Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-04-12


results of the war are secured. With
whom, then will the President trust him
self with his friends or his foes 2 How
ever he may differ with those friends,
can the difference bc really so radical as
II is with his opponents We have no
wish to conceal that difference The
various views aud measures which com
pose what is called the Presidents pol
icy are undoubtedly held and proposed
by him in perfect good faith. They are
Inspired by the conviction that the great
object to be attained is security with
Cancellation, and the preservation o.
our constitutional system. In this con-
viCuOn all patriotic men will agree
But upon the question what is security,
and VIII Z is or is not constitutional
there are wide differences.
When the President assumes that by
formal acceptance of the terms he has
imposed the Union is really restored
when he refuses to hear Of further
delays or conditions; when he opposes
any constitutional amendments, or any
serious national legislation whatever
until the late rebel States are represent
ed in Congress when he thinks that
the present remedies of law are sufIi-
Cient for whatever friction or wrong
there may be In States so long distem-
pered, or, if they are inadequate, that
they should not be strengthened until
those States have voice in Congress-
he differs from the vast body of the
Union party, and apparently begs the
vFlW lsf1n Fn.,Va sg .rhf f,l
what conditions those States shall have
voice
1t is not enough that he declares him
self the defender of the Constitution
against those whom he calls its new as
sailants. 1t is not enough that he de-
Clares his adherence of centraliza.
ton. 1t is not enough that he declares
that he stands by the Union, and that
these who do not agree in every point
of his policy are enemies of the Union.
That question still remains. The Pres
ident is unquestionably pure of purpose,
and very determined. He may be clear
in Comprehending and skillful in inter
preting the Constitution. He has Ger
tainly proved his fidelity to the Union.
But the equal integrity, and ability, and
devotion, and trmness Of Congress can
not be questioned. President Johnson
must see that the Union party can not
accept the indiscriminate support Of all
his views and measures as the test of
constitutional fidelity and he makes a
profound mistake if he regards the sit
uation as struggle between himself
and Mr.. Thaddeus Stevens. When he
sees those who have as little respect for
Mr. Stevens wisdom as he has himself
gravely questioning his course, it is a
fatal delusiOn If he sees only Mr. Ste
veuS
The question is simple Is it possible
for the President to believe that the
party whose last general and official
manifesto was the Chicago Platform Of
1854 is sincerely the Union party of this
country? Would he trust to that Con-
veuton to settle the questions OF to-day
more than of two years ago? If the
alternative is presented to him of sur
rendering to that party, or of attempt
ing to form a party composed Of the
COpperheads, the late rebels, and q few
recruits from the Union line, or of con-
tlnuing 10 act with those who have
fought with him the good fight but who
now, in some important points differ
with his Judgment, we shall believe, un-
til belief is impossible, that he still
holds to his words of the 9Th of Feb.
ruary, that he might differ with some
of hts friends, and he should feel wholly
at liberty SO to differ, and to state the
grounds Of his contrary belief or
opinion; but he considered himself
Identified with the great Union party,
aud had no desire or intention OF being
found outside He intentcd to exercise
his own judgment, but was ready to
yield it when he found it was not sus-
tanned by the judgment Of the people. "