Litchfield enquirer., 1868-08-20
A September Session of Congress.

Congress adjourned, last month, to meet in September, if thought advisable; other wise to wait for the regular December ses- sion. Many Southern Republicans advo- cate September Session in order to arm and strengthen their new State govern ments against threatened insurrection. If such is the general desire of those govern ments, we hope it may be complied with. There is no question but the South is being dangerously disturbed by the ap- preaching presidential election. The Blair letter, the nomination of Blair on that let ter, and the heated political atmosphere of Tammany Hall, sent the Southern dele gates home crazed with the expectation of renewed ascendancy. The speeches of Hampton and his co-delegates, the tu. mults and settlements that have occurred since throughout the South, the alternate coaxing and bullying of the black race by the Southern Democracy, show how ear nestly they are at work to regain their lost power.
 Their plan is evident: First, by intimidating laborers, by silencing promi- pant hlaek and white Unionists. by infu 10 carry enough Southern States to ensure the election of Seymour and Blair-by peaceable means if possible, but by all the force and fraud that characterized the first Kansas election, if necessary. Next, they propose to overthrow by open force the lately established governments, immediate ly on Democratic victory in November.
 To avert these dangers, the new govern ments m ust have thorough, we'll armed mi htia organizations. It is question wheth- CT they can arm their militia without as- sistance from the General Government; and, unless they can make their legitimate power felt, there is great risk that the influence of the aristocratic land-holder. the force of the Confederate soldier, and the fraud of the Democratic politician will l all combine to render the election in many Southern States complete farce
 It is true that the Constitution requires the President to assist State governments ln danger from instruction, and that Mr. 'ohnson seems now inclined to render that assistance; but is it safe to trust Andrew Johnson? When the chance of reassem- ohng of Congress has passed, his policy may shift, and then the case is past remedy the assistance he may afford need only be tardy, to be useless. ( But, say the Democracy, instead of al- a aylng strlfe, the arming of the Southern I ailifla will inevitably lead to civil war. If e noSe governments are legitimate, they de- U er'e to be so strengthened that no attack an De safely made on them. A AState mill ia' It must be remembered, has right to s 'in' IL IS humbug unless armed; it is ifs u uFy 10 arm when insurrection is threaten. il a. The last six months of MT. Bucbon g ad1lmlinistration 1ll proves that no policy is Snols sighted as that of not preparino G .o' treason for fear rof irritating it. The b7 ,' anu perhaps the only way to prevent lsurrection, is to strengthen tbe nan, xo in fhments beyond the reach of insurroo th on. .r .e- ..r -.r~~~ insorrec- n, southern Republicans are fiobtino .ho al residential campaign against odds oreot
 'nan mere numbers. Property, heredi. ell :! |. nhuence' arms and military organi- gr ''lon' are all against them, yet with. fair tn ay tney are sure to win. If is tbe ,,1.;, an " ol Congress to see that they have fair pc 2. -' even even Ii 1t involves session in Sen mber. "1E - ''op tn
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