The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-06-02
President johnson, the Radicals, and
New Democratic Movement.
From the .MefrOgo!itGn Record.

on the part of tue Radicals with the course of
the President, and they are inclined 10 treat
his policy with distrust, notwithstanding his
startling proclamation against Jefferson Davis,
and his reiterated denunciations of "traltors'
and s'treason" He is a Southern man still,
and that in itself is crime that they can hard
ly forgive, but to which they would extend their
federation if, like the late President, he would
fall into their schemes and designs. Mr.. John
son, however, it appears, is not exactly that
kind of man. He is neither plastic, nor due
tile, nor malleable. He cannot be shaped TO
their fashion. He has a peculiar bent, and
that bent don't suit them He is too fond OF
referring TO anteecdents that sound unpleasant
in their ears, particularly when they bring to
mind that those antecedents are nearly all Dem
oeratic in their character.
But their are other reasons why President
Johnson should fall into disfavor with the Rad
icals He has ignored some Of their pets, and,
it is said, manifests decided leaning towards a
liberal policy. In addition to this, we are told
that he intends making some changes Ill his Cab
met, and that those who are to be removed
eyili De replaced by moderate and conservative
men, Then there are vague misgiyiag5 that be
proposes to 80 shape his policy as to bring the
whole Democratic Party, what Is oaliod tho
Democratic Party, of the country, 10 his sup
port at the next Presidential election. At pres
ent he is, SO TO speak, merely an accidental Pres
ident the next time he will be an elected enc,
If it be in his power to secure the required ma
iority. But how is that majority to be obtain
ed VIII it be through the support Of the Rad
ieals? He is too shrewd politician not to see
that the Abolition, or Republican, party is broken
m. demoralized, d;sorganized that their tri-
nmph has been their ruin. He knows that,
desnite their success in the present war, their
official corruption, which has never been equall-
Cd by any party, has made them obnoxious to
the 1eonie and he knows also that with their
helm he never can hope to restore perfect peace
to the country. No man, we believe, SO fully
understands the position IN which he is placed,
and we trust he will have the courage and the
resolution to boldly face the difficulties OF that
position, and overcome them by breaking OIL
with the Republican Party whenever ne inds
himself sufficiently secure to adopt Such q
course.
1t is rumored that it is the Intention of the
President to reorganize the Democratic Party,
and in this State, movement we understand,
intended to be cooperative one, Is IN serious
contemplation. What is left of the principles
of the party is to be resuscitatcd, and all the
conservative elements that are at present float
ing about without any definite aim or purpose
are to be gathered up and moulded into a great
organization. We presume that the moderate
Republicans will be accepted, and we have no
doubt that the platform, if there be platform,
will be one of the most curious specimens or
political mosaics that has ever been presented
for the consideration Of our voting population.
We shall not pretend to say what shall be It's
design or pattern, but We have an idea that i
will be feariuly and wonderfully made. That
such an organization can be ''gct up" we have
no doubt, and as Tie support Of the South will
be necessary for It's success, we are of the opin-
ion that it will hold Out what it will consider
favorable terms TO the Southern voters.
Now, the question arises, IS any other kind
of party possible at the present TINE? COa!l
any party with sharply defined principles, with
q strictly Democratic platform, such rs used 30
be presented to the people years ago, be expect
ed to obtain popular support We doubt ii
such a platform would even be tolerated, not TO
speak Of its being acceptable. Under these
circumstances, the great object Of all true friends
Of the South should be to sustain, without re-
gard to former party predictions, that organ-
cation which comes nearest to the old Demo
cratic standard of principles, and which boldly
declares itself in opposition to the radical poll
icy of confscation and in favor u I. restoration
cf ali the Southern States to their rights under
the Constitution
If such platform should be agreed to by
Mr.. johnson and his advisers, his election might
be regarded as among the certainties Of the fu-
ture One thing be must DO, he must depend
upon some ether support than that wnlck :Ae
Radicals can give him, and the sooner he gets
rid Of them the better for his future prospects.
That the Aboltionists are becoming dissatisfied
is favorable sign, and the report that he in--
tends to change his Cabinet, removing the Rad
ical members for Conservative men, is an in
dcation, that he is expected to take such
step.
As to the Southern people themselves their
first object must be 10 get hold IF their oDn
State and municipal Governments, ana, through
the power thus Obtaiaed, 10 ererclse a coatroH-
ing influence on political parties in the North
Efforts will, Of course, be made to prevent the
return to power Of the Southern Democracy;
and all the elements of opposition will be COM
bined together in the attempt to deprive them
of their political rights; but the success Of these
efforts will have to depend on the support which
they receive from Washington, and if President
johnson is really and sincerely desirous of set
ting aside the Republican party he viii give
them ''the cold shoulder" and decline to support
them in their infamous warfare upon the South
ern people. Whatever course be may decide
upon, looking to the overthrow of the Radicals,
there is little time TO lose. He must fully open
up the South to trade and commerce, he must
withdraw all restrictions upon their politics and
political rights as we'll as upon the business and
business interests of the South.
One More Step to a Perfected Union.
We are unqualfcdIy rejoiced that we were
able yesterday to lay before our readers the proc
Iamaton Of President Johnson which raises the