New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-01
PREsEDENT JOHNsON's REsPONsI-
RHI,ETH

PRESEDENT LOENSONS
BILITY,
Ifanv doubt existed as to President Johnsons con-
necton with the massacre in NewOrleans, it will be
removed By reading bis dispatch to Atorney-General
Heron Of Louisiana. This dispatch. written with the
knowledge that loyal citizens Of the United States
were dying from wounds received by Rebel mob,
assumes the full responsibility Of the deed. The
policy that prompted Mayor Monroe and his followers
found its inspiration in Washington
Thi, conclusion fills US with inexprcssblo sadness,
but we cannot resist the facts. 1t is dreadful thing
to arragn 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
planest words are the best In the first place the
President recognizes a usurped power to communicate
bis wishes. James N. Wells is the Governor Of Lou!-
siana and the official representative Of the State. To
him the President should have spoken But Gov.
Wells. duly elected governor By Rebel votes,
had called this Convention together and the
President steps over the theory Of State
Rights. and sends his commands to an officer
of his Cabiuet-his Attorney -General-one Andrew
$ Herron--a conspicuous Rebel IL the days Of
treason The President directs him to call upon Cen
Sheridan for Sufficient force to sustain the civil au
thores in suppressing ali Illegal or unlawful assem-
blies" If the President really believes that States
have rights, and Governors Of states privileges
then his course in recognizing an officer Of Gov
Weiss Cabinet the proper authority to
call out troops is a usurpaiion. What would have
been said if Congress had requested A.orueyGcnera
Speed to call out the troops and perform the highest
executive functions. Yet Mr.. Speed bad as much
right to call out the troops Of the United States as
Nj Heron has 10 take command Of the troops in
Louisiana.
This is a small point in our argument, but il shows
the tendency OF the President He dispatch recognizes
a usurpa,ion aud proceeds to defend the massacre.
All unlawful assemblies must be suppressed.
Well. this particular assembly was suppresscd-and
very efFrctualy-for its leaders were murdered. and
those who escaped murder either lying IN The
prison or the hospital. According 10 'bc President,
th Convention had not obtained the consent Of the
people Of the State" II it at all entered into our
argument we might ask him what right had
tho President 10 determine this fact! Coz.
Wells thought the Convention was legal aud as he
is Governor, what business has President johnson
with III Who gives the Prcsileu, Of the United
States the power to traverse the decision Of state
Executive, or TO decide upon the competency Of
State COuveulionl Would he be authorized m send
inc q dispatch TO General Barlow declaring the New
York Legislature to be unlawful, and calling upon
Gen. Hooker 10 dEper-c its members According 10
the Presidents own thtorytho theory that Louisiana
ia sovereign State and her officers competent 10 gov
ern t--hr guilty OF a most fragrant assumption Of
executive power.
We pas. beyond this theory, indeed any theory
Of Presidential prerogatiye. The facts are that GER
tain Union mcn--conspicuous for their loyalty during
wears Of war-haye been murdered by Rebels, who
were conspicuous for treason in years of war. The
men who did the deed are enabled TO show warrant
for their crime from the President Of the United States
When Gov Brownlow asked for troops to compel tho
obedience Of Executive commands, and TO protect the
Legislature in its legislative power he petuantly
refused. In Tennessee the majority was loyal, and
the President threw bis influence with tie
minority. In Louisiana the majority was Rebel, ard
the President not only sustained it, but placed in o
hands the army of the United States. If it was right
20 refuse aid 20 Brownow in seeing that " thclaw and
the Constitution were sustained, and thereby peace
and order" then it was wrong to refuse aid to Gov
Wellg and his Convention. If that Convention Was
unlawful there were remedies in the Supreme Court
We have had a dozen Fenian Conventions in the last
year-all unlawiul-as organizing war upon irchdl!
power. The President permitted them to assemble,
and sent no troops to disperse them Why make an
exception Of loyal men in Louisiana, who at the very
worst. and accepting as truth the charges of the
President were no more Illegal than the Senate Of the
Fenian Brotherhood
Il is folly to use soft phrases in speaking of this
appalling crime. The policy Of Andrew johnson
engendered the demon fury which has shed blood
in the streets of the Crescent City. His statesman
ship has once more raised Rebel flags u New
Orleans His construction Of Presidential duty
has led him to commit act Of direct usurpation
in Louisiana. His oath to protect and defend the
nation finds expression in the unayenged aSsasslna-
ton of men whose loyalty was as conspicuous and
selfdenying and sorey tried as his own All that we
have gained By the war to this that IN LOUIS
lana an ustrous General of the Union army is com
PEELED TO accept the orders Of notorious punished
Rebel. The time has come for the people TO speak
and let it be in tones so distinct and unmlSakaole
that even Andrew johnson will not dare 70 di'obey
he warning