The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-08-20
The Presidents Policy OF Appointments.

which our people are too ready to lend them
selves.
The President's Policy Of Appointments.
President johnson. in his interview with the
New Hampshire delegates t. the recent Ma
tional Union Convention on Friday, stated that
henceforth the power and Offices Of the govern
ment would only be given to those men who
maintained the principles set forth by that body
Of the most intelligent, able and patriotic men
who had assembled since the days Of the
Declaration Of Independence. This announce
ment from the President Is the first Executive
endorsement Of the action Of the Convention,
and it comes promptly and in good season.
Those who are hostile to those principles must
be regarded az the enemies of the country and
the constitution, and are therefore wholly unfit
to exercise any authority under the govern
nent. We trust and believe that the President
will keep his word in this matter. He has too
long retained in Office class Of men inimical
to the statesmanlike policy which he has
adopted for the reconstruction Of the country;
policy which is now fully ratified by the
people of all sections. Second only to the re-
suit OF the National Convention itself is this
determination Of Andrew Johnson. The official
duties Of the general government have hitherto
been committed in many cases 10 disunionists
Of the worst stamp-men more dangerous to
the permanency and prosperity of the republic
than the rebels who sought to overthrow it by
force Of arms. No government can remain
ctrouo yhoso uhord;po 70 of7caro q No orroood
to its policy and insidiously undermining its
principles. Mr.. johnson no doubt realized
this fact before; but he is now strengthened in
his determination to inaugurate radical re-
form by the verdict Of the whole people rem
dered at Philadelphia who endorse his policy
from end to end.
We hail with satisfaction this vigorous open
ing of the campaign on the part Of the Presi-
dent but we think that in remodelling the
system of oflce-holding with the small fry, he
ought to pay some attention to his Cabinet,
and perhaps begin there. lit becomes neces-
sary to dispossess traitors in the custom
houses, post Offices and the United States
courts, how much more essential il II that his
immediate advisers should prove themselves
loyal to the President and the people. The
Same test applies to every one in sdRse, great
and small. The President Acknowledges tina.
ait was q duty the administration owed itself
that strength and power should be given to
those who maintain the principles declared by
that great body of national men who met in the
Convention ct Philadelphia. Thst duty the
President can very readily perform, and It IL
expected that he win commence by enforcing
his authority in the case Of the newly appointed
Collector Of Philadelphia, W. r. johnson, whose
assumption Of the Office has been resisted by
the present radical incumbent, Colonel Thomas,
upon the ground that the appointment il not
exaotly regular, according TO bis judgment. It
seems rather Q high-handed measure for
government Official to resist the authority Of
the President; but 1t is nevertheless entirely in
accordance with the turbulent and rebellious
spirit Of the radical fhction. President John
son will no doubt very soon deal with this
case, and then he can continue to clear out all
the other radical disunionists now in ONCE.
The question raised by Thad Stevens and
the other disunionists in Congress as to the
legality Of the Presidents appointing to ONCE
persons rejected by the Senate while Congress
II not In session is in the hands Of Attorney
General Stansbury, and 1t il understood that
he 10 prepared to show that by law, prac;
tice and precedent there Is nothing to pre-
vent Mr.. johnson from making such appoint
ments. He has therefore Q fair field for his
operations in this respect, and We shall proba-
bly, soon see the Offices Of the government
filed by loyal men, and the intriguing, dis
union Jacobins sent forth bowling. The radi-
cal-ridden and overtaxed people will cordially
endorse such course on the part Of President
johnson as the first fruits Of the great National
Union Convention and q long stride towards
the reconstruction Of the country.