The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-13

/ Dimity,r reach that concurrence of sentiment
! with hm they are all wrong, and their verdict,
having been Influenced by passion and preju.
dice, is not entitled to respect or weight.
The language used may Indicate this aud
nothing more. But we hope not tor 5ne pOpu-
! lar decision, just pronounced In the elections,
! seems to be entitled to much greater weight
! than such an opinion would imply. President
johnson is man of grca: drmness OF convlc-
| ton and of character. His opinions formed
| deliberately, are held with great tendcitY, and
are not surrendered lightly or readily either to
| hostile arguments or to adverse verdicts. He
unQuestiOnably believes that his views OF res
to1aton are right lust rs drmly as ne did before
the people had decided against them. That
decision cannot affect his opinions, but 1t may
very reasonably be expected to affect his action.
The popular will. in this country and under our
institutions, is substantial ana potential ele-
ment of the Government whether wise or un-
wise, Just or unjust. magnanimous or vindictive
whether inspired by passion and prejudice or
prompted solely by calm judgment and sober
Teason-it enters into the very substance of all
authority. 1t is the very essence and vital
force of the Government, and cannot be disre-
garded by any department of national power
either with safety to the public welfare or
without culpabe disloYalty to the fundamental
principles OF our institutions.
Presld int johnson is placed in a Dosition of
very great difficulty aud decacg, one from
Wnlcn nlgh moral courage and a selErelance
100 genuine and sincere Tor the indulgence of
petty passions and resentments, alone can eXtri-
N"'N A'ih' AiC Ndu DtISl-l Ill pressing MS per-
sonal convictions upon Congress ana the coun-
Try as the only true guide OF public action, and
ID resisting, with whatever power belongs to mis-
position, any other; but the only effect OF so
DONG VIII be to offend and goad into eXcesses
a legitimate authority which he has no light to
detY, and against which he cannot possibly con-
tend. lie may abandon wholly all attempts TO
control public action In this matter, and con-
tent himself with protesting against action
winch he cannot approve; but in this he simply
abnegates power which belongs 20 his office
ana throws away, under strong personal inhu-
ences, opportunities OF public service which il
Is important Tor the country that he should
embrace il seems to us clearly his right and
his duty to put himself into relations OF kindly
cooperation with the popular sentiment, as de-
yeloped and pronounced Ia the recent cleo
tCns. We 90 not mean that he should surrender
MS own opinions OF justice or OF right, or adoDt
views and purposes hostile to his personal con-
Vlcuons. We do not expect or desire him TO
advocate condScation, negro suffrage abroga.
ton OF State Governments. nor any OF the mea-
suTes which Phillips, Stevens, Boutwell,, and
others OF that school claim TO have been indorsed
by The popular verdict. Nothing OF this is either
necessary or would be wise. Nothing OF this
mas been enjoined upon the Government, in any
department, by the result of the elections.
~, But the people have decided something.
Iney, have indicated purpose and a spirit
which must he recognized and be incorporated
iuto any scheme OF public policy which
looks to the peaceful, permanent, and satisfac.
tory restoration OF the Union. They nave de-
NlolOu lutlI CODNltllOn lDdC Lle W1r, IN ltS pro-
ce5ees and results, in its effect upon social and
political organizations, in its destfUctio Of sla-
very, in its overthrow OF State claims to sove-
relgnty, IN the burdens it has imposed, tn sacr-
noes II has involved, the change It has wrought
III the temper, opinions, and aims OF the various
sections OF our common country, has rendered
imperative cert9ln corresponding changes in the
forms and fundamental provisions OF our Gov
eminent, and that these changes shall not be
made and shaped either by direct action or
under the controlling influence OF those who in
the South fought 10 destroy the Union, Or of
those who In the North gave them aid and SYM
pathy, open or tacit, or of both combined. The
people have decided that some changes in our
Institution and frame OF government must be
nade, and that they shall be made by the politi-
cal organization and by the men who stood by
the Government during the war, and carried
the country through that great struggle 10 its
successful close. To this extent the popular
verdict is explicit and unmi'takabe. President
johnson himself cannot doubt tor moment,
that, whatever else it may or may not mean, the
result OF the late elections at all events means
ms. lie may not think that the people intended
by those elections to demand, III the exact terms
of the Constitutional Amendment, precisely the
changes embodied in that resOiution-but he
cannot doubt that they did mean, and do mean,
That the substantial principles OF that amend
ment-the main ends which it proposes-the
absolute security OF civil rights to all the people
OF the United States-the equalization of Dolti- !
cal representative power in the councils OF the
exclusion for a time from office OF |
OF the Rebel debt, and the corresponding en-.
laTgement OF the legislative power of Congress,
shall be incorporated into the frame and struC.
ture OF our Government, as the essential condi
ton of its restoration.
1t seems TO us clearly the duty OF the Presi-
it is clearly for the public good
to accept this decision OF the people, and to
cooperate, not grudgingly nor cautiously, but
in spirit of wise and cordial sympathy, with
those who are commissioned to give it effect.
Such action on Ills part is still practicable, IN
spite OF the obstacles that have been thrown in
ITS way. 1t involves no sacrifice of personal or
official dienity-no surrender OF prncipe-no
unoue or unseemly conformity 10 policies
deemed unwise and perilOus TO the pubic good
On the contrary, it seems to US not only con-
sistent in every way with graceful oeierence
TO that public sentiment tor which the Presi-
dent has always pIOtessed profound respect but
TO be required By that loyal regard for the will
ot the people which is OF the very essence OF
our democratic and republican institutions.
The Important Mission of Minister
Campbell" General Sherman TO