The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-10-09

original rights of equality, and the people all
free to mingle with each other and work to-
gether as equals in rights and in duties, the
conservative men of the country owe thanks
to President johnson. In spite of clamor
and denunciation and threatenings from men
who have been accustomed to be needed by
the government and to find themselves able
to execute their menaces of political VEN
geance, the president announced and has ad-
hered to policy for restoration which propo-
ses to bring the southern states as speedily as
possible into position In their old places, and
then test all remaining questions in the for
UNI where each naturally belongs-auestiops
of state policy by the states, and of gem
eral policy by the constituted authorities of
the general government, with ell the states
represented,
This is the practical question Of the day; and
all collateral questions must give way to the par
amount exigency of restoring the Union to its
recent furctions. Democrats, and conservatives,
and republicans who share these opinions, may
see errors OF administration, and imagine more
many things done which they wish had been left
undone, and many things left undone which they
think necessary, and fancy they would do if in
authority, with the powers welded by President
johnson. But these are not times TO waste
strength by division, or throw away chances for
success in the supreme effort to redeem the gov
eminent, by embarrassing the leaders, on whose
courage and sincerity we rely with opposition
on matters secondary in Importance to this most
vital question of all. Above all, should the peo-
pie of the southern states give credit TO the sim
cerity which has been manifested by so much
persistent courage, and do their part to aid and
uphold his policy The covert rancOr with
which he is pursued by the chiefs of the adverse
faction, is pregnant with testimony of the spirit
of revenge ready to break out upon him, for the
steadiness of his rejection of their projects for
dot. nE thn
people The Antj-SlareTy Standard, which is an
oracle of high authority with these people, even
threatens him with impeachment by the next
congress, in which they believe they have a sufi-
cient majority ,inow that it is mutated body
with one-third of its members excluded. The
threat we imagine to be futile one for if we
are not greatly deceived in the accounts we have
of the prevailing disposition of many members,
elected rs republicans TO the next congress, :here
will be found a considerable number who will re
volt from radical dctation, and support the pres
ident's views
There must be no apprehension that the presi-
dent will be inundated, or driven from his well
chosen course, by these or any other hostile
movements. He is one of the men who rise TO
renewed energy under the excitement of coutro-
versy; who, having adopted system Of policy
from conviction defend il and adhere TO II the
more sturdily and stubbornly that it Is assailed
by violent and unreasonable partisanship. Rad
icals will make no Roadway by threatening An
drew johnson.
We have, moreover, the fullest faith, derived
from intelligence of the conversations of Presi-
dent johnson with visitors from the south
friend and foe alike, measured by the rule of past
controversies, but TO all in the same frankness
and of uniform tenor, that his disposition tow
ards the mass of the southern people is kindly
and liberal; that he has purpose TO Cypress
them, TO keep them in vassalage, or deprive them
of any of their rights citizens of the United
States; and is rcsOlute in his plans for bringing
them, soon as forms will permit, within the
protection of the laws Of their own states, and
the civil functions of the constitution of the Uni
ted States.
Believing this, we think we the promise Of
a restored Union, under the auspices Of Presidcnt
Johnson, instead ofthat protracied and degradt
ing vassalase with which radicalism mcnacc5
Us.