The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1866-08-18
HIr. JOianson's Responsibility.

sons connection with the massacre in New
Orleans, it will be removed by roasing his
| dispatch to Attorney General Heron OF
Louisiana. This dispatch, written with the
knowledge that loyal citizens of the United
States were dying from wounds received by
a Rebel mob, assumes the full responsibility
of the deed. The policy that prompted
Mayor Monroe and his followers found its
inspiration in Washington.
This conclusion fills us with indispensable
sadness, but we cannot resist the facts 1t
is dreadful thing to arraign the President
Of the United States as being in any possible
sympathy with the unlawful shedders of
blood, but when plain fact is to be stated
the plaincst words are the best In the first
place the President recognizes a usurped
power to communicate his wishes. James
NJ. Wells is the Governor of Louisiana, and
the official representative of the State. To
him the President should have spoken, But
Gov. Wells, a duly elected governor by Rebel
votes, had called this Convention together
and the President steps over the theory Of
state nights ana SENDS ms commands to an
o'ncer OF ms Oaolnet--hlS Attorney-Oeneral
one Andrew D Herron--a conspicuous
hepeI IN the days OF treason. The Presi-
dent directs him to call upon Gen. Sheridan
LOT SaiiicIeht force to sustain the civil au-
thofiles IN SupprcSSing all illegal or unlaw-
full assemblies If the President really
oe''e'e' I""U states nave rights ana cover
Ho'" oI states prlI"egeS' lhen ms course IN
recognizing an oillcer OF Noy' We'll $ Cabl'
h'' us '"e proper authority to call out troops
Is Il ""urpauoh' what would have been SAID
II congress" hau requested Attorney-HencraI
speed to call out the troops and perform the
inquest executive luhctohS' Yet Mr. Speed
hau as much right to call out the troops OF
the Chited States as Mr.. Heron has to take
command OF the troops IN Louisiana.
This is a small point in our argument, but
1t shows the tendency of the President. His
dispatch recognizes u usurpution, and pro
ceedo to defend the massacre. All "unlaw-
tuI assemblies must be suppressed. Well,
this particuarassembly was supprcsscd-and
very ciiectuaIIy-lor its leaders were muir.
dcrcd, and those who escaped murder are
either lying in the prison or the hospital
According to the President, this Convention
had not " obtained the consent Of the people
OF the State If it at all entered into our
argument we might ask him what right had
the President to determine this fact? Gov.
" ell" thought the Convention was legal and
Us ne Is "o'eri'f' what business has IrcsI'
atht Johnson with 1t! VINO gives the Ircal'
ueht OF the United States the power to ira
verse the decision OF State Executive, or
10 decide upon the competency Of State
NohVcH'loh' would he be authorized IN
sending dispatch to General Barlow de-
caring the New DIRK Legislature to be nm
lawful ana calling upon Gen. Hooker to
"lSP'rSc It's members! According to the
resident own theory the theory that
l-o"SI"ha IS sovereign State ana her oil
GERS competent TO governor lt-he Is guilty
Oh " most migrant assumption OF executive
power
We pass beyond this theory, or indeed any
theory OF Presidential prcrogatiye. The
tacta are that certain Union mcu-conspicu-
,tIrg +L,i, 4