Year: 1866

very little account But if the opponents OF
confederation wish to win at tho elections lei


them como out openly for annexation and go


before the people upon that issue.


The senasori.i Rsee.ssructisa Caucus


To-Day.


The radical members Of Sne Senate at WASH


ington, finding that they were uc::ssle to agree


upon the proposition reported by the Central
Directory for the reconstruction Of the South,


have held a caucus to reconstruct themselves.


They held two sessions on Friday and from


all indications found It about as hard to recon-


struct the republican party in tho Senate as


they have heretofore to reconstruct the South
ern States The task was greater than they


could accomplish in one day; they therefore
postponed final decision until to-day, when


they hope to secure restoration Of the
factions in that body as q preliminary to the
political adjustment Of the Southern States.


It seems to us that the labors Of these men in
this direction must convince them that they


do not understand the business Of reconstruc-
ton; that they have never learned the trade,
are not adopts in the profession and are at the
best only cobblers in that line. They had
better acknowledge this fact at once and save
themselves from modification and disappoint-
ment in the future.


Our private advices from Washington are TO
the effect that this caucus was far from being
harmonious. Those in favor Of the third Sec
ton Of the report of the Committee Of Fifteen
as it passed the House are in hopes Of getting
the entire republican portion Of the Senate
bound to that proposition by the action of the
caucus and thus push 1t through the Senate.
The more moderate portion endeavored to
modify it by limiting those who are to be
excluded from political and official honors to
those who were officers in the United States
army and navy and resigned their positions to
take part in the rebellion, those who retired
from either house Of Congress and those who
had held official positions under the United
States government prior to their taking part in
the rebellion. To those three classifcations
the moderate portion of the caucus desired to
coniine the operations Of the third section Of
the Congressional plan of reconstruction. 1t
does not appear that anything transpired to
determine whether those maintaining these
views were in majority or not,
inasmuch as no test vote was taken.
An adjournment was had until to-day
with the impression that the modification as
stated above will be agreed upon. This inn
preston may be but the foreshadowing Of the
final vote in the caucus; but wo strongly sus-
pect that it has been given out for the purpose
of securing q full attendance Of the conserva-
tive republicans, for the purpose Of getting
them bound by the action Of the caucua At
any rate, the determination appears to be to
practically settle this business of reconstruc-
tion in the caucus, with closed doors, rather
than in the open Senate. The prime object Of it
oil is to save the party from the ruin which
now threatens it from their past course. So,
after all, it is not the Southern States which
the radical Senators are exercised about, but
the republican party.


From all accounts there were many pitiful
stories told in the caucus about the dangers
that threaten the party this fall. Like set Of
converts at revival each had his expe-
ri"nces tn relate. and among The facts thus de-
veloped was that they were running Themselves
by refusing to confirm capable and loyal men
appointed by the President to Office. Others saw
the danger of remaining in permanent session.
The confessions on this point evidently made
an impression, for it seems that there was an
understanding that if they could succeed in
demonstrating The republican party they would
adjourn about the middle Of July. We there
81 sre, hot shn. H., -
plishing that task the adjournment will be
indefinitely postponed. The fact OF the matter
is number of the republicans in that
body are very anxious to hedge and
work the party back rs near to President
Jobnson's position a. possible, in hopes
Of going through another canvass under
the plea of being in perfect accord with the
Executive. But II there was any hope of their
accomplishing that result when the caucus
adjourned on Friday that hope must have
vanished after the malignant demonstrations
of Thad Stevens in the House on Saturday.
His invectivc against the Executive and the
Secretary Of the Treasury in regard to the
appointments to Office is conclusive that the
moderate republicans in the Senate cannot
bridge over the breach between the Executive
and Congress. These facts make the immediate
reorganization Of the Cabinet an imperative
necessity on the part Of Mr. johnson. /, Is his
first duty; without II the radicals may deceive
the people again by pointing to the acts Of his
constitutional advisers as proof that they are
in perfect accord. The developments of this
caucus, and the proceedings in the House on
Saturday, bring tie matter down 10 this dilemma
on the part of tho President. If he desires that
his administration shall 60 down to history as
the second edition of Tyler's, all that he has
to do is to retain his present Cabinet; but
n he is anxious that IL shall be successful and
be ranked In the future with that OF Jackson,
then ho must remodel bis Cabinet and call
around him military and naval heroes and thus
secure the cooperation Of the live men Of the