The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-02-16
The Presidents Position.

UoUt UOuUSUl W lllt AAiiAiANAtN 49, az
lions that called on him last week the
country is fully informed Of his opin-
ions upon the important subjects
which now so absorb the public mind
While we do not assent to all the ut
+erances of the President, we never
theless cannot but admire his frank
ness and earnestncss We arc not Of
those who believe that lie will sell his
party and throw himself into the
hands Of the copporheads. His every
net of life contradicts this; and he
must be aware that Icy such course
he has everything to lose and nothing
to gain On this point we quote what
he said to a prominent member OF
Congress with whom he had free
conversation on Saturday, concerning
his remarks to the negro delegation.
The Congressman said that "some
persons might take, or profess to take,
the Presidents speech as an indication
that he was at variance with his party
friends and that some others might
endeayor to found upon it the charge
that he was preparing to go over" TO
which Mr.. Johnson replied; If the
party which opposed his election in
dulged in any great expectation on
that score, they were likely to be dis
appointed. He might differ with in
diyiduals of what is called the Union
party rs to tie means to be used, but
he considered himself in general ac-
cord with that party, as u whole, in
the ends to be reached. He was not
party man, and he meant to sink
the partisan in the patriot. Bat SO
far as he understood the sentiments
of the Union party, he was in general
accord with it. This certainly is plain
language, and we do not see how II
can be interpreted otherwise than &
firm avowal to stand by the party
which elected him. Such men a,
Thad. Stevens--and we rejoice that
their number is no larger-arc deter
mined to read him out OF the party
but we DO not believe they Will sue
coed in this any more than they vii
in the accomplishment Of their othe
wild and extromc radical projects.
That President johnson is honcst i
his idea Of reconstruction it seems t
us there can be no doubt He
anxious that the South and the Mort
should be united on the most friendl
terms, Much fault and we DO NJ
say unjustly-has been found Wi
him because of his leniency towarC
those who attempted TO break up Il
Union and the Government, but
exercising this leniency he is only 70
lowing i'll the footsteps of his illu
trious predecessor whose death ca
such n gloom throughout the natio
With all this leniency however, Il
President does not propose to allie
the Southern States TO be represcnt'
at Washington unless they send IN
who have been loyal in the past N
are SO now. His remarks to the r
Sroes have been much criticised a
do not meet the approval of many
his party friends; but if we arc
believe his words-and there is
reason why we should not--be is
friend Of the colored race if he is c
posed to universal suffrage. L
charge that the President is seeki
n reelection is entirely done away
his declaration TO the Montana delee
ton whom he told in substance
did not wish or expect a re-nominatiC
We think it is the earnest desire
Mr.. Johnson to do right, according
his convictions of right and wrol
1t is to be regretted that he and c.
gress do not agree better but let
hope that this difference will not res
in serious collision and that the VIC
of reconstruction may so on harmo
ously to a successful termination.
Der The Memorial Service in Lnr