The Portland daily press., 1865-08-26
PRESIDENT JoHNsoN,s POLICY

We have always supposed that the Pres-
dents policy in relation to the reconstruction
of the Union is, in a great degree, expert
mental. Never for single moment have we
believed that President johnson would con-
sent to any permanent arrangement which
would at all interfere with the power Of Com
gress, or give the people of the rebel States the
irreversible privilege OF placing in either house
of Congress men who are still rebels at heart
and full of the spirit of secession. No man
knows better than the President how danger
GUS such an element would be there
And the loyal people Of this country may safe
ly rely, not only on his patriotism and love of
the Union, but also on his prudence, foresight
and wisdom. He knows too well the great
value of the Union to the civilized world, and
the sacrifices of blood and treasure which have
been made to uphold it, TO adopt any perlna-
manent policy which might possibly lead to
another rebellion. s,sssTs.,lt Il. 81 II
In the course he has thus far pursued. he has
shown kind and forgiving spirit to the peo-
pie of the South, and If they donot properly APP
preciate such lenity the worse it will be
for them. They are emphatically conquered
people so far as military power goes. and it will
be well for them if they do not SO abuse the
privileges which have been granted to them as
to again bring themselves within the military
grasp" If they are wise they will meet the
President in the same spirit he has shown to
them. His eye is upon them watching all their
movements and scanning their motives so far
as mortal eye can sean theIn.o D N0SSfsa5
We have been led to the above remarks by
reading speech, made by Gen. Schenck, in
Ohio, not long since. This Generals opinions
fully bear us out in the belief we have enter
tertained OF the Presidents policy. He says
he had an interview with the President lust
before he left Washington for the special ptir-
pose of obtaining Information as to the restor-
alton Of the Union. Knowing the Presidents
franlness of character, his devotion to his
country, and his energy and determination to
do what is right, he was anxious to learn his
views on this great question. Gen. Schenck
says:
In that interview | expressed TO him the
doubs aad jealousy that existed in the minds
of the people of the country and especially in
the minds OF the people of Ohio-loubts
whether, under the policy he had adopted, we
were not going too FAST in bringing back by I'M
tried process these rebel States into full COM
munion with those that had never left the
Union fold. told him that that doubt might
perhaps resi- on understanding as to the
extent 10 Wmcn he proposed to carry that poll
". sall, AID think you viii Justify me in
having sald SO, that If his purpose was to es-
taDnsn temporary governments exOari7nenfal
In tnelr nature, by the appointments. rf tbese
provisional officers, in order to tast tIer IL
position 70 go ahead and come haclr in e,ood
faith and with the full purpose Of ab ,Ss So ~.
their Obligations to the national ooToSr,ss ~
and it, in addition that he PROMISES ~
enough of the military power stationed i, N NJ:
ferent parts of the late rebellious States 70 vi III
peryise their conduct, and reach forward ~
strong hand, ii necessary, TO keep them in tlo
right way, we would be satisfied with such CIV.
periments. And, moreover, said we wonId
be better satisfied still five should definitely
understand that it was no purpose of the Elk.
ecutiye to torestail the action OF Congress, the
representatives of the people, but that when
they should assemble and determine whether,
in addition to having their local executive priv
lege in the States, these people were ready to
return to full communion with the govern
msnt, by being represented in the counsels Of
the nation. - -,-A
am glad to be able to say that the assur-
ailcs naa from the President justifies me in
sayln9 that, although this was the policy he
4eahe W pursue, II was only an experiment
nc saiu thas ne had no purpose Of interfering
WIN Tue actlon OF Congress, the experiments