Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-02-27
VIEWS OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON

Governor Cox, OF Ohio, has written q letter
giving the particulars of an interesting inter-
view held with President johnson on Satur-
day, in which the President gave his views ON
the situation with characteristic frankness and
straightforward good sense. His statements
will serve to put at rest the silly idea started
by the radicals that Andrew johnson, after
lifelong devotion to the Union, is now, at the
moment OF the triumph OF the principles for
winch ne has sacrificed so much, preparing to
desert to the hopeless rebel cause The Presi-
cent said that his policy had simply arrived at
the earliest possible restoration of peace on the
basis OF loyalty. As no Congressional plan had
been adopted, when he entered upon the duties
OF his office he was obliged to adopt one Of his
own, which was, in one sense, that of Mr.. Lin
coin Congress had no just ground of COM
plant that he had done so, as they had not
seen fit to declare their views. Military
governments could not long be tolerated and
not to restore the late rebellious States to
their proper position would be an admis-
sion of the failure of the Administration
and Of the party which had carried through
the war, and bence the necessity OF adopting
policy which would restore civil government
fully, just as soon the rebellion should be
thoroughly ended. lie was not opposed to the
Freedmens Bureau in toto, for he had used it,
and was still using it; it might continue for n
period more than year yet, and he would say
TO the people of the South that 1t depends upon
themselves whether the bureau shall be dis
continued at an earlier day, as he would put
IN end to il as soon they by proper action
for the protection OF the freedmen make 1t I'M
necessary. His idea and policy was to stimu-
late loyalty to the General Government
throughout the late rebeiiious States, and
wheHeyer they show a peaceful and law
abiding condition martial law shall be removed
The conditions required by the President
having been complied with, he regards his plan
as success, and not a failure, and conse-
quently had recognized the several depart
ments Of the Government therein, and all the
Executive departments recognized them as
states IN the Union. But one thing
manned in which the late rebellious States
did not exercise the full rights OF States
representation in Congress. He would
admit all such Representatives rs are i'm fact
loyal men and none others He did not ask TO
be the Judge OF qualIfi cations, or election or
loyalty, OF members of Congress. as Congress
was ITS own judge, and he had no intention OF
interfering with their constitutional right. If
disloyal men and rebels every where should
give in their adhesion TO his policy of restora-
ton, he thought it was precisely what Loyal
men would rejoice in, as by thus committing
themselves now it would diminish the opposi-
ton Of the disloyal in the future. The more
they were committed TO such 4 course the bet
ter he would like 1t; for if they We're not sincere
they would at least diminish their power of
dangerous opposition in the future His whole
heart was with the body of true men who had
carried the country through the war, and be
earnestly desired to maintain a cordial and
perfect understanding with them. This senti-
ment and purpose he regarded AS entirely
consistent with determined opposition to the
he believed, would keep the country in chaos,
till absolute ruin might come upon us.