The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-09-26
THE UEURPATION OF JOHNSON.
The COwNr,IIy Fears of Conscious
Guilt.
The Motive. TINT Control hi. Conduct,
Johnson. Contemplated Treason.
he Is to Play the Crom"em.
Congress to be Dispersed and the
Rebels InSIRIIetI In the Capital
by Force, and Civil War
PrccIpitRteII on the
Country.
The Government to be Seized by the
Rebels and the Loyal People
DeHctI.
The Defeat OF the johnson Party this
Fall the Only salvation.
CrImInaIIty or DC. sewarl.
Etom a. ldRantlc lronLhIu Eor octoner


There are threo passions TO which
public men are especially exposed
fear, hatred and ambition. Mr.. John
son Is the victim and slave OF all; and.
unhappily for himself, and unCortu-
nHIely for the country, there is no
ground for hope that he will ever free
himself from their malign influence.
It is common report, and II common
report founded upon the statements Of
those best acquainted with the Presi-
dent, that he lives in continual fear OF
personal harm, and that he anticipates
hostile Congressional action in an at
tempt tn impeach him and deprive him
of his office. He best all men knows
whether he is Justly liHble to impvach-
ment; and he ought to know that Con-
gress cannot proceed to impeach him,
unless the offenses or misdemeanOrs
charged and proved are OF such gravity
OF the country and the world.
There is nothing vindictive or harsh
in the American character. The for
bearance of the American people is IA
subject of wonder, if it is not theme
for encomium. They have assented to
the pardon OF many of the most prOmi-
nent rebels; they have seen the authors
of the war restored to citizenship, to
the possession of their property, and
even to the enjoyment Of patronage and
power in the Government aud, final
iy, they have been compelled, through
the policy of the President, to submit
to the dictation, and, in some sense, to
the control OF the men whom they so
recently met and vanquished upon the
field q, battle. The testimony OF
Alexander II. Stephens everywhere
suggests, and in many particulars cx-
actly expresses, the policy OF the Presi-
dent.
Mr.. Stephens INSERTS that the States
recently in rebellion were always enti-
tied 70 representation in the Congress
of the United States; and MIR. Johnson
must accept the satne position; for, II
tho right were once lost, il is impossi-
BILE to suggest how or when II was re-
gained. IL Is also known that, while
the JohnEOn-ShDrmnn negotiations
were pending, Mr.. Davis received writ
ten opinions from two or more persons
who were then with him, and acting us
members Of his Cabinet, upon the very
question in dispute between Congress
and Mr.. JOhnsOn,-the rights of the
then rebelliOus Stntes in the govern
ment of tho United STATES. These
opinions set up and maintained the
doctrine that the Rebel States would
beat once entitled to representation In
tho government of the country, upon
the ratification or adoption of tho pend
ing negotiations. 1t may not be just
to say that tho President borrowed his
policy from Richmond; but 1t is both
iust and true t0 say that the leaders OF
the rebellion have been incapable OF
suggesting n public policy more ad-
vantageous to themselves than that
which he has adopted. Tho President
knows that tho people have been quiet
and impartial observers of these pro.
ceedIngs; that tho House or Repre-
sentativcS has never in public ses-
sion, nor In any OF It's caucuses OF
committees, considered or proposed
any measure looking to his fmpench-
ment.
The grounds of his fear are known
only 70 himself; but its existence ex-
erts IL controlling influence over his
private and public conduct.
Associated with this fenr, and proba-
bly springing from it; Is an intense hR-
tired Of nearly all the recognized leaders
OF the party by which he was nomi.
mated and elected to Office. Evidenco
upon this point is not needed. He has
exhibited 1t In manner and TO n
degree moro uncomfortable to his
friends than to his enemies, in nearly
! every speech that he has made, com