The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-07-06
A JOHNSON PARTY,

The idea Of forming Johnson party, II
seems, is still entertained. The initiatory
steps taken at Washington, in the establishing
Of Johnson clubs, were not very encouraging t;
nor have the Johnson meetings in various
sections of he country developed any entllllsi-
asm in the support Of the peculiar policy of
tho President. On the contrary there has
been evident, to the most casual observer of
political signs, steady increase Of confidence
In the policy Of the republican party as dis
closed by the course of the congressional ma
jority, aud determination to sustain the
measures Congress has inaugurated. There
is, it is true, with this, a manifest Discrimination
to widen the breach between the President
and the majority in the National legislature, If
not wish to bridge over or fill up the chusm.
In spite, however, Of previous failure, and
of the discouragng signs Of the times, the
executive committee Of tho National Union
Club, in Washington, has issued call for a
National Convention, TO be held ut Philadel-
phia on the Il Of August. This body is to
consist of two delegates, ut least, from each
Congressional district, two from each Terrific
~, two from tho District Of Columbia, and
four at large from each State. The object of
this convocation in dog-,lays, during the chol-
cru season, and in Philadelphia, is to "tako
measures to avert possible dangers;" or In
other words, to form party which shall sus-
tain President Johnson's restoration.
The moving spirits Of this new enterprise
arc Senators Doolittle, Dixon and Cowan, and
the result of it can be nothing more than to
keep these, and other even smaller men, some.
what prominent before the public. We do
not doubt that the needful delegates can be
secured, to brave the perls md discomforts
of pilgrimage to Philadelphia in the sultry
heat of August but they will comprise the
majority of the Johnson party, in very many
Of the districts they undertake to represent.
The new party will turn out to be as meagre
in numbers us the celebrated Tyler Guard +;
efficient II may be in directing the distribution
of executive patronage, but with no power to
change the current ofpolitical affairs. It will
be party, conveniently small, where every
member can have an office.
Possible dangers, indeed! What are they
The chief danger, in the apprehension of these
Johnson men, seems to be- that there shall he,
what the people imperntively demand, re-
construction, and not simply restoration, of
the Union. II is danger, in their eyes, for
the constitutional amendment to be adopted /;
There is danger in Congress doing, what the
President did not scruple to do, prescribe con-
ditions to the restoration OF the lately rebel
States to their full political relations with the
Union there is danger to the stability Of the
government in keeping any State longer rep.
resented. Tho call Is eloquent upon State
rights; but not word upon Stn.e wrongs.
The war IL ended, slavery abolished, the
Union virtually restored to its pristine integri-
~; and now, there remains nothing to be
done, but to welcome back to seats in Con.
gress, the men who have been seeking for
five years to destroy the government, and who
very bluntly tell Us that they regret nothing
but their failure. This is the very kernal OF
the Presidents policy and it is to form apar-
" which shall sustain it, that his friends arc
in such hot haste to call convention.
We can suggest no possible objection to
this new trial to inauguratc new political
party. Il will be only another ridiculous fail.
up. A new party will be formed. a party
worthy the name Of party and not Of faction.
not when score or two Of malcontcnts and
schemers attempt it, but when the people,
dissatisfied with the grand Union party, shall
demand IL; and not till then. There is no
evidence of such dissatisfaction now; and
this somewhat pretentions and snowy pro,
gramme of an executive committee will END
only in making moro conspicuous tho attach
ment Of the people to the political organtza'
ton that placed Andrew Johnson In power,
when II was supposed he would carry out ID
Prineiplea-.MB b. Meresuy.