The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-01
In Opposition 10 q September Session
of Congress.

In Opposition TO september session
of Congress-.
LOOKING cal My at the present condition OF the
country, we do not hesitate to declare our
opposition to September session Of Congress.
The reasons which induce US to thus deem II
impolitio, II not improper, to thus call the
national legislature together, are sufficient to
carry conviction at least to our mind.
I. On the eve of national election when
the people have their ballots in their hand, it
is certainly expressing doubt OF the infalli-
bility Of this court of last resort, to make
laws to enforce its decision. 1t is not as II
general election were far of aud the mis-
guided, If not criminal, rulers must be held to
accountability by other powers than the
people. At present the people are themselves
sitting in judgment and will, beyond alt
doubt, punish their unfaithful servants. Why
not then leave this punishment without spe-
cial legislation We cauuot but see that IL
any partisan legislation be INDUCED in, it
would do far more harm at the North than 1t
will do good at the South. If, at this late
hour, other tests for voting be imposed on tho
Southern States, 1t will bs brought against us
our system Of reconstruction. We consider
that we have perfected it. II at this time We
undo what we have done, We at once confess
that it is not as it should be, and great capital
will be made out OF such a confession by the
sver-watchful Democracy.
II. Then, again, If Congress be assembled in
the heat Of party passions, in the midst Of the
seething, boiling oauldron OF political quarrels,
In which we are, there will naturally be many
things said which will be intemperate in tone
and highly inflammable in their character. We
have never, heretofore, held session of Con-
gress in the midst of Presidential election.
II we have one now the result will be that,
instead of debating question wisely, each
speech will be addressed to the people, and not
to the House. Partisanship will run ram
pant, and sentiments will in all proba-
billty be uttered by both sides which will
do infinite damage and might preoipitate
bloodshed. Each party has in its ranks men
who act rather from the heart than the head,
and once warmed up into passion they will
should have been repressed. Especially is this
the case with the Republican Southern mem
bers. Their grievances are great. They are
suffering gross wrongs and outrages, and the
people of the North know and realize their
wrongs and will redress them. But if
they meet in Conares5, it is only natural
for them to seek protection and to speak with
great vehemence. This We do not want. Lot
the punishment of the Rebel element be left
to the Northern people at the polls, and not
to Incorporate legislation. To avoid any
suoh danger, better let the Southern members
keep their views until December.
III. Even If the sesSion was to be called, the
time between its assemblage and the day of
election, is so short that the act desired could
not be made effective. Congress meets on the
2lst of September. 1t will require ten days
to mature law. The President pockets 1t for
ten days. Thus 1t will be the 18th Of October
before it could be law. Add to this the tune
necessary to transmit it South, have it pro-
claimed, probably have the Legislatures called
together, and it will be seen that 10 law could
have more than few days to take effect. This
would naturally iDjurs US in the North. The
conservative people are to day all ,Oith US. By
indiscretion we may drive them away. Let US,
therefore, not trust to the too inflammable
spirit Of the members, but leave it all to the
people.
Nv. Finally, even If there was time and
there was no improperly in such hasty legis-
lation, We do not deem it necessary. We CON-
slider the election of General Grant as certain
as that there is a sun in the heavens, unless
we throw It away by our own action. The
people are fully alive to the necessities of the
occasion, and appreciate, in a way which
no other people but the American can
appreciate, all the results of electing
one ticket or the other. They see perfectly
plainly what is the issue to-day, and reoog-
nize its identity with that which called them
to action in 1860 and 1864. There is the same
battle between the institutions Of the North
and OF the South now as there was then, only
intensified by the war. Caste, privileges, and
anti-D Democratic spirit on the one side, unity
of interest, equality Of political rights, no
privileges, but justice to all on the other.
Seeing this, can we doubt the Anne
rican peoplef No. The same deter
mination which elected Lincoln in 1860
and reelected him in 1854, will elec
Grant in 1868 by majority which will sur
prise even his most sanguins friends. This 1,
sure, unless we ourselves cancel our chances
by gross lethavgy or fatal error. Also, it Il
well to remember that we want the Republi
can members at home. Many of them hav,