Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-04-04

johnson, Doolittle, Raymond, Weed, Seymour,
vallandigham, A. h. Stevens, and Ex-G Gov
Aiken, was not then ripe, even if it had been
devised BY the corrupt politicians who are now
engaged in it. Yet, on the 22d Of February,
in passionate harangue to a crowd of bowling
enemies of freedom, Andrew johnson 6ercely
denounced the Congress which insisted on de-
Gliding The questions of the restoration of the
southern states for itself, as no better thar tine
traitors whose hands were yet red with the blood
Of the true soldiers Of the nation. What claim
has such validating and treacherous politician,
such shamelessly inconsistent demagogue,
upon the confidence or support of the peoplep
In September he declared that Congress mad
ultimate control over restoration, and in Febru-
airy he says they are traitors fer asserting their
that bis policy is unchanged and not only that,
but that it is the discreet and judicious policy
of his predecessor, who pledged the whole pow
of the nation to protect the long-suffering
and patient race which he rescued from slavery.
If the people convinced that this change
OF OpIlIOD-Or OF COnO4cl--in respect 10 lnt
proper method G: treating southern rebels ano
Insurgent states in the processes of restoration,
occasoned by any new aspect of the situa
ton which warranted it, or even furnished
toerable excuse for it, they would judge the
President much more charitaby. But the
President has softened toward treason. treason
mas grown more insolent an arrogant. While
ne has changed HE manners and speech so as
% win the applause of rebels, they have become
more violent in their denunci.tions of the great
Of the loyal people Of the country. bile
ne has turaed BIZ face toward the South, and
wreathed it in smiles to please unreconstructed
rebels, rebels have come to defend their great
crime only patriotic effort to sustain the
Constitution-an effort in aid of which thev
now exultngIy welcome Andrew Johnson to
their confidence and alliance. 1t is Lot a ch aDge
! 10 treason or traitors Itch has led to q change
Ia he conduct of President Johnson, bot it is
q, change in President Johnson himself. That
ms complete Abandonment of his former posi-
ION by the President has not arisen from any
ircere en- nge of opinion, but is the result OF
I partisan plan, or spiteful purpose to crush
| -ad.ng Republicans. evident from the temper
aud passion which characterized his harangue oil
\ the 22d of February, and which have in other
/ ways, aud at other times characterized his war
on the principles OF Republican party
/ This the people see and understand and While
/ the politicians for weeks and months have pre-
tended to believe in the honesty OF the Pres-
dent, the great mass of the intelligent people 0
TIE country long since surrendered all hope o
any hearty cooperation from Mr.. Johnson in
me work of giving all men equal rights. ~,
recently, he has seemed to employ, one for Re
pub leans, and The other for Democr ,ts, have
cheated very few thinking and reading men
out have only contributed to subject him h,
employed hem TO the contempt of homes
minds. Mr.. Johnson's policy since he bee ,m
President, has certainly been glaringly incon
,i,tent with itself and with his professions ant
Mr.. Johnson himself, judged by the RECORD
ne has made, cannot, except al the expense c
mis- understanding and judgment, escape con
demnalion a trickish and dishonest poliiica
demagogue.