The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-08-21
The Presidency Speech.

We published yesterday morning the latest
exhibition of Executive egotism, i'll temper
andpertinacious obstinacy. Mr.. johnson again
reminds us that he has filed every Office from
the lowest to the highest, and has
nothing more 10 live for except to carry
out his policy Of reconstruction to the salts
faction Of recent Rebels and Copperheads. He
speaks Of the representatives of the loyal
North as body changing on the verge of the
Government, as it were, and called or AssuM-
ING to be the Congress of the United States"
He speaks of "the humble individual who
now stands before you," and of whom we
have repeatedly heard before in precisely the
same terms, as the representative of another
department of the Government. There is
Andrew Johnsons position in nutshell. He
believes that he represents the only legiti.
mate government now in existence; his acts,
his policy, all are full of the same assumption:
81, Andrew johnson, am the only lawful Gov
erning Power in the United States"
Some perception of the nature of this enor-
nous assumption seems at last to have reach
ed the Presidents mind, for he proceeds to
defend himself from the charge of playing the
tyrant The elements of his nature, )" he as
sures the country, have not made him agrees
i've. His nature, on the contrary, SIS rather
defensive in its character" We have heard a
great deal from Mr.. Johnson's lips about him
self, his personal history, his opinions and dis
positions. The country has been repeatedly
advised of his firmness, wisdom, patriotism,
and other virtues, such as no sage or patriot
ever claimed for himself before but the peo-
pie were not prepared for this revelation of
the mild, or not to speak unexpectedly, the
soft side of the Presidents character. 1t ap-
pears that this terrible Tennessee lion, is not
a lion at all, but bless you only Snug the join
er, or more literally A. johnson, tailor. 1t
was goose which saved Rome, and Mr.. john
Son, who is familiar with Roman history, hay-
ing repeatedly called attention to the fine his
torical parallel between his own attitude and
the position, of the Roman Trbunes of the
People, is inspired by the tradition peculiarly
impressed upon his mind by its professional
susgestionl to believe that he is destined to
save the American Republic by kissing and
eaekling on the steps OF the White House
All, Mr.. johnson! the Union was saved by
other means The men who stood on the
perilous edge of battle during those weary
years, the communities which Loyalty upheld
them, are all represented in that Congress
which you have all along treated and have at
last deliberately spoken of as ASSUMING to
be the Congress of the United States" That
Congress represents the strength and deter
mination which conquered peace, and which
will insist upon lasting peace. If passing
from reasonable words to acts, you lay hands
OF violence upon those representatives, be well
assured that the limit of usurpation will have
been reached and passed, and gulf awaits
you Oh the other side deeper than the abyss
of infamy into which your prisoner at Fortress
Monroe has fallen. The people listen calmly
enough to the suggestions of your counsellors.
Over and over again they have heard from
Northern and Southern speakers and writers
the transparent hints about Cromwell and
the Rump Parliament. At last they hear the
authority of THEIR Congress called in ques-
ton by yourself, by you, lately member Of
the same Congress! 1t is time for plain talk.
If you are neditating acts in harmony with
your words, remember that the day which
dawns upon your coup d'etat, will before it's
close envelope you and all who hold with you
in the darkness of swift and measureless dis
aster. To no one man, were he Solomon Of
wisdom and Nestor of suave eloquence,
would the people OF these States entrust thei..
liberties. The Congress of their chosen rep
resentatives may err; but the appeal lies to
new Congress, selected by the same people,
aud not to any body which YOU may see fit to
select for recognition. e. -. =