The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-25

The Policy of President JohnsOn-A New
Proclamation and n New Cabinet.
FROM the Herald.
We have, from time to time in the course Of
the last twelve months, urged upon President
johnson the necessity, expedlency, and advan-
fages of a comprehensive reconstruction of his
Cabinet. We have pleaded that the Cabinet
which carried the administration of Abraham
Lincoln through the war was not the Cabinet
demanded for the new issues and new ideas
resulting from a restoration of peace-that 1t is
one thing to put down great rebellion by
force of arms, and another thing to restore the
submitting States TO their proper fraternal re-
lations in the general Government. But there
have been at no time since the dreadful tragedy
which cut Off in the height of his fame and
popularity our much lamented President Lin
coin, so many facts and considerations COM
binlDg as may now be advanced In behalf of
new departure by the Administration from the
starting point OF new proclamation and
new Cabinet.
of the existing Cabinet, actively or passivey,
are committed TO President JohnsOn's policy of
Southern restoration against the policy of Con-
yress The active Cabinet members, since the
Iunture was first officially declared between the
President and Congress, have been the Secreta-
Ties of State, the Treasury, and Navy; the new
Attorney General Stansbery, and the new Post
master-General, Randall; and, ,singularly enough,
the most remarkably passive member has been
Mr., Stanton our late resolute, energetic, radical
and emphatic Secretary of War; But, actively
or passively, this Cabinet stands committed TO
the Presidents Southern policy, which we are
satisfied ought now to be abandoned in defer
ence to the manifestly predominant public sem
timent of the North. The governmental system
of the United States, national and local, rests
upon the will OF majority OF the people Re
spect Tor this sovereign authority is essential to
law and order among us, and this respect has
been prominent characteristic of Andrew
johnson, from his first election as Alderman of
little village in Tennessee TO his occupation of
the White House.
Consistency, therefore, as we'll as sound
policy on his part demands OF him a cordial
adhesion to the restoration plan OF Congress
and q new departure in support of this policy.
We have all seen enough OF the Developments
of public opinion in the North since the adjourn
1nent of Congress to convince us that the North
ern States, from Maine 10 California, will sus-
tain the Constitutional amendment Of Congress,
In view OF its conditions affecting politically the
leaders of the Rebellion and negro representa-
tion and in view of Its substantial securities in
behalf of the national treasury and national
debt and against all Rebel debts and claims for
emancipated slaves.
Upon tins strong platform OF reconstruction
the Northern Union party OF the war is now raj
lied for the coming elections for the next Con-
gress, and Vermont and Maine indicate the drift
OF these elections. Falling in with this popular
current of the North on this platform, the Presi-
dent cannot only retrieve his late misfortunes,
but he can become at once the master of the
situation, with the ratification of this new Con-
stitutiona amendment by the Southern States,
looking to him as their protector and leader
against the Northern radicals. To this end,
therefore, the Presidents most effective starting
point will be from new proclamation, new
Cabinet OF new men, identified with the war for
the Union, and harmonious in sentiment upon
this question of Southern restoration. Such
man as Charles Francis Adams, our Minister at
for n Stafn narfn
instance, be universally accepted, and from the
ranks of the Republican party and war Demo-
Gratis all the other executive departments might
be acceptably filled. The day has not yet ar
rived for the promotion of converted Copper
heads or reconstructed Southern Rebels to these
positions. The time will come for absolution to
them when the Government is made secure with
the ratification OF this essential Constitutional
amendment. General Thomas, of Virginia, that
able, tried, and trusty Union soldier, for Secre-
tsry of War, would, on the other hand, be a
good practical movement towards the restora-
tion of the South to the Cabinet
A prudent and sagacious statesman adapts
himself and his policy to the pressure OF events
and the exigencies of the day. He does net
hesitate to abandon programme when he sees
that it has become doubtful and dangerous,
nor to take new departure when it promises
an easy and decisive triumph over his adver'
saries Accordingly we urge upon President
johnson proclamation to the Southern States
in favor of the Constitutional amendment be
fore the country, and a harmonious reoreanl
ton of his Cabinet on this policy, and in view
of sound and cohesive financial system, anC
a vigorous administration of our foreign affairs