The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-24

OUTSIDE OF Jnolr departments.
Unless the system is to be changed, and new
forms of responsibility are to be introduced it
appears undesirable to familiarize the country
with the talk of the council table or the steps
which precede the Presidents final action.
The British doctrine of ministerial response
bility cannot be engrafted upon a system which
rests in many respects upon totally different
principles. Just now, we have problems
enough to solve without entering upon Exeou-
tive experiments.
RsOpeniDg of the Revolutions AIRY Contest
in COngTess-The Presidents Policy
From the Herald.
The course pursued by President Johnson
and his Administration renders it very clear
that they are prepared to renew their un-
seemly fight with Congress, and to carry it on
with increased venom and vindictiveness
This conflict between the Executive and Legis-
lative branches of the Government has been
going on for the past two years, to the damage
of the country at home and its degradation
abroad. 1t was suspended by the peaceable
and effective working OF the Reconstruction
law under the Military Commanders appointed
through the influence of General Grant and
the prevailing hope and belief were that it
had come to an end, and that Congress
having adjourned and gone home with
dQODLllR
or any of the ultra measures of the
extreme radicals, President Johnson would
faithfully carry out the law as so clearly
defined in his veto messages. But the sus-
pension of hostilites was only temporary.
The restless factions could not remain at peace
any more than the Girondists and Jacobins of
France could fraternize after the beheading of
Louis XVI. Each had ulterior views which
would not be promoted by the pacifcation of
the country under a law satisfactory to the
people. The radicals sent their missionaries
into the Rebel States to stir up mischief and
obstruct the peaceful progress of reconstruc-
tion, by building up negro party at the
South. The Johnson Copperheads have taken
bolder and more dangerous course, and in
the absence of Congress have attempted to
strike down the law by paralyzing the arms
of those who are engaged in carrying 1t into
effect
This wilful and wicked interference with the
| operation of a law which was quietly, surely,
and satisfactorily working out the ends for
| which it was enacted, will surely plunge the
/ country into more turmoil and confusion than
/ it has witnessed since the suppression of the
| Rebellion. 1t will compel the assembling of
| Congress for July session, and will open up
| a multitude of questions, personal and politi-
cal, which will serve to paralyze business, re-
awaken forgotten animosities, rekindle the
smouldering ashes of sectional strife, and keep
| suspense. Extreme men will call for the inn
| peachment and removal of the President,
and, laying his sins at the doors of the South
! ern people, will press with renewed energy
! their demands for punishment and confsca-
| tion. The most moderate will insist upon
such action as will insure the proper en-
forcement of the laws of the United
| States. The President and his advisers
have calculated upon this condition of
affairs, and are prepared for it. It is their
! plan for the prosecution of the next Presiden-
tial campaign. They have all along been
seeking to make capital by charging the Re-
pubGcans of Congress with an intention to
keep open the question of reconstruction, and
not to admit the Southern States to repre-
sentatiOn in Congress at all until after the
next Presidential election. When the Re-
construction act was passed, they advised the
South not to organize their States under its
provisions because Congress would surely
reject them after they had submitted to the
degradation of the law. They believe now
enaI they have placed matters in shape to
} Snapie them to appeal to the North in the next
lIesluential contest with more prospect Of
success than they would find in a restored
ana prosperous Union. They calculate that
Ihe people VIII be tired out by this long
procrastinatioa Of the work of reconstruction
lnaI tne AcSs OF the Military Commanders
Ol tne oou.nern districts, however legal and
necessary, are SO repugnant to all our precon.
ceived ideas OF republican form of Govern
ment that they cannot fail to affect tbe minds
of many Northern men; and thew trust in tbe
rashness of the extreme radicals in CONGRESS-
during heated summer session. 10 nronose
acts Of general confscation and other onnres.
| sive measures which may serve TO startIa and
alarm the more moderate and peaceable nor
ton of the community. AL these excitine
and dangerous elements they desire to drao
, together and cast into the approaching Presi
} dental election, in the desperate hope that il
the reign of anarchy and terror thus inaugu
rated they may manage TO seize upon the Gov
ernment. Even the martyrdom of an impeach
ment is looked to as holding out promise 70