New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-29
"uY POLICY RKyIKwED.


On taking the Executive chair Mr.. Johnson began
to shadow forth policy, which II is interesting to
note step BY step Of its development. His policy has
not been without Interruptions and spasmodIc Somer
saults and gyratons-but such, as it is, 1t remains
the nondescript policy known by the pane Of the
President.
First: The President laid down the principle that
State in the Union is always in the Union whether 1t
rebels or not manifest absurdity according to the
Executive Interpretation Else, it was gross wrong
to- fight for the purpose of bringing back States that
were already in the Union, aud entitled to all It's
rights and privileges. Else why were not Gen. sher-
mans and Johnston's terms of peace and surrender
promptly accepted and ratified by the Government,
with Mr. johnson at its head Is not manifest that
the President has been aborng for year to do what
Gen. Sherman, in accordance with Mr.. Andrew
Johnson's protested principles, proposed to do in
month"; if the people would only permit it
Second: Acting on tho principle that the States
were alcavs in the Union, and entitled to all their
rights ard privileges under the Constitution, the
President proceeded treat them conquered terrific
RES, imposing on them military garrisons and pro-
yisiOnal governors.
Third Still acting on the principle of aforesaid,
the President orders conventions of State representa-
tives to remodel constitutions; prescribing what
amendments shall be passed. and insisting III seVeral
instances that the conventions or Legislatures snail
undo their work plain case OF dictation, surely,
if States are never out of the Union and sovereign
when in
Fourth: Proceeding in the development of this doc
trne the President declares bis intention to "recon-
"a fha aaveYai States though IL
is plain according to the Johnsonan doctrines, that
States never out of the Union cannot be restored.
Fifth: Advancing steadily to the rear of his theories
the President recommends the adoption OF an amend
ment basing representation on white populaton-the
same in effect and substance as the one put forth by
Congress- which the President now repudates and de-
nounces At the same time the President writes to
Gov Sharkey that " restoration" will be subject TO
the will of Congress" which the President with
strenuous consistency violently assailS aud en-
deavors to overawe and oyerrule
Sirfh Still moving on steadily by somersaults, the
President orans that elections shall be held whereby
leading traitors sent to the door OF Congress TO
demand admission the President backing them loudly
with abuse of the leaders Of the House and Senate
Notwithstanding all this, the President declared that
'traitors ct ould he punished and treason made
odious."
Sererth Pressing on indomitaby the President
continues the operation Of the pardon mandatory,
whereby A. oels are reconstructed into voters A
million of unfrauchised loyalistS receive no pardon
for the color of their skim though the President once
protested to be their Moses" ard claims the right
to manufacture net only voters by the thousand but
Judges Legislators and governors by the score.
Eighth The States being ai,soys in the Union, the
President declares that such out Of 1t are not
vet restored to peace At the same time, in virtue
of his early Mosaic character, the President recog
nizss the right of an armed Rebel militia to disarm
loyal blacks, whonce result few murders not
worth mentioning.
Ninth The States in Rebellion having been recon
structed primed with legislatures and capped with
governors all parloned for the purpose, the Pres-
dent declares that they in the Union and en-
titled to admission TO Congress, wbstever Congress
may say as to any right in the premises (see Presl'
dents confession to Gov. Sharkey) to control the
work of restoration
Tenth: Pending all these acts, the President recog-
naing tho binding forco'of euactments of Congress
proceed, to appoint Rebels oofce in plain and d.
rec. violation of suchenactments, regarding special
country as entirely Supererogatcry.
Elerenh: Texas being, according to Gen. Sheridan.
place comparable only to the lower regions, and,
according to Gen. Custer unsafe for Northern men,
and reasonable all over the President thinks that in
virtue of the doctrine OF State Sovereignty it ought to
be recognized and admitted Notwithstanding that 1t
il impossible, under the condition Of things in that
State TO bring to fair trial hundreds Of Rebels indicted
for capital crimes against Northern men and Union
lists while blacks are imprisoned for many years for
trivial otfenses. Nevertheless. the President pro-
claims peace.
TteeItth: Almost at the same time the President
writes t gram directing the military to take part
with the Rebels while the latter were engaged in
frighthfu massacre of undoubted loyalstswhite and
black-a massacre which Gen. Sheridan say3 was
contriyed BIZ Rebels but which Mr.. johnson and his
supporters avow was altogether duo to illegal Con-
yentou, which, nevertheless, was held in pursuance
of United ties authority, amsnating from Gen.
Banks and ,ident Lincoln. The President, like
wise having restored sovereign State (al,cays in the
Union) put out his hand 70 destroy it by interfering
TO depose its wfully-eleeted Governor.
Thirteenth: The Supreme Court being tho chief
tribunal of tho LAND before which questions involving
tho legality of rival bodies claiming to rule in State
must, of course be tried, the President recognizes
the verdict of petty court sovereign pretext for
telegram aud a rio' tho FIRST the most unfortunate
that could come from President, and the second thai
most atrocious and crmna. that could ever assal IA
innocent people Al this the President did IN respect
70 A " sovereign State. whose Governor he oaor-
turned
Fourteenth. Early believing that Tennessee o1ght
&c be admitted a. soon possible into the Union,