Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-09-20
RUTLAND HERALD.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER is, 1865.
JohusOnian Threats.

Threats o. another civil war are just
now being freely made by the Johnson
ties. The New York Times bristles
with them, ana even the President OF the
United States who so dearly loves peace,
and " has leit the constitution in the
hands the people all the way between
here an ST. Louis, threatens US that If
we do Nc. support his policy by our suf-
trages, an "internecine war" will be the
terrible result. He IS reported to have
said at Newark, Ohio, on Thursday
morning last, that "the tendency now is
to absorb all the power of the govern
ment in the legislative branch, and unless
the course Of Congress is arrested by your
SURFACES we shall have another civil
war. II will not be between the North
and South, but an internecine war.
These threats are the last card OF a set
Of distempered and played.out political
samesCers; chief among whom is the
President himself. Despairing OF lead
ing the people into their schemes by fair
means, they are trying to brighten them
into their support. The President as
serts as the foundation for his 'inter-
necina war" that Congress is trying to
absorb all the power Of the government.
The fact, as every intelligent man knows,
is Just the reverse. The President is the
one VINO IS trying to act the sponge.
Congress IS the law-makiDg branch Of
the government. To it legitimately be-
longeJ the settlement Of the subject Of
Reconstruction" To it legitimately
belongs the question Of the admission Of
Southern epresentatives-the time and
the terms. Yet the President has en-
deavored 10 usurp all power and authori-
ty over these subjects, and is wroth with
Congress and the people because they re-
-use to submit to his will. Under mis-
programme, all the powers of the govern
ment would be absorbed, not in the le-
gislative branch, but in Andrew John
son. The people are not ready for a
Dictator, even under the threat OF civil
war in case o. refusal.
The tour in which President Johnson
is thus threatening the people, was I'M
dertaken ostensibly to do honor to the
memory Of Douglas. While visiting the
tomb Of the departed statesman, it would
have been profitable to Mr.. Johnson to
have pondered these words, spoken by
Douglas during the Lecompton struggle,
and most appropriate to the present con-
dition Of affairs:
Neither the frowns Of power, nor the
influence Of patronage will change my
action, or drive me from my principles.
I prefer private life, preserving my own
self respect and manhood, to abieCt and
servile submission to Executive will. If
the alternative be private life or servile
obedience TO Executive will I am pre-
pared 20 retire. Official position has no
charms for me when deprived OF that
freedom Of thought and Of action which
becomes a gentleman and o Senator. l
do not recognize the right Of the Presi-
dent OF his Cabinet, no matter what my
respect NAV be for them, to tell me my
duty in the Senate chamber. | should
like to know what is the use OF Con-
cress, wha1 is the use Of Senates and
Houses of Representatives, when their
highest daty is to obey the Executive in
disregarG o. the wishes, rights and honor
other constituents? What despotism on
earth would De equal to this, if you es-
tablish the doctrine that the Executive
has a -igh. =, Command the votes, the
conscience, Tie Judgment Of the Senator's
and Representatives. instead OF their
constituents"