Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-08-16
The Suspension Of Secretary
Stanton.


Justice who, having attempted to dis
pose of case beyond his jurisdiction,
was told by one of the counsel:
" why, you can't do that, your
Honor" Cant do it ?" said he,
|" don't you see | hare done it ?" So
President Johnson, in one sense, GER
tainly can suspend Secretary Stanton
from his duties as head of the War
Department, because he has done it.
But when we come to the question of
his legally and rightly doing it, we
find altogether a different state of
things. He has get got to convince
the United States Senate that Secreta-
ry Stanton has been guilty of official
misconduct or crime, or has become
incapable or legally disqualified to
perform the duties of his Office
Now Mr.. Johnson has already, in
times past, attempted some pretty for
midable exploits. He tried to con-
vince the freedmen that he was their
I" Moses" to guide them to their pro-
missed land and he understood to
bring the loyal masses over to his idea
that the seeded States, under his re-
construction dodge, were as complete
ly back into the Union as New York
or Massachusetts but we will venture
to say that the work which he has
now laid up for himself of getting
the United States Senate to indorse the
suspension of Secretary Stanton will
prove as marked, and to himself, per-
haps, more disastrous failure, than
either of the above.
The only light in which the trans
action now appears is that of clear
usurpation of power. Whether it
has been dictated by mere personal
spite, or by some ultimate purpose,
to the realization of which Mr. Stan
ton was considered an obstacle, re-
mains to be seen. The country is
prepared to expect any solution Of
the problem, so confusedly whimsical
and unpatriotic have been SO many of
Mr.. Johnson's previous demonsJra.
tions. The mildest theory now avail
able would seem to be that, when the
President first conceived the notion
of asking the Secretary Stanton to
resign, on account Of their personal
differences, he had no thought but
that the request would be complied
with. The reply aroused his comba
tive disposition, while the signal pub
lie responses in support of the Secre
tary caused him to waver for a few
days. But those ever malign advis
ers of his, out of the Southern anC
, Democratic ranks, played upon hi
irritabiIity, tainted him with weak
ness and fed him with false hopes
once more, until he took another falst
step. But even on this most indul
] gent theory, how unworthy, how de
based has become the position of the
Chief Magistrate Of the American
+ Union, an officer who never before
the present administration forfeited
the ordinary respect of his country
n men
1t is one consolation in the presen
crisis that an officer so capable an,
: trustworthy as Gen. Grant has under
?. taken to fill temporarily the place o.
+ the suspended Secretary of War
Although he warmly comedies wit
the latter, he obeys the orders of hi
military superior, cheerfully recogniz
}, ing, doubtless, in this case, the wish
e es OF the people. That Mr.. Johnso
e did not select a tool of his own
e probably owing to a desire to thu
d excuse his highhanded removal of Nh
h Stanton. But the people are not t
n be deceived by any such afterthough
e BY virtue Of that wholesome an
d powerful reaction which has been th
IL popular fruit of President johnson
IS aggressions thus far, the country wi
d rise to the mastery of this crisis
n The evil agency of the Executive wi
e, be still further curbed, the lingerin
1 spirit of the rebellion will receiy
RI heavier and more deadly blows, an
d the progress of reconstruction wi
IL be widened and quickened. Sue
d seems to be the predestined missio
y, of Andrew Johnson, though his way
: as In this case, are as mysterious +;
ct they are disagreeable.-Bostom Jou
Sc nal.