Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1867-10-02
MisttlIantous Staaing.
Z H e G q q S HH.

we are III tne midst OF crisis, on the
event Of which depend the future peace
and prosperity of the nation. Hardened
by the fierce vicissitudes of the last six
years. We look on alphabetically while the
republican institutions in which we glory
are endangered, and We watch with Ian,
guid curiosity condition of affairs which,
ten years since, would have convulsed the
whole country with the widest agitation
The CO ordinate branches of our Govern
ment are at variance. BY fatal error,
the National Legislature has left TIE field,
for the time, in the power Of the Execu-
tive, and a faithless President is making
the most of the opportunity. The laws
of the land are left unexecu,ed, or are
boldly set aside at the despotic will of a
single man, who, blinded ty ambition, and
surrounded by such satellites as Binckley
Jeremiah Black, and Montgomery Blair
seeks to convert representative govern
ment into dictatorship, and who scarcely
wells his purpose to rule or ruin. Eager
to reap the full benefit Of his apostasy, the
Democratic party is straining every nerve
to get once more into power, that it may
renew its old alliance with Southern reb-
els, and reconstruct the Union as nearly
after the old pattern as is possible. All
the burdens left Us by the war are skill
fully taken advantage of to persuade the
un,hiuking that Democratic rule alone
can restore the blessings of light taxes
low prices, aud specie currency. Every
local question is turned to account, where
passion or prejudice can be worked upon
Every art. which the furious lust Of pow
er and of the spoils of Office can suggest,
is eagerly put in practice to gain votes on
specious pretexts. The results We see in
Maine and California.
What, then, are we doing in this peril,
Gus copjuncture Exhausted by the la
bors and the sacrifices of the last six years,
serenely confident in the justice of our
cause and the triumph of our arms, We SUI
pinely wait to see power pass into the
hands of the enemies of our great caus',
that they may uullify all the results of
our triumph. Petty local questions, of
importance, are sufficient to
divert us from considering the ovcrwhelu:-
ing issues at stake. We pause 10 think
whether an individual is all that we would
have him to be, before we can bring our
selves to vote for him, when that individ-
ual is as nothing himself, and we would
only look upon him, whether worthy or
as personifying, for the mo-
ment, the great principles for which We
have willingly sacrificed half million of
lives and countless millions of money
In these supreme crises of a nations fate,
individuals are nothing but the instru-
ments with which We work aud bad
used 20 good end, may be a
times preferable to a good liz
strument used to bad end. Let not ap-
athy or passing disgust paralyze us IN the
hour of our triumph, until the fruits of
success turn TO ashes on our lips.
For let us calmly consider what it is
that lies before US in the immediate fu-
ture. We have Congress which has
been gallantly struggling for double pur-
pose-to secure the results of the war iu
"A durable peace and permanent uni6cation
o: the country, and, a: the same tine, to
preserve the legislative power of the peo-
pie through their chosen representatives.
On the other hand We have a President
whose native subserviency to the old oil
sarchic a1d rebel element of the South
has led him to quarrel with .he party
which placed him in power; whose vio-
lent passions and narrow mind made him
the tool of adroit and reckless schcmers !;
who gathers around him, by natural af-
Unity, the worst elements from every see
lion; and whose temper, inAamed by the
opposition of Congress to his will. is evi-
iently prepared to commit any action
which would give him temporary advan-
age over his antagonists, at the cost Of
the whole country into confusion.
These differences between the Execu>
i've aud the Legislature, involving not
'nly the policy Of the country, but the
fundamental structure Of its government,
re rapidly approaching crisis. Twelve
months SINCE, Mr.. Johnson con:ented him
elf with stigmatizins Congress as body
hanging upon the verge Of the govern
neut." Six months ago, when vetoed
,ills were passed by the constitutional two
Airds, he pledged himself to carry chem
nto execution. Now, he is no longer con-
ent with nullifying the laws by indirec-
ion and by sophis;ically arguing away
heir plain intent and purpose, but he
,oldly sets them at nausht, and exercises
powers which have been specifically with
leId from him. Congress has earnestly
ought to avoid the issue which he is
orcing upon US. but no ingenuity can
onger delay it. Mr.. Johnson and his
Democratic and rebel allies see this aud
re prepared for it. Already his friends
re circulating mysterious whispers of d
oap-de etat; his leading organ Of the press
resumes to doubt whether the Fortieth
congress will ever reassemble the air is
hick with threatening rumors the gold
market, that sensitive barometer, presages
he coming storm staguation in trade
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