New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-20
JouNsoN,s REPUTATION OF LINCOLN.

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The strongest point which Mr. johnson could
make-the point which he has labored most to
make-is, that in his attempt to force Congress to
admit Southern representatives, he is true to the
pocv of Abraham Lincoln. Never was claim more
baseless Yet in all his speeches Dir. johnson mas
repeated it, and of late with an irritation when De-
trays sense of weakness. Reyerdy john
son. in his address to the President ingenously
ATTEMPTS TO gain from the love Of the people for Mr.
Lincoln popularity for his successor, and assures Mr.
Johnson that "being upon the same ticket with that
much lamented public servant, whose foul assassna-
ton touched the heart OF the civilized world with
grief and horror Won would have been false to Obvious
duty if you had not endeavored to carry outthe same
policy" All the Copperhead papers which ierocous.y
denounced Mr.. Lincoln's policy while he lived, now
praise Mr. johnson for adopting it, Thus we may see
how highly the mantle of Elijah is galued-but Mr.
Johnson has a cloak of his own and the true garment
has fallen upon Congress Upon the question oil his
fulfllment of the purposes Of Mr.. Lncons admins
traon, the Union party might safely appeal to the
people, and stand or fall by that alone.
II would be easier to define what is not than what
is the peculiar policy which Mr. johnson aud Mr.
Seward have invented and submitted to the South iof
adoption; yet there are few plain principles which
undere it, 1t is based upon the idea that no egisla-
ton of Congress required to restore the Rebel States
their forfeited privileges; it assumes that Congress
can demand of them no conditions whatever, but Is
bound to admit them demand to its halls state,
on this theory may fight for years against the Union,
and throwing down it's arms at once take part IN the
government. Or, if there be any preparation Of
measures or time required, the President may alone
determine the duration Of the penance and the nature
of the purgatives His policy, in short, has for ITS
central idea the unlimited efficacy of Presidential
amnesty: those whom he has pardoned other men
have no right to question.
This is Mr.. Johnson's policy. That Of Mr. Lincoln
is'absolutely antpodal. 1t It's well known, and the
proof is now in the possession OF the Government
that Mr.. Lincoln the close OF the war; declared
that he had power whateyeroyerthe reconstruction
of the Union-fhat belonged to Congress. His
messages to Congress repeat it. His message
of December, 1854 was specially intended to assure
the Southern people ofthe kindness they would receive
upon their submission; yet he explicitly limited the
extent of the mercy they could receive from him.
" Some certain and other possible questions
are and would be, beyond the Executive
power to ADJUST as for instance tic admission Of 'aoS-
Jers into Congress and whatever might require the ap
preparation of money. The Erseutirc POrer usey
tcoad be greatly diminished By he cessation Of Actual dr
Parlons aud remssions Of oreiturcs, however would
still be within Executive control" This was well
understood North and South. No language could be
palmer than this which, in promising Executive Glenn
ercy. limited it to individuals, aud expressly dis
claimed the power extend it ara to restore States
TO their old relations Jefferson Davis in his messageof
March, 1866. faithfully repeated these opinions 1T will
further be remembered that Mr.. Lincoln declared
that the only terms on which hostilities could cease
were those stated in bis Message Of December last in
which we were informed that in the event Of our
penitcnt submission, he would temper justice with
mercy, and hat he question Hhether rouid be gOr.
erHed depsndent hrritofes, OF permitted 10 hare a
approximation in their Congress, ,ciich he
could promise nothing, bit r-hioh r0Hd be decided By
their Congress, after our submission had been nc
copied"
II is useless to say more. When il is proved that
Mr. Lincoln distinctly declared that the admission of
representatives from the Rebel States was for Con-
gess solely to decide, it is the extreme Of enronery
to claim that his policy is carried ont by NJ; Johnson,
who afrms that Congress is without any jurisdiction
in the matter.