The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-10-31
THE PRESIDENTS INTENTIONS.

PRE
Mr.. Lincoln was heroic then, and Mr..
johnson is heroic now. i am sure no
man can be sincerer in his purposes to
preserve the Constitution and save the
country than he is. No man can be
actuated by a purer patriotism, or be
more ayerse to usurpatiOn of power.
He has not violated the Constitution in
the past. He intends no infrsction of
it in the future, but he does intend n
firm and faithful performance of all the
trusts which that sacred instrument has
devolved upon him. With every dispo-
sition to be charitable toward
those who differ with me IN
opinion, il is difficult to be-
lieve them sincere in charging the Pres
ident with the intention of violently
forcing rebels into Congress and giving
them the control of the government.
What act has he ever done that gives
the slightest sanction to such charge!
Not one can be specified. He has nei-
ther transcended his own powers nor
invaded those of the coordinate de-
partments, and the only pretext for the
charge is not what he has done but what
he has said, in declaring again and
again his convictian that it was the
duty of Congress to obey plain con-
stitutional provision, and each house
for itself to judge of the elections, re-
turns and qualifications of each indi-
vidual presenting himself as a member.
Our country is in peril, in very great
peril, not from public enemy, but
from the violence Of our own passions.
Safety is to be found only in strict
adherence to the Constitution and laws.
As long as they are Obeyed, no evil can
come upon us. We are in danger only
when we attempt something they do
not sanction. ! trust it will be the
pride and glory of the friends Of the
Administration, in the threatening con-
test through which we are passing, to
keep their passions in subsection to rea-
son, and to do no act not warranted by
the Constitution and laws. Ours is q
republican Government where the ma
iority has q right to rule. Minorities
cannot, without subverting the Govern
ment, and when, according to the forms
prescribed, the will of the majority is
expressed in the Constitution or the
avs, it is the duty Of all to submit To
1t, until it can be fairly and constitu
tiionally changed.
Such I know to be the Presidents
intentions, and such know he wishes
to be the rule of conduct for his friends
and supporters. No man has profound |
er reverence for the Constitution than
he, and his purpose as the executive
head Of the nation TO maintain il as it is
until il can be changed in the form pre-
scribed by it, is firm and immutable.
He is not brave enough willfully to vi I
olate it; he is brave enough TO uphold
and defend it in all that his duty re-
quires.
In conclusion, let me beseech you,
calmly and dispassionate, but earnestly |
and firmly, to do your duty TO your
country in this trying hour, and TO
stand by our glorious Constitution as il |
is. There is no safety for US but in this.
Do your duty faithfully and trust to
God for results, and reverently implore
him to save us from the madness and
infatuation which threatens us with
self destruction and with the loss of the
last hope for the perpetuity of free gov
ernments.
Your friend and fellow-citizen,
o. II. BROWNING.