Year: 1866

board.


The Radicals in Conxress-I.ast Chance for


the Preservation Of the Republican Party.
We believe that all sensible men in the
republican ranks are pretty thoroughly con-


yinced by this time that the signs of the times
portend no good to their party, and most of
them find no difficulty in tracing effect to cause.
When the Thirty-ninth Congress opened it's
session on the first Monday in December last
the people Of the country at large-North and
South, East and West-ielt that the hour of
compensation for the evils OF four years. war
had at last arrived, and that 10 q 6rmer aud
healthier bond of Union than had previously
existence, and was about to enter on career
Of greatness and prosperity unparalleled in
history. Everything seemed suspicious. Such


ofthe recently rebellious States as had held con-
ventions had smendcd their constitutions so as
to recognize the emancipation proclamation,
disavow the principle of secession and
repudiate all responsibility for the rebel
debt, whether State or Confederate. Moth


Ing more could have been reasonably de-


manded from a people who but few


months before were waging war for slavery
and State rights All evidence concurred in
showing that, however humiliated at their
defeat, the people Of the South were honestly
and conscientiously resolved to abide by the


arbitrament Of the sword, as they termed it


and to conduct themselves in future as
thoroughly loyal citizens Of the republic 1t
only remained for Congress to have abolished
as il should have done the very first day of its
session-the test oath, facetiously styled the
iron-clad," and to have admitted all who pre-
sented themselves duly accredited as Senators
and Representatives. We think we are justified


in saying that the country expected this to be
done and that 1t has great cause to regret that


it WAS not done. We think we may also assert
that large proportion, If not a majority, Of
republican Senators and Representatives were
individually in favor Of, and would gladly have
supported, that programme.


Unfortunately, however, it SO happened that
| the man who was charged with the bittcrest


malignity and most unrclenting hatred
| 70 the people Of the South was ct the
| same time the man who, by his great
| talenls as q political leader, possessed
controlling influence over Congress. OF
course we refer to Mr.. Stevens, Of Pennsyl-


vania. In a party caucus held before the
House was organized he laid down and en-


forced the adoption of his programme, the
spirit Of which was TO treat the Southern States


as 80 much conquered territory, entirely At the
mercy of the conquercr, and entitled to no
rights save such as Congress might see a. in
its sovereign discretion to extend to them.
That course was pursued in both houses.


There had been no attempt to organize the


conservative republicans or TO make any de-


termined resistance to this destructive policy.
That was sad mistake. President johnson
and Secretary Seward should not have yielded
the field without making every effort TO COM
bine the conservative element Of both parties
aud to make an obstinate stand against the
radicals. But no resistance was made; the
neld was abandoned without q contest, and
Joint committee was appointed, styled, as IL in
mockery the Committee on Reconstruction,
when It's sole and only object was to prevent


reconstruction. All the reports made oy ii to
Congress were designed 10 render impossible
the practical reunion Of the States, even going
so far as 10 require the late rebel States to
decree the Acknowledgement OF their own white
citizens who participated in the rebellion


meaning The whole white male adult populs.
tion--and TO cnfranchise, and thereby give


the political control OF their State governments


to, the negroes


In these wicked and unfortunately success


full efforts to frustrate and render barren the


achievements Of our army and navy the ses-


sion Of eight long months passed away, every


month adding TO the bitterness and discomfort


Of the South, and widening the breach between


the sections more than the continuance Of &C


tual war would have done. Within week Of


the adjournment the State Of Tennessee was


declared admitted. with Senators and Represen-
| .ativcs. some Of whom. Al least. had terribly