The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-17

Importance Co the Country.
From tie Herald.
what is the position IN which President John
son now stands before The country? What
course will he pursue henceiorward in reference
TO Southern restoraion9 Wlll he fall in with
the Constitutional amendment OF Congress, and
bring his powerful influence to bear in favor of
its ratification by the excluded States or will
he adhere to o line of policy which has been so
emphatically rejected in the late September aud
October elections that we cannot doubt the
verdict of the Northern States which are TO
speak in November
These and such as these are now the leading
questions OF the day among the people. ALI men
OF all parties and all sections are discussing
them. The predominant public sentiment of
the country Is in favor of the Constitutional
amendment. The time has come for response
from the Admin stration; for nom the lights
before us we can give no answer In its behalf
Some say that Andrew Johnson, man OF the
people. will accept the results of the recent
elections as the voice of the people and that
accordingly he may be even expected to issu n
proclamation, write letter, or make q speech
urging upon the Southern States the ultIm atum
OF Congress as their only way of restoration
But still there are Others who say that the firm
nest, te1aclty, or obstlnacy If you will of An
drew johnson will not be shaken, come what
may; that like maddeDed horse that has
seized the bit between hs teeth, he will be
checked by nothing tlll tumbled INTO heap with
the wagon over preclpice or against a stone
wall. Between these conflicting opinions the
evidence, 40 1t no stands, is such that we can
give no decision upon the subject. We are all
in doubt, and doubs and misapprehensions
begin to affect our financial securities abroad.
President johnson, however, cannot be hest
tating for want OF light. He is embarrassed no
doubt, by the question OF COP sisency, and
shrinks, perhaps, from the idea OF striking his
colors TO Thad. Stevens and the radicals. But
these are absurd notions, and Mr. Johnson can
lot too soon dismiss them. The amendment,
after all, embodies nothing more than HIS own
terms and recon nendatlons to tue Southern
states, proposed from time to time. Consist
ency, there ore, invites him to CO opera ion
with Congress. The amendment Is not the plan
OF stevens or Sumner; iC Is Substantially the
original plan OF Andrew Johnson something
less perhaps, In Its eXactlons, but nothing
more. The terms of the amend nent involve
his terms eXacted OF the excluded States; and
the power OF Congress to accept, reject or
moo1y ms provisional measures he has himself
admitted. The Constltu ion, the facts, the
arguments, and the popular verdict OF the
North all invite hIm 10 the new departure
which will identify him hereafter with this
amendment.
That shallow consistency which adheres to-day
10 a certain theory because it was advocated
yesterday, is not the consis ency of statesman
True statesmanshi2 is guided bg The prevailing
tome ana manlfestat ons OF public opinion and
tne pressure OF great events. The cabinet of
England, the councils OF Napoleon the dlplo.
macy OF Blsmark, and the absolute autocrat of
"'i oiC buoodS, Ill Iuls age OF puDl G e0llp hten-
ment, are governed IN all great measures by the
developmeLts among their subjects of public
opinion. II, then, even the absolute despotisms
OIL Europe have learned to look Tor their strength
and stability TO the goodwill of Their peoples,
how much more is this sound policy required of
the President OF the United States, the creature
OF the people, and on trial for a lin ted term as
their servant? We cannot comprehend what
possible advantage to his admins ration Mr.
Johns )n can expect from standing out against
Congress, when, from this course, a worrying
majority ls assured in both Houses against him
to the end OF his term. On the other hand by
cooperating actively in behalf of the restora.
ton plan oil Congress, be may secure a balance
OF power in each House, even before the eXoira-
ton OF the present Congress, and position in
the next which will shape its legislation accord.
ing to the recommendations of his annual mes
sage of December, 1867.
Consistency, safety, power, honor and sue.
cess are offered the Administration with the
Constitutional amendment, and the opening of
a new chapter, with a new Cabinet In regard
70 our foreign relations and our financial sys-
TEN. The, opposite course, of continued re.
slstauce 10 Congress, Will delay, but will not
prevent the final ratification of this amendment
by three.ourths of the Legislatures of the
several States but from such course the Exc
cutiye will be rendered powerless, except for
mischief TO himself, the South, the treasury
ana the country to the end OF his term. On the
one hand he is invited to q historical reputation
as the worthy successor and fnisher OF the work
assigned TO Abraham Lincoln; while on the
other hand nothing better waits him than the
mglonous record OF poor Pierce or Buchanan.