The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-04-20


plan for the truest, best and only reconstruc
tion OF the South and restoration OF the Union.
viii not both North and South accept it2
The Reconstruction of the Cabinet the
First Duty of the President.
From the Herald.
President johnson must be convinced by this
time that those members OF his Cabinet who are
opposing his restoration policy have not sufi-
cient respect for their own dignity nor regard
for his position to throw up their portfolios. 1t
must also be quite evident to him that they are
retaining then positions for the express purpose
OF assisting the radicals in Congress in their
efforts to defeat the measures of his administra
ton. Whether this IS their intention or not,
such is plainly the practical effect OF their
course. The tact that they are known to. be
using the patronage OF their several departments
TO strene hen the radicals and the President at
the same time retaining them in his Cabinet,
coniuses the minds OF the people. 1t creates
doubt and hesitancy in regard to the objects of
his administration.
This confusion is precisely what the radicals
desire; for with it they are able TO discourage
the conservative Republicans and dshearten
them in their efforts to sustain the Presidents
restoration policy. They imagine that all that
is necessary for their complete success is to
tmue The present regime until alter the next
Congressional election, when they believe that
they will have everything their own way. THIS
shows very plainly that the greatest danger
istraton is the intriguing against him by his
own constitutional advisers. II has already
increased the strength OF the radicals IN Con-
gress and given them so large a majority that
the President is unable TO carry through any Of
his measures.
AS long as such men as Stanton, Harlan, and
Speed are permitted to remain IN their present
positions, just so long will they use the intlu-
ence of their departments against the EXecu-
tive, and Tor the express purpose of building up
the radicals This fact of itselt proves the ne
cesslty OF an immediate change, and their
prompt removal by the President. This action
should Re taken by Mr.. Johnson without delay
before they succeed in strengthening the radical
politicians with the people, There Is no doubt
that the great mass OF the people approve Mr.
Johnson's restoration policy, and will sustain
the measures of his administration. But this
does not appear to have any weight with the
present Congress- and will, therefore, be with
out avail to the President until another Con-
gress is elected and takes its seat in the national
legislative nails.
To postpone re construction until then will be
q serious calamity to the country. It will in.
crease our difficulties and lead US to dangerous
complications both at home and abroad. But
whatever is accomplished sooner than that will
have TO be done through the present Congress-
1t Is with them that he is now Obliged to DEAL
1t is essential TOR his own sake and that of the
country that he should have party there strong
enough to check the radical majority, and, if
possible, control it. This he could have had to-
day were it not for the intrigHes of the radicals
in his own Cabinet. These spies in his camp
must be removed. Their opposition to the mea-
sures of his administration has already become
a too serious question for the President to longer
hesitate or trItle with them. .
We are aware OF and can appreciate the deli
cacy which man like Mr. johnson would have
in reference to the removal of those men from
office who were associated with his lamented
predecessor, but he has by his forbearance, even
in the face of provocations, already allowed this
to control his actions too long for his own good.
Aside from that, there is too much at stake for
him to allow feelings of delicacy to control his
action. He has tried the radicals long enough
by letting them have their own way and the
support of several OF the most important depart
ments of the Government. Now let HIM
try and see what virtue there is IN
harmonious administration. 1t is certain
that every day that he retains the radical
dlsorganlzers in his Cabinet he loses strength in
the present Congress, and the revolutionary
party in that body becomes more powerful and
defiant. In view of these facts ii is essentially
necessary that the President should act at once
in this matter. It has reached point where
reconstruction of his Cabinet becomes a neces-
sity. He has everything to gain and nothing to
lose by prompt action. Let him, then, boldly
assume the responsibility, and select from the
ranks of the conservative Republicans consttu-
tional advisers to take the place of every radical
disorganiZer now in his Cabinet, and he will
find that it will work like magic on the politici-
ans in and out of Congress. 1t will show to
them that he is in earnest, reassure the public,
and encourage the friends of his administration
everywhere.