The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-20

Tng VTeaG VOWGT6
ferred from the Government of the Porte to the
Government of the Greek kingdom, because it
has not been clear that Crete would benefit by
the change. 1t may be difficult to say what
it is best to do with the unhappy islanders,
under the circumstances but it is now no
longer doubtful that the time has fully come
when the great powers ought to interfere
to prevent this unnecessary and wholesale
butchery.
A summer Session - Congress and the
From the Times.
Except in obedience to an obvious necessity,
a summer session of Congress is on every
ground undesirable. 1t will be a disturbing
element which the trade and industry of the
country can i'll afford to encounter. 1t will
seem to unsettle everything whether it actu-
ally do so or not. 1t will excite the fears of
the South, whose progress towards reconstruc-
tion is most satisfactory, and will for the time
paralyze the efforts of those of the Southern
leaders who urge the final character of the
existing law And it will afford an opportu-
nifty which the advocates of extreme measures
will turn to account. Impeachment con6sca-
tion, and penalties and disabilities without
number will in turn be ventilated, with the
certainty of adding to prevailing irritation,
and probability of mischief to both North
and South. These are not contingencies to
which the country should be exposed for the
qualification of partisan rancor, or to obviate
the mere possibility of wrongdoing on the
part of the President.
We are not prepared, however, to oppose an
early assembling of Congress if the danger
which many profess to anticipate actually
arise. If the President adopt the opinion of
the Attorney General as his rule of action in
,s,,t, of
if he reverse the proceedings of the Com
manding Generals and reinstate in Office the
persons they have removed-if by his orders
to the registers he confers the franchise upon
classes whom Congress has evidently intended
to disqualify-the interference of Congress
will be inevitable. If he treat the Southern
Governments as lawful Governments and the
military authority as a simple police force, in
direct contravention of the purposes of Con-
gress, further legislation will be requisite, as
well to undo the acts of the President as to
render the future Interpretation of the law so
clear and decisive that no legal ingenuity can
affect it. In that case Congress will be held to
perform its duty, and no more. The charge
that it seeks preteXt for multiplying the dis
abilities and delaying the admission of the
South will fall to the ground. It's action will
be vindicated as in harmony with its record,
and with the infexible determination of the
States it represents.
or proposes to do, in regard to the removals
which are reported to be under his considera-
tion. The fact that he may disregard the in
tent of the law is not reason for assuming
that he will violate it. The publication of the
Attorney Generals opinion does not form
proof that it will be the guide of the Execu-
tive policy. So far, it is admitted, the Presi-
dent has interposed no obstacle to the work
ing of the law. The Generals he selected have
the confidence of the country, and they have
been allowed to be masters of the situation.
Is it just to assume that he will henceforward
/ pursue a less discreet course, pregnant as it
must be with evil to the section with which
he is alleged to unduly sympathzel Is it
reasonable to suppose that he will forget his
own helplessness as against Congress, and
that he will wantonly provoke a renewal of
conflict which must end in his further mortif-
cation and discontinue We have less faith
in his judgment than in his honesty but we
are not prepared to believe him ready to in
terrupt the present working of the Reconstruc-
tion law in manner that would at once pro-
woke and Justify the resentment of Congress-
And, therefore, we deem it better to wait for
the occasion that would warrant a reassem-
! bling OF that body rather than to anticipate
Its occurrence, and to make that anticipation
the basis OF more stringent legislation.
An answer to this suggestion is ready, we
! are aware. Congress adjourned to the Sd of
Ouly5 anu IL must meet Ln6u OF await Jn6 COM
mencement of the regular session in December
In the five intervening months, we shall be
told, the President may do as he pleases with
out let or hindrance from the law-mal1ing
power. The possibilities of such period, in
view OF the Presidents knownsdesires, ought
not 10 pe ignored; and if July session were
lhe only means of guarding against them, it
ana ls attendant mischief might be borne with
patience There is, however, an easy and
ereotual method of providing for this form of
peril. Congress may formally assemble in
July and adjourn subject to the call of the
chief officer OF either Chamber If this he done
the disposition attributed to the President viii
be completely thwarted; he will realize the
folly of attempting what Congress NAV at anv
moment set aside The country Too viii
find in the restrained temper of Coneress the
best evidence of its strength, and tRe move.
ment towards reconstruction in the South will
be strengthened by the assurance thus given
that the law as it stands, and as now inter-
preted by the Generals in command, fulhls
all the requirements of the Republican party.
On the supposition that this the more mode
rate view does not prevail and that July
session be proceeded with as means of OBJ
WAITING bad faith and possible difficulty, it is
exceedingly desirable that the proviso which
the telegraph represents Mr.. Fessenden Ia
] have suggested, should regulate the proceed
ings OF the session. Mr.. Fessenden will at