Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-09-06
The True Policy.

Nnc
We learn from telegram of recent
date, that in an interview with the New
Hampshire delegation, the President said
in reference to the Philadelphia G convention
and his future policy:
eve have now policy and principles recoS-
nized and laid down by the most intelligent: able
and patriotic body of men convened since toe days
of the Declaration of Independence: refognl-
ton Of this policy and these principles would De
required of all those who receive office and pat
ronage from the Government 1t was duty the
administration owed to itself, that strength and
power should be given TO those who MAINTAIN th9
PRINCIPLES declared by that great body of NATIONAL
men. who met this week in convention III Phlladel-
phia."
We are much gratitied to see this public
announcement of the intentions of the pol
icy of Mr. Johnson. The conflict between
him and his co-adjutors, who desire to pre-
serve the form, at least, of constitutional
government and the hereditary rights OF
Anglo-American freemen, and their Radical
Red Republican adversaries, is no idle con-
test 1t is indeed war to the knife, and
the knife to the handle. On the part of the
Radicals it is war in which it is difficult to
say whether the leaders are actuated more
by desire for power, lust for gain or crav-
ing revenge. Like the craven wretches who
follow victorious columns without the cour-
age to meet the dangers of the fight, their
only ambition is to pillage the dead bodies
of those whom they were afraid to meet
while yet alive.
In ordinary times and under ordinary
circumstances, in government where the
will of the people is recognised as of para
mount Importance in shaping the form and
debating the substance of the laws of the
country, we hold that official interference
or official dictation in any form is utterly
indefensible-but we live in anomalous
times The scenes by which We are now
surrounded, and amid which we have for the
last few years lived, were not in the con-
temptation of the trainers OF the Constitu-
ton or of the instrument which they be-
queathed for our guidance and direction.
The spectacle now presented to us, is one
which is to be much deplored by every
good man. Though not contemplated or
provided for by the Constitution, it is one
not entirely new in the history of other coun-
tries. The Legislature and the executive
departments are arrayed in bitter, relentless
opposition and hostility.
The Congress representing not even a
moiety of the people of the country, has
arrogated to itself the whole and sole con-
troll of the executive and judicial, as we'll
as the Legislative power, and this in utter
defiance of the plsinest possible provision
of the Constitution itself. The issueis now
before the country, and must soon be deci-
ded. 1t is now for the people to declare
whether they prefer the old Constitution
with all the checks and balances it provides
for each department, or whether they pre-
fer to give to Rump Congress power to
frame in effect new government. The
Radicals under the falsely assumed guise
and name of the United States Congress,
claim that they represent the form and true
principles of the government of Washing
ton, of Hamilton, of Adams and of Jefferson.
To meet this fictitious pretence, it plainly
becomes the duty of the Chief Executive
whose powers are thus sought to be destroy
va w oAc" w VIC POOtIS IuS 1blSlly, uSur-
patton, tyranny and dangerous conse-
quences-for that the pretence is as false as
dangerous, no honest right minded man
will deny. That house divided against
itself can not stand, Holy Writ informs US.
The patronage of Mr.. Johnson is as extern
sive as the country itself. In some sort,
every employee and subordinate is presum-
ed to reflect the views and opinions of his
chief. 1t becomesapparent then, unless Mr..
johnson selects his subordinates from that
class OF men who support and endorse his
policy, that his contest with the Radicals
must be an unequal one It is absolutely
essential, where such momentous issues are
involved, that nothing should be left to
shance. Every approach should be guard
ed. AS in the darkest days of the Reyolu-
ton, Washington himself ordered none
but Americans to be put on guard, SO now
ought none but true men be allowed to
share in the administration of the govern
ment, or to hold any position by which