The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-08-09
PRESIDENT J1fsNscN,s REspaN
SIR1tITV WV

nection With t exste as to President JohsonS con-
be remo~ad b se Massacre in NewOrleans, it will
General Herroy; reading his dispatch to Attorney
United Sto| knowledge that loyal citizens of the
| Rebel les were dying from wounds received by
Iced mob, assumes the full responsibility of the
is f., The policy that prompted Mayor Monroe and
r. lowers found its inspiration IN Washington.
p lis conclusion fills us withinexpressible Sadness
tive cannot resist the facts. 1t is dreadful thing
o arraign the President of the United States be-
ing in any possible sympathy with the unlawful
shedders OF blood, but when plain fact is to be
stated the painest words the best. In the first
place the President recognizes a usurped power to
communicate his wishes. James NJ. Wells is the
Governor OF Louisiana, and the official representa-
tive of the State. To him the President should
have spoken. But Gov. Wells, duly elected gov
by rebel votes has called this Convention to-
gether ana the President steps over the theory of
State Rights, and sends his commands to an officer
of his Cabinet-his Attorney Geneml-one Andrew
S. Herron-a conspicuous Rebel in the days of trea-
son The President directs HIM to call upon General
Sheridan for sufficient force to sustain the civil
anthSEles in n, sqPpressing all Illegal or unlawful
States have rights, and Governors of States priyil
eyes, then his course in recognizing an officer of
Gov Wells Cabinet as the proper authority to call
out troops is usurpation. What would have been
said if Congress had requested Acknowledgement
Speed to call out the troops and perform the highest
executive functions. Yet Mr. Speed had as much
right to call out the troops of the United States as
MIR. Heron has to take command of the troops in
louisiana
This is small point in our argument but If shows
the tendency oil the President. His dispatch recop-
nlzes usurpation, and proceeds to defend the mas
sacre. All - unlawful assemblies - must be SIM
pressed. Well. this particular assembly was sup
pressed-and very efectually-for its leaders were
murdered, and those who escaped murder are either
lying in the prison or the hospital According TO the
President this convention had not obtained the con-
sent of the people of the State Ii it at all entered in
to our argument we might ask him what right had the
President to determine this fact? Gov Wells thonobt
the Convention was legal and he is governor what
business has President Johnson with It? Who piyes
the President of the United States power to traverse
the decision OF State Executive to decide upon
the competency of State Convention? Would he be
justified IN sending dispatch to Gen. Barlow decar-
ing the New ork Legls ature to be unlawful and call
ing upon en.Hooker to disperse its members Ac
cording to the Presidents theory the theory
that Louisiana Is sovereign State and her officers
competent to govern 1.-THE is guilty of most
| fragrant assumption of executive power
We pass beyond this theory, or indeed anv theory
OF Presidential prerogative The facts are that GER
tain Union menconspicuous for their loyalty during
years of war-have been murdered by Rebels who
were conspicuous for treason in years of war The
men who did the deed are enabled to show warrant
for their crime from the President of the United
States.
1t is folly to use soft phrases in speaking of this
appalling crime. The policy of Andrew johnson
engendered the demon fury which has shed blood
in the streets of the Crescent City. His statesman
ship has raised Rebel flags in New
Orleans. His construction of Presidential duty has
led him to commit an act of direct usurpation in
Louisiana. His oath to protect and defend the ma
ton finds expression in the unavenged assassination
Of men whose loyalty as conspicuous and self
denying and sorely tried as his own. All that we
have gained by the comes to this that in Louis
lana ilustrious General of the Union army is com
Rebel The time has come for the people to speak
and let it be in tones so distinct and unmstakable
that even Andrew Johnson will not dare to disobeS
the warning.-Neao York Tribune.