The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-28
CONGRESS ADJOURNED.

Ever since Congress commenced, about
three years ago, the policy of subcrdinating
all its legislation to the paramount purpose of
perpetuating the rule of the dominant party
by every means and at all hazards, its history
has been little other than that of a revolu-
tionary committee in permanent session. Its
enactments in this character have been of
such nature that it was often impossible to
foresee the precise manner or effect of their
execution. They have sometimes proved as
perplexing to those by whom they were de-
vised as pernicious to the country at large.
Hence, in its supreme devotion to the in
terests of revolutionary party Congress
could not afford to consider its work at any
time as complete, or TO adjourn for a regular
vacation. Pending the presidential campaign,
the urgency for unremitting presence at its
post of vigilance and revision has been espe-
cially pressing But the presence of radical
senators and representatives in their respec-
tive States and districts for a large part Of
the campaign is equally demanded.
The adjournment of both houses yesterday,
not sine die, but to meet again on the third
Monday in September, was inspired by both
these considerations. While this will give
radical members of the two houses nearly
two months for individually canvassing at
home, it will also give them about six weeks
for a session of observation and consultation
on the course of the campaign in order that
they may be prepared to adopt any legislative
expedient which party emergency may seem
to demand as necessary to success. 1t would,
therefore, be altogether premature to con-
clude that the failure of the bill for arming
the "loyal militia" in the South and the bill
to provide provisional governments for
Mississippi, Texas and Virginia, indicates
that Congress has relinquished the thought
of further legislation designed to prevent the
election of any but the radical candidate for
President There will be time enough be-
tween the latter part of September and the
beginning of November for taking all supple
mentary measures in that behalf which the
occasion may suggest The proposition to
distribute arms to negro radicals to be used,
as Congressman Drake, of Missouri, frank
ly ayowed, against Southern conserva-
tives at the coming election, is simply
held under advisement from prudential rea-
sons. Between this time and the reassem-
bling of Congress some other plan, less anne
nable to popular objection in the North, and
of more certain efficiency with respect to the
desired result, for compelling a favorable
issue of the election in the South, may recon-
mend itself to the radical maiorities in the
two houses. Perhaps it is expected that
radical legislatures in this and other recon-
structed States will provide a military ma
chinery which will be adequate to the pur-
pose without the direct military Intervention
of the federal government in any form. But
it may be questioned whether there are good
grounds for such an expectation. In this
State, at least, the projects for maintaining
political domination by dragooning the oppo-
sition are, thus far, too complicated, con-
fused and cumbrous in detail, though afro
cious enough in design, to promise brilliant
results at the approaching election. The factis
there is an increasing volume of public opin-
ion, not in the South alone, but throughout
the country against the barbarous and de-
testable system of electioneering tactics which
the radicals of Congress instituted for the
creation of radical governments in the South,
and which these governments, as faithful and
servie imitators of their political creators, are
eager to practice for self-preservation as well
as for the universal spread of radical despot-
ism. Under the force of this public opinion,
the hold of the c0rpet-baggers, in Louisiana
and other States, upon the colored popula-
ton, is daily more uncertain and weak. The
intelligent and honest portion of that popula-
ton more and more realize the community
of interest existing between them and their
white countrymen, and more and more
awaken to the awful calamities to themselves
which would be the sequel of the social war
threatened by radical legislation. These COL
ored people are ready to act with the conserv-
atives, and the latter should by all means en-
courage this disposition on their part by
assisting them to organize and by assuring
them of protection against radical perse-
cution.
LOCAL POLITICS.