The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-09

application to his case. So also of the District
Commanders. The intention of Congress- was
to make them independent of Mr.. johnson.
but,the letter OF the Constitution affords him
pretext for interposing his hostile authority.
At every stage of the question the same petit
Jogging keenness and dexterity are apparent.
The spirit Of the law is clear. The design of
Congress is indisputable. But it suits Mr..
Johnson, in his eagerness to Illustrate the ends
of the reconstruction legislation, to overlook
its spirit and pervert its provisions, without
reference to aught besides his reckless, inexcu-
sable obstinacy. H
Whether it is decorous in Mr.. Stanton to re-
fuse compliance with the Presidents request
and to retain the Secretaryship as long as pos
sible in spite of him, is a question that de-
pends very much upon the relations of Mr..
Stanton to the Congress which enacted the
Tenure of Office law. In ordinary circum-
stances, hint from the President to Secre-
tary would be followed by resignation. Were
there no contingent considerations, the in
stincts of a gentleman would prompt imme-
diate withdrawal. We are sure that Mr.. Stan
ton would not be an exception to the rule if
only his personal feelings were concerned. The
man who has opposed the Presidents sui
cidal policy in regard to Sheridan and the
law can scarcely be suspected Of mere fond
ness for Office He is impressed, however, by
his responsibility to the majority Of Congress,
whose confidence he enjoys, and whose will he
would enforce. His duty, as he sees it, is to
stand by his post in behalf of the Republican
party and its measures of reconstructiOn-not
because he can hope to accomplish anything,
with the whole weight the Executive against
him, but because he cannot honorably aban-
don the trust which Congress intended in a
certain degree to render independent of Mr.
Johnson. Upon the latter, Mr.. Stanton pro-
poses to fasten the undivided responsibility of
the nullifcation of the law.
The controversy between the President and
Mr.. Stanton, arising as it does out of a syste-
matte attempt to arrest the operation of the
reconstruction scheme in the spirit designed
by Congress, invests the political position with
very grave aspect With Sheridan and
Stanton removed no amount of protestation
on the part of Mr.. Johnson will persuade the
people of his fidelity to the law and his duty
in relation to it. We apprehend, indeed, that
to this extent the mischief to be deprecated
has been already wrought. After what has
transpired it is impossible for any candid
member of the Union party to repose conf
dence in Mr.. JOhnson's fealty, or to place the
slightest dependence on his discretion. The
renewal of his conflict with Congress when
that body is not in session, proves him as un-
mindful of the obligations resting upon him
| as he is Indifferent to the requirements of the
South and the real interests of the country.
The peace which General Grant predicted as
consequence of reconstruction is disturbed by
Mr.. Johnson causelessly, wantonly because
with no chance of lasting advantage. To the
country his course brings trouble, confusion,
uncertainty at time when these conditions
operate most disastrously. Upon himself it
will entail the loss of the forbearance hitherto
shown towards him, and depth of disaster
and disgrace from which very ordinary saga
city should have saved him.