The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1867-06-14
Tennessee and the General Government

Tennessee and the General Government.
AdYerting yesterday to Gen. Phomas's
presumed mission to Washington City, we
mentioned that Andrew johnson, on as
suming the Presidential functions, pledged
his oath that he would "to the best of his
ability, preserve, protect and defend she
Constitution of the United States.'' We
alluded also to Article ", sec. 4 of that
Constitution. which reads: ''Tho United
States shall guarantee to every State in the
Union Republican form of Government" "
From these two premises we deduced the
conclusion that Andrew Johnson, as Su-
preme Executive of the United States is
to guarantee to Tennessee as a Estate in
the Union publican form of Governs
ment.
We repeat that he is sworn so to do ''to
the best of his ability Unfortunately,
however, he has thus far developed more
ability in violating the Constitution under
the dictation of Congress, than in ''pre-
serving, protecting and defending" that
sacred instrument against the outrages of
that body. The poor man aceedes to the
latter day Radical estimate Of the Presi-
Dental Office, and degrades it by acting as
though the Executive Department were
not coordinate with the Legislative. He
contents himself with a veto, which leaves
him unable to cope with two-thirds of
Congress. 'Tis perhaps needless to re-
mind our readers that, under the Constitu-
ton he is co-equal with Congress in its en-
tirety.
Voluntarily yielding over one-third of
his constitutional power, it's no matter for
surprise that he finds himself shorn of his
liability" to "preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution of the United States" -
In consequence of this degraded veiw of
the prerogative of his department, we are
daily presented with monstrous moral ano-
maly. AS executive officer he is sworn to
maintain the United States Constitution
and laws made in pursuance thereof, IS
''the supreme law of the land" Yes. as
executive officer, he is carrying out claws
which he has officially declared to have
been made in violation ofthe Constitution
Twas natural, under these circumstan-
ces, to anticipate but little Of good result
from his recent official concern" about
affairs in Tennessee. Almost instinetively,
we disapproved of the rsmOred appeals
for bis interference in our affairs. The
event has proved that he is indeed "bro-
ken reed" The Washington correspon-
dent of the Cincinnati Commercial tells
the story as follows, under date of Tues
day:
Gen. G.. H. Thomas had another inter
view with the President to-day, in COM
pany with Gen. Grant. Gen. Thomas fur
nished a good deal Of information relative
to the condition of affairs in Tennessee and
the nomplaints made to the President by
citizens of that State relative to the ditri-
button of arms by the Government to the
militia. Gen. Thomas does not return un-
til tomorrow, and will doubtless 60 back
with full discretion in the matter of pre-
serving public peace in that State during
the exciting political campaign there.
What does this amount to ? Simply
thata military officer is to be given 'full
discretion in the political affairs of this
State. The particular military officer thus
appointed over the Sixth Satrapy happens
to be Virginia Yankee, whose every an
tecedent identifies him with Brownlow and
Brownlowism. This helpmate Of Brown
low is to preserve the public peace in the
State during the exciting political cam
paign here /. e. he is to protect Brownlow
and his militia from any possible outbreak
of just popular wrath. We thank thee
Mr.. johnson, for thy yearning interest in
our affairs We thank thee for marshall
ing Gen Thomas and his troops against US
in our struggle against home tyranny =
We thank thee for clinching upon US the
rivets of despotism We thank thee for
lubricating the intricate machinery of the
Brownlow juggernaut !--Gazetts.
AS showing the condition Of the Treas