Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-05-11
The Extra Session.

The Extra Session.
The country will be relieved by the an.
nouncement that the Administration sees
the course clear for apostponement of the
extra session of Congress until the mid
die of October. The Democrats, to
whose factious Indifference to the re-
uuirements of the public service is attrib-
ulable the occasion for an assembling
of Congress in advance of the regular
session, will have difficulty in conccaling
their disappointment. The plans they
had conceived in anticipation of con.
test will wither under the delay. Their
chagrin will be shared by the extreme
members of the Republican party, who
were eager to make their disapprOval of
the Presidents action in the South pre-.
text for multiplying the difficulties that
lie before him. The calculations of both
classes will be somewhat upset. And,
in proportion to their modification, will
be the satisfaction of the people gener-
ally at the prospect of dcliverance from
Congressional strife at period when its
occurrence would be little short of a
calamity.
A June session, whose labors would
have been confined to the business left
unfinished in March, would have done no
great harm. Gradually, however, it has
become apparent that the Congress, if
called together at all, would entertain all
sorts of questions, without reference to
the effect upon public interests. Thus,
it would be disturbing force of the first
magnitude, put into operation just when
the country most requires the avoidance
of partisan controversy. The time is not
distant when events in South Carolina
| and Louisiana will form the basis of pro.
nounced criticism of the Presidents opin-
ions and objects. But the criticism
which finds expression in legislative ac-
tion should be intelligent and just, and
it cannot be either until the results
are known with defniteness that
would not be possible a month hence.
The ulterior political consequences will
require considerable time for their de-
velopment. BY the autumn, however,
we shall be in possession of data sniff
cient for discriminating judgment upon
the bearings of the settlement on busl-
ness interests, on the relations of the
races, and on the general temper and
condition of the two States directly con-
ccrncd A discussion of these matters
now would exhibit much dOgmatism on
opposite sides, with total absence of
positive information on the part of either.
! 1t would, therefore, be violent and mis-
chicvous. Six months further trial will
change the condition of the dispute.
On other grounds summer session
would have been misfortune. There
are some signs of an inclination to cut
down the army, professedly as an eco
nomical measure, but really as a means OF
impairing the ability of the Administra-
ton to act in support of the law in con-
tingencies that are by no means impossi-
BILE. BY this device it is in some quarters
intended to restrain indirectly the author
ity of the President as COmmander-in-
Chief, which the late House assailed di-
rectly through the proviso tackled to the
army appropriation. Apart from delay
incident to efforts of this kind, the legit-
innate needs of the Government might be
supplied within fortnight. But it is
we'll understood that other schemes were
in contemplation which would have an
unsettlng effect upon trade and finance,
and would further tend to revive partisan
animosities. The vague utterances from
the West in support of the movement for
rcmonetizing silver may have slight imme-
diate Importance, but they indicate an un-
expected strain upon the policy which
J points to the resumption OF specie pay
ment in 1879. The purpose of the more
| violent Democrats, to compel recon
sideration of the legislation consequent
upon the constitutional amendments
opens the door to questions which for
many reasons il is desirable not to touch
until the reconciliation of North and
South is more complete. Altogether,
sufficient topics are on the surface of af-
| fairs to make easy the task of members
who are intent upon creating breach
between Congress and the Administra-
tiOn, at whatever cost to the country.
OF course, the postponement of the
session until October cannot avert the
! ultimate conflict. The interval is long
enough, however, to be beneficial to
trade, and to facilitate mutual under
standings between moderate men, who
recognize the common interests that are
at stake, and the extreme men, who care
only for the interests of partisanship
The fact of delay will cool much mis-
chevous ardor, correct some misappre
tensions, and bring into clearer light the
capacity, motives and methods of the
Administration.-N Y, Times.
To- The Cincinnati Commercial says
"We see nothing in the declarations and
actions Of the President indicating the
least desire to abandon one iota of the
Republican principles which apply tC
questions of political expediency OF
human rights. He has, in respect oI
the Southern States, simply dropped 4
policy that has ceased to be useful, and
was an obstruction TO the restoration OF
peace, and made an experimental vent
ure for something adapted to the times
and likely to work more satisfactorily.
g7S- The Norfolk PirgtnidR, Demo
cratic paper, says that Mr.. Hayes has
fulfilled the promise which he made in
his letter of acceptance and repeated II
his inaugural address, and deserves the
appreciation Of the country for the
course he has SO far pursued.
Z Y .,gsn n