The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-02-22
Shall the President be sustainedf


ure of loyalty" was the faithfulness with
which citizen maintained it. Opposition to
the president of the United States in any
course he mi ght choose to take was a''crime,"
and vehemently denounced as treason. But
we now see the same party arrayed In open
and violent opposition TO the national execu
tive in all his plans for the good of the coun-
try! One of it's chief feleaders declares his
opinion on the great question before the coun-
try not worth the time it would take to read
them, and because ne ventures TO express
them to q senator, In an interview sought by
the latter, he is stigmatized as an ''usurper,"
a "tyrant," who deserves to have his head
brought to the block.
The great question is now for the people TO
decide, whether they will allow the radical
disunion party to triumph, or support the
president in his noble struggle to rescue the
country from the dreadful calamities into
which it is so rapidly drifting. 1t is a ques
ton which, as the New York Journal of Com
merce Justly says, revolves itself into this
Shall we have instant calm, and resume the
ordinary business of lite. the land be at peace,
the nation proceed on it's path of power, the
people fall back 10 their ancient happiness
business resume its steady flow in natural
channels, excitement OF all kinds, political and
financial, be calmed or shall have turmoil
for years, while we are in the hands of polite
ians seeking only political power and spoIs?
Our sober and judcious cotemporary con
tinues:
The war is between tho president, who desires
peace, and bouy of men, who ars determined to
keep the country a state of ferment for years
come, that they may be thrown up the top with
the scum which floats above all fermentation. No
man of property, man of business, laboring
man, mechanic, artisan, in whatever department
fail to be Interested in the question: or to see
that his interest lies the presidents side. Leav
ing aside all passion, and asking seriously what is
best for the country, what will promote individual
and public good, will soonest lead to The calm
pursuit OF our avecatous, the certain rewards OF
labor, the steady operation of the laws OF trade,
what will soonest make peaceful and most sure
ly make us happy, there is certainly but
swer. Stand by the president. On the other hand
II the southern states are to be excluded from the
Union, the political storms before will be fear
tul indeed. If those states are to be governed
conquered provinces, we shall have all we can do
to the principle OF free government in the
north, preserve the sembiance OF republican in
situations in America. The steps which radical
men taking toward the ruin of their country
bringing them to the very edge of IdcftiS deS-
census AUerni.
But there need to lock far ahead of u.s.
the radical majority in congress has assumed a
position OF open hostility to Mr. Johnson. Amend
ment after amendment ls proposed to the consjI-
tuition. The government for which great war
has been fought, and fought successfully, is to be
abandoned, overturned, remodel led revolutonize
Impossible that this can be done and ali things go
smoothly. The commissions OF politics will De
as severe as the convu lslOns Of war. All our
terests, all our devotion to the Union and constI
tuition, all patriotism, reason, judgement
everything warns that if MIR johnson is not aus
tanned by the people, the future is darker than the
past. II there be anything IN the Eloyaity (which
certain men haue boosted, it ought to show itself
now. But there Is nothing in il, and the president
must depend on the calm judgement of the people
to sustain him in trying CRISIS.
He does thus depend he is a man of the
people, and knows them well; hence the
calm and Undated front he presents against
all the rawlings and threats of the faction who
yalnly strive TO turn him from his purpose
de leaves those who oppose him at perfect
liberty TO do so be accords them what they
deny nm, the free right of Judgement; but,
mindful OF his duties and obligations es pres
ident OF the whole people, he will never con-
cent TO be made the tool of a sectional party
From the beginning of his administration, he
has had no conceaiments; he fully and frank
| ly expresses his views on all proper occasions
pubic and private, without Obtruding them
| ana we can Imagine the ire of Thad. Stevens
aad others OF tha5 Xix that he still speaks
out, notwithstanding the omlnous warnings
Of ''ehe gentleman from Pennsvivsnia.'-
| Since the delivery of his late celebrated
speech, delegation OF influential unionists
ifom ms state, embracing portion OF the
congressional delegation, have had an inter
view with the president. Their object AS We
learn from the correspondent of the Philadel-
phia Ledger. independently, was copsulta.
ton upon the question of reconstruction, and
the conversation that ensusd on both sides
was OF the most frank and generous charac-
ter. The president did not hesitate to re as
sert, IN the clearest manner, the principles
which governed him upon the question and
ne declared that 1t was has undlterable pttr
pose to stand By them. The representatives
of the south, be said, should be admitted, and
the action OF the majority of congress in de-
nylng them representation was dweit upon
as wrong and dangerous. They should have
been admitted immediately, he continued on
the presentation of their proper credentials. |
The president was. as usual, very pleasant in
the expression of his opinions but he was
at the same time. as immovable as Gibraltar.
st Louis Republican. p
commodore -, of the navy, had, in one
OF his cruises, lieutenant under him whose |
cruelty t. the men was q source of constant |