Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-05-11


We have never regarded President John
son as the especial champion Of the South.
1t is true that he has stood as bulwarlz
against the surges of fanatical hate which
which would have overwhelmed our sunny
land but for his timely and most determined
opposition, but not especially on account of
the South did or does he oppose the huge
attempts at a central despotism. To sup
pose him influenced thus would deprive hin,
of the title of patriot and statesman which he
has 80 justly earned since he came into posi-
ton and power. On his accession to. the
Presidency he found the country just emer-
ging from vast civil war, with the antago-
nism of the past grown into seemingly I'M
conquerable hate from the contests of the past
four years, which overshadowcd with a
threatening cloud the prospects of speedy
and much desired peace. Difficulties of a
monstrous character doomed up to be over
come, and his path was bcset at every step
by obstacles real and imaginary, which would
have chilled the heart of any but the most
undaunted. With fixed and patriotic pur-
pose in view, the preservation of the Union,
he looked around for the means of accom-
plishing it and found ready to his hands the
Constitution of the United States, which had
been rolled up during our intestine struggle,
and nearly lost sight Of. He calmly I'M
rolled it, and found its bright face furnished
here and there by the mould of the last few
years, but enough of it left to preserve his
native Country and its government. Scarce
". found, ere the desire for new Constitution
shows itself in the insatiate mania for amend
ments, calculated to pervert its primitive in
tent. Backing this desire is large and pow
crful body of men, whose representatives hold
the next prominent places in the government
and whose front looks bold and threatening
as did the Austrian Phalanxes to the brave
Swiss at the ever memorable Lempach. -
With serried ranksand lances drawn this reck-
less band of men moved forward for the de-
struction of the charter of our countrys lib
erty. What remained for the opponents of
their diabolical purposes They must be
made to quail before libertys undaunted ar
ray or all is lost. In this dire extremity,
counseling calmness and nerying his then
small but trusty band of patriots by his brave
example, like Arnold Winkelricd of old, with
the cry make way for liberty" he hurled
himself upon the destroyers of his country's
Constitution, receiving their thrusts in his
own person and causing them to hesitate, wa
yer and retreat His act receives the COM
lnendation of the great and good of the land,
who desire peace and prosperity, to secure
which they have risen superior to the pas
eions of an hour.
Because the preservation Of the Constitu-
ton, for which Andrew johnson has so ear
nestly striven, would secure directly their
rights to the South, leads many to believe
him the especial defender Of our oppressed
section. We would call the attention of all
such to the fact that tho Constitution, lost
sight Of, perverted or destroyed would be
equally burdensome to every State in the
Union, and would utterly deprive them ofeve-
~ right, save what might be vouchsafed by an
unlicensed Central Government, or, more
properly speaking, Consolidated Despotism.
TO prevent this President johnson has thrust
himself forward as the defender Of the Con-
stitution, and, knowing no North, no South,
no East, no West, is battling to preserve the
liberties of the whole country. That he will
succeed, the patriotic masses Of the north raj
lying to his standard give every promise, and
while counseling his sympathizcrs in the
North to persevere in their course, we of the
South can only wish the President, and his
patriot followers, :" God speed" in their no.
BILE efforts to preserve the Constitution and
the liberties of our entire people.