Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-03-02
From the Chicago Republican, Radical.l
Soft Words. .f.....

Governor Cox of Ohio has seen the Presi-
dent, and has been favored by him with one
OF those occasional stump speeches In which
it is his habit to communicate his views to
the public. The Governors interview took
place on Saturday, two days after the MEM
Orable harahgue to the mob, when Mr..
johnson had only rebels before him and
Mrs. Surratts lawyers on either hand; and,
as is not unnatural after dav and scene
of great excitement, a reaction and a change
of temper appear to have set in Accord
ingly, the speech of Saturday was very
different from that Of Thursday, though
we have not the advantage which we en-
joyed in the case of that great effort of
perusing the Presidents own words. The
Governor however, was much impressed
by them, and by "his straightforward honest
look and the hearty tones of his voice."
The President earnestly disclaimed any in
tention of separating himself from the
Union party. "His whole heart was with
the body of true men who had carried the
country through the war, and he earnestly
desired to maiutain a cordial and perfect
understanding with them. This sentiment
he regarded as entirely consistent with de-
termined opposition to the obstruction
policy of those extremists who, as he be-
lieved, would keep the country in chaos
till absolute ruin might come upon u.s." y
This is all very well in its way. We have
no disposition to quarrel wthany one who
seeks to keep up his faith in the honesty,
disinterestedness and Republicanism of Mr..
johnson. We have made some remarkable
efforts in that way ourselves, and can SYM
pathize with those whose confidence is
great, tenacious and ng-suffering. No one
can rejoice more heartily than we shall to
see the President following to the end the
straight line of duty, without regard to the
batteries of rebels and rebel sympathizers.
But we can tell Gov. Cox and all others
who, in the present circumstances, assume
the special function of believers that great
deal will be required to bring the people of
the United States up to their elevation of
trust and reliance. .H.-"
There was time when Andrew johnson
was honored and respected by all loyal men.
That respect received very rude shock on
the 4th of March, when Mr.. Johnson's
speech, though less indecent and less vio-
lent than his speech of Thursday, was ofes-
sentally similar character. 1t received
another shock when he authorized the re-
organization of the rebel forces in Missis-
sippi; another when he was reported by
Democrats as intriguing for the success OF
the Democratic party In the New York
election; another when vile woman In
Washington was found to be selling Presi-
Dental pardons to rebels with the Presi-
dents signature not yet dry, upon them !,
another when he vetoed the Freedmen's
Bureau bill, upon grounds OF sophistry and
misrepresentation and finally his speech of
Thursday converted distfust Into certainty,
and anxiety into despair. And while this
was the case with loyal men, how was it
with rebels and Copperheads? The veto
and the speech filed them with all the sat-
isfaction of triumph. Their ideas and
their policy were at last put in practice by
a Republican PfesidentllH CAUGHT or1iN
Now the true people of the Union viii
be relieved of an ineXpressible grief and
alarm If all this can be changed. But we
tell Governor Cox and President johnson
| it win take something more than soft words
to satisfy the public mind. It's present eona
dition Is not the result Of one fact, but, as
we have shown, of many. 1t is not the
work of imagination, but of the patient
and hopeful use of common sense. Protes-
tations are Of no avail honest looks and
hearty tones of thevoiee will not suffice. Il
But let us see IL there be any evidepceiu
Governor CoX's, report, of the speech OF
Saturday, which can justify expectation OF
the needed reform and amendment. q The
President told him that in his plan of res-
toration he had adopted ths idea Of stimn7