Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-09-28
PRnsIDENT JOHNSON IN ENGLAND
BRITISH OPINION OF HIS SPEECH TO THE
PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION
DELEGATES


From the London News 4 xriqr Hall orgau) sept a.
Mr.. johnson has expressed his
satisfaction at the result Of the Convention
IN a speech which we reported Yesterday
LIKE most other speeches OF Mr.. johnson.
IL Is not calculated to advance the interests
ol MS party III the estimation of the Northern
people. Mr. johnson is not happy in his
puDllc appearances. His egotism runs awav
WIN MIN, his temper gets the better OF him.
and he seems utterly TO forget the executive
olhcer OF the national will in the mouthpiece
OF political party. Nothing could we'll be
more improper than the reference TO Con-
gress, and to the laws which it is his duty to
execute, in his last speech.
10 speak of Congress as changing on the
verge Of government as ga body called or
assumed to be the Congress of the United
states; but in fact Congress of only part of
tne states, " is to use the language of the
Nohlederacy itself, and is not merely bad
TASTE IN an officer elected by only part of the
states, but is in sense if not in fact, usurpa-
ton. MIR johnson may believe that he and
ms party are moving under a proper in
splratlon;' but the inspiration is not of "Di-
vine providence" " as he asserts, but that OF
MS own will. And though he accuses Con-
gress OF "encroaching step by step on CON
suluuonal rights, and OF violating day after
day, and month after month, the mndamen-
tai principles of the Constitution, ," the en-
croachment is really on his own part, and
INC violation of the Constitution consists in
ms own attempt as merely executive and
informing olticer to COerce the Legislature
IL is scarcely possible to believe that MIR.
johnson could have ventured, except under
excitement which rendered him practically
Irresponsible to speak of Congress as n body
hanging on the verge of the Government.
II anything can open the eyes of the Nor
tnern people to the very dangerous position
MIR, johnson IS taking it will certainly be
such an expression as this. 1t was bad
enough for Mr. johnson to set himself up as
the great "reconstructor" of the Union, but
TO assume to be greater than Congress, and
TO treat Its refusal TO act under his direction
as violation OF the Constitution, is 10 make
long step towards irresponsible authority
Mr., Johnson's speech really reveals the ami
mus of his policy, 1t disentangles the ques-
tion now before the people for decision of
much irrelevant matter. II sets the real is
sue much too clearly before them for Mr..
Johnson's own interest Is Congress or the
President to be the esupreme cgislativepo power?
Is the veto TO be considered as setting the
President above Congress, or as merely Co
ordnating him with ii by giving him power
to restrain legislation, and to ask for
second vote on any measure which he dis
approves?
Is Congress or the President to he the su-
preme judge Of what is due to the needs Of
the country and the welfare OF all the States.
Mr.. johnson practically attempts 10 usurp Il
cOerciYc power, and we can conceive of moth
ing more disastrous to the Union than that
the people should indorse his claims. If
Congress, as representing them, is not to
decide the terms of readmission for the Sc
cedod States, but il the President is TO go to
the door of Congress and demand that read
mission on terms prescribed only by himself,
the result of the civil war will have not been
the Strengthening of the legislative and
strengthening of the Executive functions.
We recommend the people of the loyal States
to be on their guard on this matter, for the
power of the Presidency is with them now
what the power of the Crownonce was with
us, when celebrated resolution declared
that it "had increased, was increasing, and
ought 10 be diminished"