Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-10-02
THE KNOXVILLE WHIG.
Knoxville. Tenn.- Ocfoher p IaR7-
The PeOnle.

Beneath all the political excitement, the dangers
which we fear, and the evils which we know, there
ls profound element Of permanent security upon
which the country rests. The Presidents threats
shake the surface, but the depths are undisturbed
The lawful method Of reconstructon is met by
pr0clamatons intended 10 restore plans repeatedly
repudiated by the country gold rsCa to IA. Sher-
iian and Sickes arc removed, and the act is an
swered by the indignation CT the people But no
panic followers-no doubt Of the result is felt Our
bonds are not deprecated, and in Europe the de-
mand for them is steady the demand for bread
stufls The farmer pauses in the furrow TO hear Of
new Presidential usurpations and then lays his hand
again TO the plow. The mills and factories do not
pause everywhere is the hum Of industry new
railroads are projected commerce ebbs and flows
with the tde the crops garnered, and the fields
TILED anew. The business of the country is affected
by political dangers but the injury is slight in com
parison. The blow is heavy but it falls lightly
Yet this general peace and serenity Of the people
exist while the country is threatened with a new
revolution. The politics Of the United States are
to-day in more dangerous state than those Of any
other nation in the world. If in any South Amer
lean State or even in France the executive officer
should dare 10 do what Mr. johnson has done and
The elements Of disorder should be strong and ac-
tive they are here, two weeks would not pass be-
fore 3 dozen armies headed each by a self-pro-
claimed Dictator, would be marching upon the cap
Ital. But Mr.. Johnsons example srouses no armed
opposition; half million of soldiers have melted
into the population, but no power but that of the
Government can make them soldiers again. This
absolute peace is not the result Of indifference or
ignorance; the people know the dangers of the
country, but also know how they to be met
That Mr. johnson opposes their will ard seeks 10
overthrow their principles the people perfectly un-
derstand and they feel all the evils that his coufsa
produces; but they have learned that their prnci-
pies are ndestructbe and that their will is rress-
tble. They are calm because they are strong. They
never dream Of TesOrtng 10 an arbitrary exercise of
power because they know that by the constitutional
and peaceful methods everything can be accom-
pshed. Gen. Grant has recently been praised for
his moderation in not making himself Dictator but
doubtless one knows better than he that that is
the one Office which is impossible 10 reach in our
Republic 1t exists only in the visions of lunatic
We ali understand that any usuTpation of the Pres
ident any conspiracy. can be subdued by the civil
OF military powers lodged in the Government by
The Constitution. We have put down the rebellion,
and can deal with its results The people have
earned their faith in themselves, and never had q
better right TO believe in the strength Of the Re
public Democracy has been tested and needs nc
other test for centGres. 1t has been prosperous in
peace Of seventy years and has triumphed over
its greatest danger-the war of brothers against
brothers Our victory was gained by terrible sacri-
fees it is used with unexampled moderation we
believe that under other form Of government
could four millions Of slaves have been liberated BY
force the rebellion Of five bundrcd thousand citi
zons subdued without resulting in despotism or al
oligarchy.
The quiet and confidence Of the people is the bes
proof Of the security of the country. 1t may SUI
some men TO predict panic and financial ruin, bu
there is no fear that the future will be worse thar
the past and every reason to believe that in riddn
ourselves Of slavery we have established the Repub
Hc upon foundations which nothing but the SLOW
changes Of centuries affect. The people wi
proceed TO ultimate victory through peaceful meanl
The laws of Congress viii be enforced; if any off
GER military civil, disobeys them, he will be pun
ished. We have only TO continue TO be firm an
moderate TO obtain the full triumph Of our primo
pies and the defeat Of every man or measure this
oppress them.-Ne0 York Tribune.