The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-22
Aim of Radical Legislation.

From the Daily Netos
1t appears, from the introduction of Mr.. Hen.
dersons bill in the Senate that the Radicals are
determined to legislate away the power and in.
fuence of the Executive office. The bill in
question is the same in spirit aud intention as
the amendment to the Post Office Appropriation
BILL and is designed TO weaken the President by
withholding from him the control of Fede-
raj patronage. These attacks, of course are
directed against Mr. johnson individually, and
would never have been thought of if the Presi-
dent had not opposed the schemes OF the radical
revolutionists. There was a time when they
We're In iavor OF yesting the Chief Magistrate
with almost absolute powers; and until Mr.,
Johnson refused to become their tool and dupe
they made no objection to the Executive eXer-
cise OF arbitrary authority. But that was when
the Executive action harmonized with that of
the Congressional maioritles. That was when
the President pulled their way, when his policy
was theiis, and it was to their interest to sur
round him with the elements of strength. 1t was
only when they perceived that the present in
cumDent could neither be persuaded nor lntimi.
dated to adopt and advance their partisan views
that they suddenly discovered that the Presl-
dent had too much influence and that it was
necessary Tor thelsatety of the Republic to de-
grade and emascula' the Chief Magistracy.
II MIR. johnson would only be q puppet in
their hands, he might wear crown and robes
Tor aught they care. But as his is not the plant,
oPy hI'uAS UndG Val ue IIdiueu NY uena9ORueS
to do their will, they have come to the conclu-
sion that he is too powerful. As they cannot
use the. man they propose to belittle the Office
Since he will not employ his patronage to
strengthen their party, they protest against his
using 1t at all. In word the radical Congress
asplres to absolutism, and can brook no rivalry
from any of the other branches OF the Govern
ment. .'' ~ 7'T--
We have never been in favor of strengthening
the central power of the Government, but ii
centraization is inevitable, deliver the republic
Congress like that which reigns to-day. Far
saier to be under the dictatorial sway of one
man than to be ruled by an arrogant reckless,
and unprincipled faction. If the privilege Of
distributing Federal patronage be taken from
the Executive, it will be assumed by Congress-;
and the country has had bitter experience of
the results of too much Congresso onal autho-
rlty. Give those demagogues, who have already
usurped monopoly OF central legislation, the
control of the spols, and the power OF directing
the gifts OF public Offices and their ambition
ton. But 1t is almost exclusively to this labor
OF partisan ACCOMPLISHMENT that central legsla-
ton is now being applied. The general inte
rests are lost sight of, and with an effrontery
that dehes even popular opinion the radical
majorities work necessarily in Senate and House
at the looms OF party power The injury that
this faction has already accomplished is incalcu-
liable: injury not only to our political system
but to the industrial interests of the country
and to the general social and moral atmosphere,
which has been unsettled and poisoned by
their intrigues and revolutionary legislation.
Usurpation never takes backward step unless
forced back. The question is, How long will an
intelligent people endure an evil that they can
cure?