The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-12-31
"a Little Very Plain Talk"

from the Anti.Slavery Standard, Dec. 20.
Every anti-slavery man remembers
what a dead lock to all progress the
Supreme Court of the United States has
been in times past. To-day that same
Court stands the same immovable OH
stacle in our path. 1t is understood
that five judges out of the nine sup
port the President. 1t is said that
they decided year ago, that the
.'irOn-clad oath" was unconstitutional,
and all that the Chief Justice could do
was to delay the formal announcement
of the decision. One of those Judges.
appointed by Lincoln, has joined the en-
| envy. This state of things IS an insur-
mountable barrier to measures which
are indispensable to any safe and per-
manent reconstruction. But all men
are mortal Two of these Judges are
old, one other infirm in health. 1t is
very probable that Mr.. Johnson may,
within two years, have the appointment
of two Judges, perhaps more. Ofcourse,
his nominations are subject to the
Senate's approval; but We all know he
may select men of fair repute but we'd
ded to his policy, whom it would be i'm
possible to prevent the Senate from con-
! tirming.
Such is one of the dangers of leaving
Rebel ut the head of the Government
for two years more. Wemay, and prob
ably shall, have the Supreme Court re-
| iuforced with fresh, young blood, TO last
! another quarter of century, and bc
always tie refuge Of abuses and the foe
of progress. If his crimes have given
| a. ..rnn,,ls 60 InhnSnn
and avert this momentous danger,
il is fool-hardy, it is madness, TO
leave the criminal untouched and run
ALI these risks. There is yet another
consideration urging us in the same di-
rection. The readiest, quickest waysto
secure u true reconstruction seems to bc
:. this, for the first step at least, brush
away these phantOms, the pretended
State Governments, and set up Terrific
rial Governments in each of the lately
Rebel States.
There seems some evidence that Con-
yrcsS intends to take this course. But
/ suppose the Radical members achieve
| this result, what ncXt' Why, the NOM
ination of ali Territorial officers belongs
to the President. He can SD shape his
nominations as to keep those govern
meHts wholly subservient to his policy.
We see, therefore, that it is impossible
to make one step in the direction Of
thorough and permanent reconstruc-
ton while johnson remains i'll Of
fee. We have the legal right to re-
move him; the country, indignant and
disgusted, demands it; the necessity of
the situation requires it. Delay is dan
gcrous, aud may be fatal. Who dares
TO trust such man as Andrew Johnson
with the power thus to baulk the plans
of the conqucror-with the power beside
so to complicatc our domestic with
angry foreign questions as TO postpone
any settlement for dozen years
We regard this question of impeach-
mcnt as being in fact the decision of the
question whether the Republican part y
shall succeed III the next Presidential
election. There is very little chance of
its doing SO unless it removes Johnson
out of its path. Give him another two
years, and il will he almost a miracle, il
ever he or his State Secretary are wit
less enough 10 allow themselves to be
defeated. What their success means
| WENDELL PIIlLLIPS.