The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-04-10
RECEPTIONS AT THE EXECUTIVE
MANSION.
ACAMPAlGN OF MALuGNITY.

A CAMPAIGN OF MALIGNITN.
Toward every honest expression of dissent
the position and policy of The
PRESIDENT we shall extend, so far as lies in
our power, courteous respect We have
not now, and hope never to have, any quar-
rel with the sincere and upright men Of the
Union party who may differ with the Execu-
tive on any point. We shall earnestly labor
to convince them that his course is patriotic |
that his acts are in accordance with his
sense Of right, and that the one controlling
idea at the basis Of his private wishes and his
public record is strict adherence to the Con
stitution and unfaltering fidelity to the
American Republic Sooner or later every
unbiased and unprejudiced citizen will dis
cover this to be his rule Of conduct, and yield
him the tribute Of their admiration and graft
tude. We have no issue but that Of straight
forward defence and manly argument to make
with those who conscientiously oppose the
immediate recognition Of the representation
Of the Southern States, and who were disap-
pointed by the veto messages OF The PREsI-
DENT We leave it to the future to vindicate
the wisdom Of the objections urged against
these measures Even now we do not hest
tate to say that outside Of a few localities,
where radicalism has substituted the place Of
religion, and Congress is regarded as the
Government, the Freedmens Bureau bill
could not obtain the majority Of an in
telligent congressional district. And
when it is seen that the Civil Rights
bill, which became law Notwithstanding the
objections Of The President, defeats the very
purpose which it pretends to aid, when by its
defects it can afford no assistance to the
freed race; when by its useless riders and its
cumbrOus machinery it was deprived of the
moral weight Of the Presidential signature
as it will be Of judicial sanction; when it is
realized that the sovereign title of the State
is surrendered, and that Congressional usur-
patton has gained more in q single hour in
this nation, under mistaken devotion to
liberty, than it achieved in twenty-five years
with all the arrogance and aggressions Of
slavery, this people will recoil with sorrow
from the rising monster of Capitalization.
The syren voice which sings of humanity and
duty will soon die away, and then will be
heard the defiant menace of d;ctatorial power.
But on these subjects we expect a divided
opinion. So long as the world stands there
will be those who are for and those who are
against every legislative proposition or polit-
zeal idea. Unanimity upon all matters never
did and never will exist. 1t is doubtful
whether il would be desirable for us to be all
of one mind if it were possible. Therefore
much of the comment and criticism of GER
tain prominent loyal papers adverse to the
policv If The President has not surprised
us, and though much that has been said was
weak an inane as argument, the tone and
temper has been commcudable and proper.
But there has been another spirit mani
tested by some Of the opponents of TIT
PRESIDENT, having its origin in personal dis.
appointment which cannot be too severely
rebuked. The excess of yirtue which has
characterized some of the bitter onposition
hurled at President JOHNSON sprines from n
thirst for revenge. The sewers of vitupera-
ton which opened upon him nv the Cb,onj.
Gle in Wasbington and the ReDuLI;coD in
Chicago. spranp from this motive. The edi.
tor of the first finds his sickenipp adulation
of that official not reciprocated. and he turns
upon him. He then receives a shot Bacl,
which will long rankle in a place which in
most men is occupied with heart, and has
affixed to his name an unfortunate soubriouet
which he will carry to his grave ASH mat.
ter of course, smarting under his deserved
castigation, he endeavors, by calling TIL
President traitor and dcserter, and all
manner of ridiculous things, to draw attcn
ton from his own shame and infamy
,nonitorion adreotion- bovirc, had q tuition
III the TcHneu society Ol tne SOclullStS NJ