American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-05-09

of States at all, the invasion of the sa.
cred soil, the exercise of martial law ON
either side the line, the freeing of slaves
that sought the protection of our troops,
the employing of negro troops, and, above
all, the proclamation of universal eman-
cipation, were all things monstrous, pro-
digious, abominable, and unutterable. e.
For these were all measures for the de-
struction of the element of the oligarchy
which had held the control of the nation
for long years, and of which these blatant
believers were the menials and the para
sites, watching the couutenances of their
masters, doing their dirty work, and re-
warded by the broken meat Of their ta-
bes.
But time goes on. This very poisonous
breath of treason filed the soul of the
assassin with the spirit of murder. The
great citizen, the daily beauty of whose
life made more ugly all that hated him,
fell at the moment of victory Another
and different man reigns in his stead.
In course of time it gradually comes to
light, that the new President inelines to
reinstate the rebels, red handed from the
fight and breathing hatred and revenge
against the nation they had failed to des.
troy, in the fulness. of their political
rights His pardons shower down on tie
rebel region like the early md the latter
rain. He claims that no laws should be
made touching their political status as
long as they are unrepresented in Cong
ress. He vetoes the bill for providing
effectual protection for the emancipated
blacks until they are able to defend
themselves, or the whitespare willing to
protect them. He attempts to crush an
other endeavor to include the negroes in
a general recognition of the equal civil
rights of all men, of all colors, within
the United States, an attempt happily de-
feated by the response Of Congress to the
emphatic voice of the people. The i'm
mense weight Of his official influence is
thrown into the scale of rebel hopes lie
celebrates the birthday of the Father of
his Country by fierce and coarse invec.
tive against members of coordinate
branches of the Government for words
and acts said and done in their places,
and charges them with designs of trea-
son, and even of assassination All along
this Period of presidential development
marvellous change stole over the right
eous souls of the former sorrowers for
the lost liberties of their country There
is no such thing now as presidential
usurpation. 1t was only when the des-
potic powers which war creates we're used
for the destruction of the rebels that they
were of the devil. Now that these pow
ers are employed, when the war is over,
for the comfort and restoration to power
of those rebels, they are the palladium of
our liberties newly come down from heav-
en-. And that these wholesome preroga,
tives may have no let or hindrance in
their sway, it is urged seriously upon the
President to drive Congress out of doors
and set up for himself, with the aid ofthe
elect rebels ready to come up to his help
against tht mighty
1t is lucky that these political philoso.
pliers are thus open-mouthed in magnify
ing the presidential office, as its incum-
bent holds the opinion, honestly we will
not question, that he is clothed with the
absolute power of debating the terms on
which the States lately'in rebellion shall
be restored to their rights in the national
councils. 1t is we'll to know how far
treason can propose to go, as we have no
fear of the Presidents listening to its
frantic outcries. Congress has, thus lar,
with moderation and dignity, vindicated
the rights which the President himself,
in his message, and repeatedly since, has
declared to inhere in it. 1t may be
trusted to continue unto the end. The
people sustained Mr. Lincoln in his nee
essary exercise of the extraordinary pow
ers given him by the G constitution be.
cause they were necessary. We may be
sure that they will not sustain Mr.. john
son in the exertion of those powers now
that the exigency requiring them is past.
The Nation.
Gan ru frpur II "a sfatad tb.t nth