White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1866-08-23


was assassiuated, thousands of loyal peo-
pie have had in their secret souls belief,
terrible in its character. which refused to
be banished, yet which they dared not
give utterancs to; and subsequent events
have strengthened and confirmed that be-
lief, until it is as fixed % If authenticated
BY unimpeachabls evidence. We think
that We express the feeling Of tens of
thousands. when we say that we believe
Andrew johnson was party to the as
sassin alton, in so far that be knew it was
contemplated, acquiesced in the plan, and
pledged himself to the schemes of the re-.
bells when they should make him Presi-
dent. The only bslk was. that the deed
did not take place at the time it was irst
intended. Inauguration day was the time
fixed upon. johnson, according to the
programme agreed upon, was to have his
Auor drugged. SO as to render him half
stupid and half crazy. but not seriously
ipjure him. Then, after the sssassina-
ton was consummated. this circumstance
could be adduced to show that his life
had also been attempted, BY poison. but
failed. He took his potion, as per ar
rangement. From some cause, the bal.
ancs Of the plot failed for the time being;
and the only result was. that johnson
played the part of besotted fool. and
inflicted upon himself and the nation q
disgrace in the eyes Of the world which
is indellible. The assassination was Of.
forwards carried out to suit circumstan-
ces. The story that on the fatal night
persons were heard stealing about in the
vicinity Of his room. and that be escaped
by some accidental occurrence which
seemed Providential. was all stuff, to
blind the public. Zee
Johnson's zeal in afterwards hanging
some of the minor tools in the affair, did
very we'll to aid in the binding process.
They were obscure persons, of little con.
sequence. but perhaps knew enough to
become troublesome customers in the fu.
ture. Therefore, they were excellent
subjects for johnson to "experiment'
upon, to show his determination to pun.
ish the assassins. But the chief conspi.
rstors have not and will not be punished
Those who have not already been releas'
ed, soon will be; and the offer of rev wardt
for those never apprehended, has beer
withdrawn. Lincoln was not buried bs'
fore the Copperheads and rebels began
sounding the praises of johnson, and
showing by every sction that they fell
sure of having secured true and power.
ful friend. An officer who knew John.
son as Military Governor of Tennessee.
has told US that the military officers fire.
quently found it necessary to restrain him
from committing excessive cruslties upon
the rebels of that Stale. With a memo.
ry of this experience, why should the re-
bels become SO Joyous asd hopeful i'm.
mediately upon his accession to the Pres.
idency, if there was not some definite
understanding between him and them !
johnson tried to carry the mask for 9
time. for decsncy's sake; but the effort
was too awkward to deceive, and bis
drift soon became perfectly clear to all
except those who would not see. He
is carrying out his agreement with the
rebels in full faith. and they are now fa.
ring better than if JEFF. Davis sat in the
Presidential Chair. and Andrew johnson
occupied q cell in Fortress Monroe.
Such is our sentiment; and we believe
that nine-tenths of the truly loyal people
Of the nation, if they expressed tbeil
minds fully and freely, would coincide
with us-that they believed. in thsil
hearts. that the assassin of Abraham Lin.
coin now holds his drunken and licen.
tious orgies in ths White House