The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-04-05

as real estate, because sfser the government
and city taxes are paid the interest on the
money is not more than three per cent. AT the
present enormous rates OF rent real estate can
bear the tax and leave large margin Of in
terest beside. These heavy investments in
real property we regard as wholesome sign
that the people have abiding faith in the per-
Of the government and institutions Of
the country. They are perhaps the best guar
antees also Of our constantly increasing pros
perity.
Prcsi dent Johnson's Principles and HIS
Policy.
1t has recently become the fashion in certain
circles to speak Of the Nusurpations" Of the
President Persons who seem to derive their
opinions exclusively fom the editorials of
radical journals or the speeches of radical
members Of Congress are very fond Of using
this term "usurpation"s whenever they have
occasion to refer 10 the Presidents vetoes.
The bad example Of misrepresentation set by
Mr.. Thaddeus Stevens, when he declared that
the expression of an opinion by the President
In regard to the expediency of constitutional
amendments was an offence that would have cost
British king his head, has found foolish imi-
tators among those who are too careless or too
unintelligent to judge for themselves as to the
principles and the policy of the President We
will undertake to say that no sensible man
can attentively peruse the few State papers
promulgated by President Johnson since his
accession to office without realizing the fact
that we have never had a Chief Magis-
trate less likely to usurp doubtful
powers, and more willing to surrender
all chances Of personal and political aggran-
dzement to his strict sense of duty, Of justice
and of honor. AS for his vetoes, moments
consideration will convince even the most igno-
rant that it was not only his right but his duty
to issue them. The constitution of the United
States, which he has sworn to obey and defend,
com mands him to veto laws of which he does
not approve. President Johnson's principles
are strictly constitutional; his policy is that OF
the constitutions; and we venture to assert that
this country has never had President, since
the time of Washington, who conforms more
completely to the letter and the spirit of that
GLORIOUS CuuTCeT Vi our NDcrLcS
The conduct Of the President has been
consistent from the very first, in small
matters as we'll as in great. A number
of persons in this city purchased car
rage and pair of horses and offered them
to him, but he refused to accept them. Whyf
Other officials, other Presidents. had accepted
such gifts. No one would probably have CEN
sured him had he done the same But he could
not reconcile this conduct with his ideas Of
right, and the whole country commended his
course. Summer came; the White House was
very unhealthy; many friends advised the Pre-
sdent to retire to the Soldiers Home, public
building in salubrious location near WASH
hington. Again President johnson refused.
Why! Other Presidents had occupied that
building, and not word would have been
uttered against him had he chosen to remove
thither. But he knew that the President had
no right to occupy public edifce designed
for other uses, and he preferred to run the
risk of the miasma rather than violate bis con-
science. These may be considered small mat
ters; but they are the opponents Of great prin-
ciples We mention them, not to cast any UNI
kind reflections upon those of President John
sons predecessors who thought and felt and
acted otherwise, but simply to show the sim
certify of the character and the consis-
tency of the conduct Of this Chief
Magistrate. When he comes to deal with
great issues it is in precisely the same way.
The Freedmen's Bureau bill gave him unlimited
power. Under it he could have dispensed an
| immense additional patronage. Thousands OF
| new offices would have been created for him to
I'LL. The Civil Rights bill still further in-
creased his influence by authorizing him TO
| appoint another army Of officials. If he had
signed these bills he could have controlled the
| politics of the country; he could have secured
his reelection to the Presidency as often as he
pleased, and he could have transformed this
republic into despotism in course Of time
| The opportunity was In bis bands. The grea
republican party was urging him to take
advantage Of it. What did this ''usurper" do
| He vetoed the bills; he refused 10 accept th'
increased power and patronage, and he ap
| pealed to the country against the reckless
radicals and in favor Of the old government
and the oldlconstitution.
Take any other acts Of President Johnson
recent career and they but illustrate NOR
strongly the Same points. His quarrel wit
he radicals is simply matter of principle
Tor his merely sclhsh interests would hav
dictated contrary course. Suppose be ha
done all that Senator Sumner and Mr.. That
deus Stevens desired, how warmly they woul
have eulogized him. how pleasant would hav
been the relations between him and Congress
how smoothly and comfortably we shout
have glided into the abyss OF destruction
II Preside johnson had been selG.
man, an -ombitious man, man Of q
pcdieney, he could probably have secured b
reelection, AZ other Presidents have done;
L 4 = q 4 :. =