New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-04-04

from the London Times, March 9th.l
The memorable speech of President johnson on
Washington's birthday would not have been un-
worthy of the great founder Of the American Re-
public. He, too, had reasons to know that peace
brings anxieties more formidable than all the or
deals of war, and the calm determination which
carried him through them has justly won for him
a foremost place among the rulers of mankind.
Nor was the task of Washington after the recog-
milton of American Independence altogether unlike
that of President johnson since the subjugahon OF
the South. The creation OF the Union was then
the first object of the American statesman, as the
restoration of the Union is now, and If the princl
pie of federalism was prominent in the mind of
Washington, while that of State rights is upper
most in that of Mr. Jonston it is only because the
present danger proceeds from an opposite quar-
| ter. When the doctrine of State rights was
pushed to extremes inconsistent with the exist
ence of a Federal Republic, Mr.. johnson took his
stand upon the same ground as his illustrious pre-
decessor. Now that "a consolidation equally dan
gerous and Objectionable with separation u is the
avowed aim of the radical party, and that com
mittee appointed by Congress from which the
seeding States are excluded is assuming to dictate
the terms of their readmisson, Mr. johnson inter,
poses his authority to save the Constitution, and
| Washington would assuredly have done the same
There is, indeed, no answer to the pregnant argu-
ment which is at once the keynote to this remark
able speech, and the keystone of that conservative
policy which Mr.. johnson Inherited from MI LIN
coin. =
| 1t is impossible not to admire the resoute will
declaration an interest far above the ordinary ut
terances of American Presidents. An equally
striking merit, however, is its singular clearness
as an exposition of the sentiments which dstin-
guish Mr.. Johnson's party, as it is now GALE
from those which have hitherto appeared to en-
gross the whole field of Northern politics. lie
does not scruple to state that he ever was, and
still is, for the Union at any price. Such was,
doubtless Mr.. Lincoln's real opinion and passages
very similar in tone might probably be culled from
his earlier addresses. But it is one thing to use
language of this kind when the issue was still un,
decided, and the abolition of slavery had not yet
become military or political necessity; 1t Is
another thing to repeat it when its advocates are
victorious, commanding majority in Congress
and almost prepared to RISK a tresh reVolunon
rather than sacrifice the doctrine of negro equality
There is one reflection that is almostforced upon
us by the spectacle of these exciting conflicts OF
the other side of the Atlantic. Political move
ments on so grand scale quite dwarf our owl s1
domestic interests, and we are sometimes ha
tempted to envy state of things which gives scope
for the display of the highest public virtues Nc
hereditary monarch nor even an elective emperor
nheriting the traditions and administrative system
} Of an hereditary monarchy, can ever be placed 10
the same position President Johnson; and II Is
t to be feared that few princes born in the purple
would be capable of facing great emergency with
i equal courage and dignity. There is stamp OF
i reality and proud self-condence in this appeal to
the sovereign people which obliterates the effect
OF some lndscreet expressions, and makes us feel
3 that Mr.. johnson is equal to govern the destni
OF a great nation through perilous crisis. 1t Is
only civil war and the dire exgences which arise
ont Of it which can develop qualities of this type,
d or show the difference between parliamentary
i ability and the powers of a Cromwell or Wash.
Is ington Yet that nation is surely not the happiest
d in which such powers have the amplest room fer
i, their exhibition.
Ii Nations do not exist to produce OF show of
great characters, but to cultivate the well being
I Of all their MEMBERS and to fulfil the ends mora
i and material, of human society When we con
$ trast the tameness of party struggles at home
d with the colossal proportions of American poll
s tics, the caution and retcence of our states
| men with the decision and simplicity of Presiden
! johnson, we should remember, though in NJ
v spirit of arrogant self-complacency, that boil
. seamanship cannot be manifested in fair weather
J. Had we several millions of emancipated slave
s among us, whole provinces lately in revolt t
d pacify and govern, the wounds inflicted by fou
' years of war to heal, and the most desperate 9
i financial problems to solve-were Parliament
r issue with the Crown, and were the monarchy,