Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-10-19
The Presidents Mistake.

n AAO I IcSlOCAG NAl6tVAA0,
Those who have carefully noted tn
course If the administration, must be i'm
lpressed with the astonishing ignoranc
which Mr.. johnson exhibits of the peopl
whose Chief Magistrate he is, Tie entir
absence of logical argument, the isnorin,
of facts. the contemptuous disregard f"
/ the opinions aud advice of statesmen an,
| departments of government, differing witt
his own views and wishes. and the com
plete revolution in the policy Of the govern
ment from that of Mr.. Lincoln makes il
evident, beyond doubt, that it is his de
termination to carry out his own policy,
and to have his own way in spite of all OPP
posing opinions and wishes.
Now the tremendous mistake which he
makes, is in confidently believing that he
has the ability to do this thing--a thing
utterly impossible for any living man how
ever gifted with wisdom and sagacty. or
powerful in personal influence. Aud no
man-unless he were strangely ignorant
Of the character and purpose power of the
American people. would dream of attempt
Ing what he evidently docs.
He is guilty of the foolish error of suppos-
ing himself the ruler of the na,ion-or that
his position invests him with power to car
ry through measures of his own. regardless
of the wishes Of the people. or that the
people can be SO governed as to submit to
them.
When will our statesmen learn the grea.
fact-the great truth-that the American
people govern themselves! If one truth
has been illustrated more clearly than
another in our history of six years past, it
is this, that the people govern themselves.
and, under the Supreme Ruler alone. shape
their own destiny. The administration Of
Mr.. Lincoln proved thus. He led only as
the people pointed the way. This he him.
self confessed He had some personal in
fiuence and had the confidence of the peo-
PIE in larger degree than any President
since Washington. and yet he could do
nothing, only as the popular will evidently
determined, and some OF his great meas
ures were adopted because he dared not
disobey the popular demand.
Does Mr.. johnson suppose it is in his
power to do what no President before him
could do especially does he imagine that
with the lessons of the past, taught in
blood and suffering and sacrifice. this PEG
pie will suffer the power they know they
hold to pass from their hands and be re-
ceved by any man or men
The only explanation that can be given
of the course he takes. is that he utterly
fails to understand the thought, the opin-
ions, and the indomitahle purpose of the
great people that crushed the Rebellion
and saved the nation. No matter what
may be the cause of this ignorance, it is
lamcntahly apparent. He could never be
80 mean as to attempt to put the puny
force of a man or party against the ire
sistable power OF the mighty pillows OF the
popular will. And this fact must be a
caution to statesmen TO warn them from
their own irretrievable ruin, while, at the
same time, in it lies our sure hopc-our
certainty of triumph in the painful struggle
we are in. The nation-the people gov
ern. Their DESTINY is in their own hands
They will never suffer the loss of the fruits
Of the sacrifices of the war against treason
They exercise, just now. the patience which
strong confidence in their own power MAJ.
urally imparts. They will for brief pc
Rod endure the vagaries of Ignorance, OF
oonceit, or blind obetinacy. but when III,
hour shall come. men and parties that
stand before the imperious might of theil
will, will be as chatf before the tempest.