Year: 1868

We feel that the country owes Congress
the highest honor. 1t is not often that q
legislative body, composed of men who
represent 80 many varied interests aud con-
stituences, not always above Presidential
Establishments, nor free from the influences
Of power can show such noble unyielding
devotion to principle. Congress has shown
this. 1t has passed the ordeal of a frey
furnace, and we feel it should be honored.
We have had no Congress since that which
framed the Declaration OF independence so
deserving OF theRepublic's gratitude.


Twelve months ago, there seemed a fair
prospect that our political troubles were
near an end. Four years of war had dcmol.
ished the theory of secession and State
sovereignty; two years more of dispute and
turmoil had left the rebellious States pre-.
pared to accept almost any tolerable terms
of restoration and, when the just and lib
eraL plan proposed by Congress was laid be-
fore them, there seemed no reason why
they should not adopt it unanimously. If
they had done so, there would have been
no further occasion tor strife. The vacant
seats in the Senate and House would have
been filed. Military Governors would
have been among the things of the past,
Courts marshal and arbitrary Interference
with the regular process Of law would
have been among the troubled memories OF
the war. Industry would have revived.
The laborer would quietly have earned his
hire, the planter devoted himself to his
crops, and the merchant to his trade. With
the restoration Of social order and public
prosperity, starvation and pestilence would
have passed away like some horrible night
mare, and the rich fields and pleasant cities
of the South would once more have smiled


We at the North did our part to bring all
this, aud our brothers at the South would
have done their part, too, but their evil
genius drove them into other courses. On
the threshold of peace, they were stopped
by the high-priest of dscord. In the very
hour of reconstruction, tue great prophet OF
hatred held up his policy of anarchy, and
tempted them TO renewed disorder. An
drew johnson has succeeded 10 tho bad
eminence once occupied by Jefferson Davis
Davis urged the Southern States out OF the
Union johnson prevents them from com
ing in. One " as the apostle of secession
The other il the chief adversary Of recon
struction, One was the advocate OF war
The other is the promoter of an anarchy
which is worse than war; the fomenter o
hostility more bitter aud more dangerouI
l
open field.


The policy Of president Johnson has beer
throughout to rouse the dormant passion
of the Southern Rebels, to kndle afresh tn


smothered antipathy Of race, and out o
these unholy materials to build mp for him
self party which should control the Who'll
country. Don't submit. he cried, TO the re
peutant South don't come back until yol
can come as conquerors. Don't yield 10 tn


vctors the fruit of their victory. You ar
the masters you are the predes.ned .rul
ers of the Union yours are the promises
The North is strong Of arm, but tender O
heart and weak of head Raise the cry O
social anarchy, and you can f'ighten int


whatever you want. Sheridan interiere'
to prevent the execution Of this. uioke'
plan, and the President hurled him fron
his place Stanton refused to lend himsel
to the scheme, and he TO was driven iron
Office. Pope and Sickles made stand 70
peace and justice, and they were removed
Full warning was given that the.
might swindle aud abuse the negroes