The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-01-15

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the system of government under which the
Country hourished for many years, the ULTRA
radicals, who desire to push on the work Of
destruction, find OUT that the president hes
been, and 10 doing very unconstitutional
things. They say that emo true friend OF
popular government and free institutions"
will regard it rs at all compatible with our
form OF government Ito permit the president
to assume to himself the power of reconstruc.
ing government in the late rebellious states,
and of prescribing, according to his mere
VIII, the terms upon which they and their re-
bellious people shall again be admitted into
the Union, and allowed to enjoy the protec-
ton of its laws, and the privilege of its gov
ernment." In the eyes of these incendiary
revOlutionists, the prerogatives of the presi-
dent, tor all the purposes of oppression and
destruction, are infinite, but for any work
that may tend to the peace and prosperity of
the country his powers under the constitution
are very limited. Such are the shameless
Inconsistencies to which they do not hesitate
to resort for the advancement of their ends.
The memorial further states that not only
has the president adopted q reconstruction
policy, 1.-The manifest effect and object of
which is to exclude congress from having any
lot or part in the settlement" but by "pur-
suing his own impracticable and ruinous
scheme. he has given the lie to all his former
professions has Knocked at and insulted jus.
tice and law, degraded the dignity of his
great office, and Is, far as he can, restor-
ing to all their former rights the unrepentant
enemies of the republic, and arming them
anew with power, as if it were his purpose to
reconstruct, not the republic, but the rebel
lion." 'The pardoning power" we are told,
''has, in his hands, become a means to abol-
ish justice for the public ruin" He is keep
ing the negro IN a condition more oppressive
Ian slavery itself; ;" he is securing the in
tsrests ola "treaoherous landed aristocracy,"
while ''the freedom loving people of the
north, behold themselves cheated of all the
legitimate fruits of their enormous sacrifc.
es." The memorialis.s then say "To leave
in office three years longer a man who thus
abused his power by creating conditions that
carry with them the germs of another civil
war, the undersigned consider treason to the
repu bile. They deem it necessary, therefore,
that this man, on account of the violations of
the constitution under which he holds his
authority, on account of misgovernment. and
on account of his contempt for the laws of
congress-, shall be impeached and removed
from his Office The memorial concludes
with the assertion that the nation has q
right to know whether its first servant is ap-
pointed as an autocrat, or as a republican
officer" ...
the instance of influential politicians, or is
being signed by many of them, we cannot
say, but if such should b. the case, it bodies
serious troubles. Men who are willing to
put their names to such a manifesto will stop
at nothing. In drawing the sword against
Mr. johnson they have thrown away the
scabbard, and be can only meet them the same
way, for, in such political struggle the
most resolute of the two parties is most like
ly TO be successful. The more radical ee
ment in congress and in the country is bent
upon attaining if possible, absolute power.
How they would use it, is painful to think.
But Mr.. Johnson, having acted with them
upon certain point. sees the injustice and
the folly OF carrying out their destructive
policy in the south. He knows perfectly
we'll that it would result in ths ultimate ruin
of both sections. The revolutionary faction
must first. then, get the president out of the
way If 1t cannot do this it will endeavor to
induce congress 10 usurp powers as absolute
IA those exercised by the national convention
in the French revolution. How far it will
succeed In again throwing the country into
lnextricable confusion depends altogether
upon the amount of courage and energy that
may be displayed by the president.