The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-15
The Next PIesidency-Mr. JOhnson's Posi-
ion-The Rad cal Oh ase Movement.

From the Herald.
President Johnson is not candidate for the
succession. The summit of his ambition he
has publicly declared, has been reached. His
personal aspirations are satisfied. He has now
no desire as public man beyond the consum-
nation of the work of restoring the Unon $50
that we can once more proclaim peace and good
will among all the people OF the United States"
He is thus free to sink the partisan in the patriot
and this is the line of policy which he as
adopted and is now pursuing. He stands, in
reference to the Presidential succession, as Abra-
ham Lincoln stood at the end of the first year
of his administration. MIR. Lincoln was not a
candidate for another term, and at that time it
was generally supposed among the rank and
ne OF the party who elected HIM that there was
hardly chance of his becoming a candidate.
But as the war went on, enlarglng in its proper
tons until it became manifest that there could
be no Union and no peace short OF the suppress
sion of the Rebellion by force of arms aud the
extinction OF African slavery, the reelection of
Lincoln came to be regarded as the only course
of safety to the loyal States
His claims were opposed by most of the Re
publican leaders and by the leading Republican
journals East and West, and this opposition
continued down to the Baltimore Convention OF
1864. He was the favorite of the masses OF the
parry, however, and thus, without an effort, all
the welllaid opposition schemes of his Secretary
"
Of Fremont and his radicals, we're broken up.
The party State conventions held in reference
to the national gathering at Baltimore one after
another, showed that Mr.. Chase and all the
other leaders desirous OF change had been
counting without their host, and that their
mtTigues against Lincoln's popularity were so
feeble as to be contemplate. His own illustra-
ton, that the people of the loyal States did not
think it sale to swap horses while crossing 1,
flooded river, was the ruling popular idea. n
other words, the people thought II best not to
change their experienced pilot at the helm for
new and inexperienced one while the ship was
struggling among the breakers.
Upon that one all-absorblng and allsuficIent
idea, the suppression OF the Rebellion, Mr.. Lin
coin secured his denomination and reelection.
President johnson now, I'm regard 10 the success
sion, stands, we have said, as his predecessor
stood at the close OF his first year in the White
House. Mr.. johnson is not a candidate for an
other term; but circumstances, as in the case Of
Lincoln and as in the case OF Jackson, may over
rule him. His reconstruction policy may make
him the candidate OF the Administration party
IN 1863 But, instead OF a single and alt.ab5orb.
ing issue in this next contest we shall have
! several important issues on the negro question,
! the money question, and upon questions Affect
! ing our foreign policy.
Chief Justice Chase may still be considered
! the Presidential champion OF the Republican
| radicals. Upon the negro question: his co.
laborers in Congress are carefully planting their
| stakes to hold their ground against the old pro-
slavery elements OF the country. How far they
|
ence only can tell. Upon the money question
powerful system, OF poht cal machinery mas
been established which 1t will be difficult 10
shake before the Presidential election OF 1872,
assuming that neither Mr.. MCulloch nor Con
gre.s meantime will attempt impossIbllities.
Opon the shaping OF all these issues in connec
ton with the work OF Southern reconstruction
and restoration, will depend the candidates
and the issues Tor the next Presidency.
President johnson, rs the champion of a new
conservative Union party, NAV be set up ol
another term. Chief Justice Chase, as the oandt
date of the Republican radicals and money
changers, may be set up In opposition to John
son. But what OF the army What of tue mil
lion Of Union soldiers returned from the war
and the hundred thousand sailors Of the navy
What can be done with them, should they set uI
the army and navy ticket OF Grant and Farra
gutY This is question worthy the attentiy
consideration OF politicians on ali sides. In an
event, President johnson is right as he stands
and will be supported by the country in regar
to his reconstruction policy, and all the NOR
! cordially because of his emphatic disclaimer Q
any design OF desire for another term of office.