The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-07
President Johnson's Administrat ion-Its
Wonderful Growing Popularity.


President Johnson, in his great work Of resto
ration, is gaining golden opinions from all
sorts Of men," To be sure, there are grumb-
lers in the North and in the South, who say that
he is wrong In this thing, that thing and the
other-one set OF politicians declaring that his
programme in reference to negro suffrage is a
fatal mistake, and another set pronouncing his
amnesty restrictions equally wide of the mark;
but, Notwithstanding these grumblers, the
great body of the people Of both sections are
rapidly crystallizing around the administration.
They have great faith in Andrew Johnsons
capacities and qualifications for the work which
has fallen into his hands. His past active and
successful career as Southern democratic poll
tician of the old Jacksonian Union school, his
long and comprehensive services as Southern
statesman of that school, his consistent and
courageous course through all the trying or
deal of the rebellion, his intimate knowledge
Of the institutions, people, classes, parties and
politicians of the South, are among the great
advantages which he possesses for the task be-
fore him, and which he fully comprehends.
1t is, therefore, not surprising that in regard
to this important business Of the rehabilitation
Of the late insurgent States, fair minded men Of
all parties and all sections should be inclined
to award not only fair trial, but generous
support to the administration of candy John
son." the man Of the people in the fullest sense
Of the term. In this capacity he IL, Of all our
public men. regarded as the proper man to SUI
perintend the task of peace resulting from
Abraham Lincoln's successful war for the
Union. II is remarkable, in this con-
necti0n, that man whose leading
traits Of character were amiability
and charity should be our leader through
the war, and that man whose distinguishing
qualities are rigorous justice, energy and reso-
luton Of purpose should be charged with this
peaceable work of restoration. But while the
events of history have established the fitness
Of Lincoln for his position, we have seen
enough to recognize the peculiar qualities Of
johnson as equally well adapted for the r6le
assigned him.
The secession Of South Carolina, in Decem-
Der, 1860, inaugurated stupendous revolution.
The organization Of the revolutionary govern
ment of the so-called Confederate States, al
Montgomery, Alabama, was the Introductory
branch Of the programme, performed under
the administration of James Buchanan. Then
followed the first grand division Of the exercises
with the signal gun of Fort Sumter. This was
the war for the Union on one side and South
ern confederacy on the other. Under the admin
istration Of Abraham Lincoln the Union cause
prevailed, and the so-called Southern confede-
racy was torn to fragments, even to the dislodg-
ment and disappearance Of it's corner stone of
African slavery. This was the work Of ware
work of destruction Of material things, local
Institutions, constitutional excrescences, party
landmarks and moral and political IDEAS
From the wrecks and rubbish Of this concluded
branch Of the revolution Andrew johnson is
called to the task Of reorganization and resto-
ration. 1t Is the comedy which succeeds the
tragedy, or rather the putting of the house In
order again after the quenchlng Of destruc-
tive fire, which has left the shell Of the building
intact, but the inside sadly In mood Of repairs.
Thus President johnson goes to work, not
In tearing down their outer constitutional
walls, but In restoring the internal arrange
nents Of the rebel States In harmony
with the constitution. Slavery is destroyed,
md emancipation takes it's place; but
's to the political rights Of the liberated blacks,
he President leaves them to the several States
concerned, where these things constitutionally
belong. II the loyal white men of the South,
thus charged with this work Of restoration, will,
therefore, act wisely with reference to the
present crisis and the future, they may, by con-
ceding the principle of negro suffrage, lay the
for a reconstruction of the national
democratic party which may control the polid-
cal affairs of this country for century to come.
The whole question, to this extent now rests in
the hands Of Southern men, under the rules and
limitations prescribed by President johnson.
If they are wise they will seize their opportu-
nifty and turn 1t to good account
Meantime, If dozen or even half dozen
Of the leading rebels of the South were strung
Up on the same tree with as many of the lead
ng abolition radicals and disorganizers of the
North, 1t would be good thing for the pacif-
,ation Of both sections. At all events, perfect
harmony, North and South, will not be secured
until abolition disorganizers, as well as South
I'm traitors and 6rc-eaters, are completely ex-
,elled from our national party organizations.
70 this end the restoration policy of President
Johnson is directed, and hence his growing
popularity among the patriotic men of all sec
ions and parties. Let the responsible men Of
he South consider the advantages which they
hus command, and they may soon regain q
southern balance Of power in the Union, and
N solid and durable basis.
A SOUTHERN ADvENTuHER.-A few days ago
'ur Richmond correspondent referred to
rebel General Tochman, who has begun the
practice OF law in that city. This Tochman
'ame to this country from Germany or some
where and offered his services to this govern
nent Being refused, he went down to New