The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-08-23
THE SUSPENSION OF SEQ. STANTON.

y. There Is an old story Of a police Justice
who, having attempted to dispose Of case
beyond his jurisdiction, was told by one Of
the counsel, "Why, you cantdo that, your
Homo" ~ "Cant do it1' said he, "dont
you see haze done it?" So President
Johnson, In one sense. certainly can suspend
Secretary Stanton from his duties ns head
Of the War Department, because no has
done il. But wher, we come 10 the ques-
ton Of his legally and rightly doing Il, we
find altogctlrcr( different state Of things.
He has yet to convince the United Staies
Senate that Secretary 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, at.
tempted some pretty formidable exploits.
He tried to convince the freedmen that Ne
was their .'Moses, " to guide them to their
promised land and he undertook to bring
the loyal masses over to his idea that tho
seeded States, under his reconstruction
dodge, were rs completely 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
% marked, and to HIMSELF perhaps, D more
disastrous failure, than either of the above.
Tie only light in which the transaction
now appears Is that Of clear usurpation
Of powers. Whether II has been dictated
by mere personal spite, or by some ultimate
purpose, to the realization Of which Mr..
Stanton 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.. Jobnson's previous
demonstrations. The mildest theory now
available would seem to be that, when the
President first conceived the notion of ask.
ing Secretary Stanton to resign, on account
Of their personal differences, he had no
thought but that the request would he COM
piled with. The reply aroused his COM
bative disposition, while the signal public
responses in support Of the Secretary caus-
ed him to waver for few days. But those
ever nalgn advisers Of his, out of the
Southern and Democratic ranks, played up
on his irritability, tainted him with weak.
ness and fed him with false hopes once
more, until he took another false step. But
even on this most indulgent theory, how
unworthy, how debased has become the
position Of the Chief Magistrate Of the
American Union, an officer who never be.
fore the present administration forfeited the
ordinary respect of his countrymen
II is one consolation IN the present crisis
that IN officer 80 capable and trustworthy
as Gen. Grant has undertaken to fill tempo
rarily the place Of the suspended Secretary
of War. Although he warmly comedies
with the latter, he obeys the orders Of his
military superior, cheerfhlly recognizing,
doubtless. in this case, the wishes Of the
people. That Mr., Johnson did not select a
tool Of his own is probably owing to de
sire to thus excuse his highhanded removal
Of Mr.. Stanton. But the people are not to
be deceived by any such aforeihought by
virtue Of that wholesome and powerful re-
action which has boon the popular fruit OF
President Johnson's aggressions thus far,
the country will rise to the mastery Of this
crisis. The evil agency Of the Executive
will be still further curbed, the lingering
spirit Of the rebellion will receive heavier
and moro deadly blows, and the progress Of
rccon.triction will be widcned and quick.
ened. Such seems to be the predestined
mission Of Andrew Johnson, though his
why's, rs in this case, aru as mysterious rs
Of oy o., ,i;..urco,l,I, - Rosfo. IournaI