The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-07-09

improving. but becoming worse. We are not g
radical. aud neither are we a johnson man; for
we believe that President johnson Is to blame to
great extent for our present unhappy condition.
Soon after the surrender he had it in his power
| to restore the Southern States to the Union by
approving the treaty or agreement Eade between
! Gen. Sherman and zen. Johnston at some point
in this State. If he had endorsed that arrange
ment. the two armies of Grant and Sherman
would have enforced it, and peace and good feel
ing between the two sections been Immediately
established. But President Johnston then enter
tanned such hatred for the Southern people that
be refused to do anything to save them from treu-
BILE. Believing that he is much deserving of
censure as any radical Congressman. we do not
feel any sympathy for him in his present embar-
raised situation.
The following extract from communication
in the Wilmington Journal SO nearly expresses
views that we copy and endorse it:
s.Our greatest misfortune since the surrender
of our armies was the necessity or seeming naees-
sity for US to risk our shattered fortunes in the
same boat with Andrew johnson. l am not
radical the road to the Radical camps
Between them and me there is an impossible
gulf. am not, however, a believer in Mr. john
son or his policy. which was in my opinion as
Sheridan, aud with less color of title. We were
either State of the United States or we were
Conquered country. Mr. Johnson's policy started
with the premiss that North Carolina neither
State nor a province, but a sort of geographical
hermaphrodite, rather territorial eunuch.-
Conclusions from such premiss necessarily led
him into the mire, where he yet struggles, and
hopelessly; and very much fear ourselves with
him. Gen. Sheridan show color at least for
his course under Act of Congress. The Presi.
dent lost his grand opportunity when he refused
to ratify the treaty between Generals johnson
and Sherman. The State Government, called,
instituted by Mr. johnson and his "satrap," is
now declared by the "satrap'' himselfto be as
OBVIOUSLY illegal and wrong" or in other words,
as ''prUvsional' in its nature as that administer
ed by the individuals designated by order of Gen.
Sheridan.
The lapse of time and the act of Mr. Johnson
have rendered it forever impossible for old
Constitution to be administered by officers duly
selected in accordance with its time honored
mandates. The term of office of our last consti-
tuti"nal Governor. Zebulon B Vance, has e1-
pred. has also that of the members of our last
constitutional General Assembly. and this leaves
the State not only without officers but without
the power to create them. To this extent, in
deed, has Mr. Johnston made US eunuchs. can
never forget that we are indebted to MIR johnson
for this state of affairs. He it fierce
upon Commanding Generals for interfering with
his policy and its administrators who drove out
our proper legal constitutional officers. l con-
TESS | do not look with unInxed regret upon the
oustng of his appointees, who are so complaceut-
~ pluming themselves as the representatives. of
the old North Carolina of our fathers. and such,
calling upon US to fall down and do them homage,
when in fact they representatives not of the
State of North Carolina at all, but simply and
purely of Mr. Johnsons policy, and are utterly
unknown to the Constitution.
Such then, is the condition of affairs. The
old public highway by which we were wont to
travel, has been blocked up and rendered mpass-
abe by Mr. Jnl on, who instead thereof offers the
use of 9 private road, and unfamiliar to US
to which however. other parties stronger and
more powerful. declare he has right. They
accordingly forbid its use except for short Gis-
lance and by their consent the offer to lay out
Il road for As it is my desire to take the
shortest sure>t and safest road out of this will
derness shall not hesitate to the road offered
by the more powerful party. though at the same
time | see not the slightest reason or necessity
for uniting with that party, as it is my wish to
get as far away from the party" as possible, as
well as from the wilderness. We must get out of
this difficulty some how other. sooner later.
and honor is not involved in quick erit
| say, the sooner the better.