North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-07-19

A Washington correspondent of the Ny.
Neps makes the follow ing observations On
the present policy of the President, by which
it would seem that O thorough radical change
in the form and administration of the affairs
the government has been decided upon.
WASHINGTON, July Is, 1865.
The editorial articles which have appeared
in the Ne1os during the last three or four
days, in relation to the alleged change in the
form of the Government, and the substitu
tion of military authority for the ordinary
forms Of judicial procedure, have attracted
great attention here, and particularly the at.
tention OF the members o. the AdDinistra-
ton. The Administration of President
johnson does not expect to avoid criticism,
and even censnrs, even from the organs Of
the Republican party, and does expect both
criticism and censure, for some Of its acts,
and on account of some features of its policy,
from the fearless ard independent organs Of
the Democratic party. do not think, from
what have been abe to learn, that the
Administration is disposed to resent such
criticism, provided it be kept within bounds,
and be couche6 in temperate and respectful
language.
The suppress ion of the Richmond Whig,
indeed, is an example of what the Admins
tration has power to do. either in the South
or in the North. The minute and systemat
&c arrangement of the five grand Military
Divisions. and the eighteen Military Depart
ments into which the whole territory of the
United States is now divided, is simply an
indication of the purpose uf the Administra-
ton to make its power felt, acknowledged,
and respected, in all parts of the country
alike. am satisfied tha, il the objectiona-
ble article in the Richmon Wing, or an arti-
Gle couched in smilar language, had appear.
ed in any New York or Philadelphia paper,
either the paper itself would have been sup
pressed, or the principal editor arrested an
confined in Fort Lafayette, beyond the reach
Of the hsbeas corpus.
The existing state of affairs in relation to
Ford's Theatre is, perhaps the strongest
illustration that could be afforded Of the faci
that the form If the Government has been
CT anged in some particulars. The building
was cl'red last Monday by order of the w ar
Department Mr.. Fnrd thereupon applied to
The Secretary Of War, and earnestly request.
ed that the order might be rescinded, and
that he miSh be allowed TO reopen the
building and put 1t to its most Legitimate
use. After the matter had been discussed :
a meeting Of the Cabinet, Mr. Ford again
made his request tn the Secretary. He is
nrw informed, courteously, but firmly, that
he will not be permitted to open bis theatre
at ALL TOR ever again 10 use il for dramatic
purposes. The Government does no, pro-
pnse to cnufScaie the property, nor have
he purchase Of the same One OF The de-
par,ments of the G"ysrnment has simply
virtually taken possession Of the property,
and deprive Mr.. Ford of the uses and reve-
nnes of it precisely as any ether species Of
properly might be seized, and the owner
thereof deprived "f the lucrative use of the
same, NJ Justification of the act has been
attempted. 1t was done by military author
,ty, hut without military necessity. Mr..
Stanton probably intends that Congress shall
be asked to make an appropriation to pur-
chase the property, and reimburse Mr.. Ford
for the loss that he is now sustaining through
the order OF the Government. Certainly, if
something Of that kind is not done, Mr..
Ford stands fair chance to be ruined. In
the mean time, those people here who think
that the theatre ought to be kept closed out
of respect to the memory of the late Presi.
dent. are gratifying their wishes at Mr..
Furd's expenss-and an enormously heavy
expense it il, too-without thought of re-
embnrsing him.