Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-04-06
A Couple Of Connecticut Radicals

A Couple OF Connecticut Radicals
Have published an interview with the
President, the object of which is to prove
that he Is still radical, and has no idea of
quitting the Union party. Such statements
Is well calculated to mslead the mass Of the
conservative Republicans into the belief that
vote for Congress is equivalent to vote
for the President, and viewers.
But the fallacy of the assumption Is easily
exposed by a corsory. examination Of facts.
The Union party-if there be such one or
ganized-is made up Of those who favor
restoration of the Union on the plan laid
down by the President The Disunion party
Is made up of such men as Stevens, Sumner,
and Fred Douglass, who oppose the restora-
ton OF the Union, as proposed by the Pres-
dent.
knarew johnson, of course, has no idea Of
abandoning the first named party, composed
Of Democrats and conservative Republicans,
and he told the simple truth, when he so
stated to the Connecticut men aforesaid. The
fallacy consists in the assumption on their
part, that the radicals constitute the Union
party, and this claim is set forth, with the
knowledge that the President has denounced
the radical leaders as traitors and disunion-
lists. The mistake is willfdl, and the object
Is to mislead the people Of the North for the
purpose of securing continued radical ascen-
dency, and continued disunion.
How far the Presidents own course
may give aid and comfort to his bitter and
insidious enemies, il is not for US to say.
He occupies standpoint from which he can
view the whole field Of the political struggle
and has the sagacity, no doubt, to perceive
all the advantages in his favor, and the firm
ness TO serve and maintain the strongest
points for offensive and defensive warfare.
Many Of his friends, however, are uneasy at
his retention of so many men in office who,
either secretly, or openly, use all their in
Huencc to defeat all his plans and give the
victory TO his enemies. No matter how
effective bis policy may prove in the end,
his enemies are strengthened and encouraged
by 1t, TO all appearances whilst his friends are
more or less discouraged. This, as far as we
are advised, is the Southern view of the sub
ject but as we are mere lookers-on, whilst the
struggle is between Northern conservatism
on the one hand, and radicalism on the
other, our position may be nnfavorable to
comprehensive view Of the entire Geld, with
all lis strategic points. When, however, we
see both Houses Of Congress actively engag-
ed in the work of expellng the friends Of
the President, willis. he retains his enemies
in the Cabinet and elsewhere, it is no Idle
curiosity which prompts the true friends of
the Union and of the Executive to ask what
is to be the result of controversy which
seems to be conducted on terms, apparently
80 unequal. Still, our confidence in the
ability Of Andrew johnson, to estimate ac-
curately, the effect Of every move made
Aeains, him, keeps us hopeful, and we are
willing to believe that whatever appears
ominous Of evil in the aspect of affairs is
ssceivable to our own imperfect view of the
svolutions Of parties in the North.
We belong TO no party; but go for the
Constitution and the Union, restoration,
justice and peace; and will cooperate heart
and hand with all who are for the same
great ends, whatever may be their party
designation. Though powerless and with
out representation, the South cannot but
feel a deep interest in decision in which its
life or death is involved. The people oflhis
section are arranged as criminals, at the bar
Of court, uuconsttntonally organized, bu'
without the right to avail themselves Of is
want Of legitimate Jurisdiction, and witho1t
the power to resist its DEGREES, except by an
appeal, Of doubtful efficacy, TO that higher
court n, the North, which speaks through
the bslot-box. Thus situated, we are, pene.
ing the trial, for those who are for us; and
these comprise all who are for the Cons;itu-
ton and the Union, without regard TO forme,
PARTY affiliations In the meantime, let the
South keep cool and patiently await the So
iatioa OF the problem Have faith in The
President, and let US say and do nothing
calculated te em6arass him by giving the
1ligh,cs, advantage to his bitter and unscruou.
lous enemies. He may seem TO us to err in
iae selection Of the means best adapted to
complete success but the error mag be ours
therefore TO lie, him alone may bc the wisesI
policy.