New-York tribune., 1867-09-26
IMPENDING ISToyISHMRYE

During a political career of 40 inconsidorablo
length, during many years by no means want
ing in affairs of great public interest, we have
never known the general nInd TO be in more
apprehensive and unsatisfactory condition The
clouds of peace are heavier than were the clouds
of war. Whether it be the fault or the mis-
fortune of the President, he has contriycd to
make the community exceedingly uncomfort-
able, nor is the tone of those newspapers which
profess TO speak for him TO any extent
! reassuring; for his organs are full of
frightful hints and alarming prcmonitions. II
is publicly intimatcd by one of his friends that
"hc will meet the attempt TO oust him from
his position in manner that will astonish
everybody The National InfcIijgencer ofli-
cially announces the limits Of judicial authority,
and advises the President to adopt an attitude
of open hostility, if necessary, 10 the Supreme
Court. Hints like these are not lost upon the
community, and already the most respectable
portion of the press is beginning to speak
gravely of the possibility of an attempt to dis
perse Congress by force of arms, of a new rev.
Olution, Of an unprecedented usurpation, of a
coup detat, and of an Illegal appeal to the
country. There is talk of "ten thousand
"men in Maryland called militia, armed and
under the command of Rebel officers y there
are hints that if vctoes fail, the President will
rely upon mcrcenary bayonets and men already
compare Johnson with Cromwell, and Congress
with the Parliament which was so rudely scat
tered by the Protector. This IN a kind Of dan
ger which we have never before encountered !;
these are apprehcnsons which have never be-
fore agitatcd this Republic; and without pre-
tending to decide upon their importance, it is
only justice to the American people to inquire
seriously into their origin. The main difficulty.
II we are not mistaken, is, that the people
have no confidence in the integrity or tho
| ability OF the Executive. Men who do not make
up their minds hastily are speaking with great
plalnness of impending public danger. They,
too, have no faith in Mr.. johnson. They
doubt his temper; they distrust his talents :;
they dread his obstinacy; they are fearful of
Ills Iashness; they are not sure of his sobriety :.
they suspect the servants by whom he is imme-
diately surrounded; and the dark threats of
his hangers-on are not calculated To stimulate
their confidence. They beliepo that our liberties
are in danger, and, thinking so, they do right to
say what they think-they would be dumb dogs
IHtlr
peace.
There is no injustice like that which mali
ciously misrepresents a public officer but what
does the President do to rcassure the country
Vetoes will not do it; amnesty procamations
of doubtful legality will not do it; an assertion
of His Excellency's will against the laws; hints
OF recourse to revolutionary measures; turn
ing out Secretaries threatening to overthrow
the Supreme Cont; removing able civil officers
and appointing incapables; keeping up per-
pertual blowing of ram's-horns in The National
IntelfGcncer picking quarrels with the repre-
sentatves OF the people; maneuverng for Cop
perhead compliments and Rebel appreciation ;
calling shift and subterfuge and succedaneum
"a policy )" turning out all recaci-
trant placeholders according to the programme
with which we are at present threat
ened; shifting the quarters of obnoxious Major
Generals talking by the hour to newspaper
correspondents about the terrible things which
WI. liC don 4, i,0Dr.,Ls i,ai.u,as an I.tt,r