States, and that all
If continued are continued by the authority of
the commanders and subject to them for all
purposes; second, clause declaring valid all
acts Of the commanders done under the laws
hitherto passed; and, third, an obliteration Of
the Attorney Generals interpretation on the
question of the registry q voters, making the
law the guide of the registry boards and giving
those boards the power to erase any names al
ready on the roll in cases In which there Is
reason to believe the oath was improperly
taken. Another clause puts It out Of the power
Of the President TO remove Ut his own caprice
any one OF the military commanders. This
last clause, taken with tho previous vote sus-
tanning the generals, indicates how strongly
they stand before the country and how
fully It approves Of the energetic, earnest and
conscientious course they have pursued in the
discharge Of their high duty. With their acts
thus approved and their position made more
positive, they will doubtless 60 forward in
their important labors immensely encouraged
and strengthened by such unequivocal evil
dences Of the national confidence.
Judging from only this outline Of the bill, 1t
is intended TO present, 1t seems, sufficient for
the purpose, and 1t should pass with only
enough debate to try the strength Of its several
provisions, that we may be sure 1t will not be
so easily broken through as the former bills
were. Such bill passed, the main business Of
the session would be done, and Congress
should adjourn with as little delay as possible
Above all, it should waste no time and give
occasion for no violent harangues or President
making schemes on the topic Of Impeachment.
With satisfactory law and the commanders
out of his reach, the President will be quite
unable to throw any fresh obstacles in the way
Of reconstruction; and as impeachment would
be, therefore, unnecessary, even the discussion
OF il in Congress would do evil by stirring
fresh agitations and excitements 10 disturb the
commercial and other relations of the country
with European Powers.
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