The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-09-14
COLUMBIA
Saturday Morning, Sept. IA. 1867.


ments showing that he is buckling on
his armor to meet the anticipated
furious assaults of that body at its
next session, it is predicted that he
will take more bold and decisive steps
than he has yet taken. Hon. Jere.
miah Black, of Pennsylvania. former
ly Attorney General during Bucha-
mans administration, being now in
Washington, it is stated that he is
the prime mover and principal ad-
wiser of Mr.. Johnson, in his latter
bold strokes in defence Of. the Con-
stitution and the Executive authority.
For instance, it has been recently
stated by the Washington Star, that
under Mr.. Blacks counsel, the Presi-
dent was preparing to declare martial
law throughout the United States,
and prevent the assembling of Con-
gress in November next. MIR. Black,
it IS further alleged, has urged upon
the President the propriety of resist
ing impeachment, if initiated by the
House, by declaring it revolutionary
measure, and protecting himself
against it blythe use, of the army to
that end. - s~-t. -.
Although the Star is usually COR
rect, yet it is extremely doubtful that
the President has made up his mind
to any such course as that indicated.
Thus far he has acknowledged and
recognized the Legislative authority of
Congress, in executing even the laws
which he has repeatedly declared un-
constitutional. He has waged his
war with Congress, strictly inside the
Constitution, and in conformity to
the legislation of Congress-, some of
whose enactments restricted his
power, and disarmed him as far as
they could venture to go in that di-
rection. 1t is not probable, there
fore, that he will suddenly and vio-
leptly change his tactics or policy at
this time.
Another suggestion has recently
. been made, viz that the President
should issue proclamation, declar-
ing the Southern States to be in the
Union, and directing them to hold
elections. Tho President has done
this before, and failed by practically
remitting the whole matter to Con-
gress. The excluded States strictly
followed the course he advised, and
faithfully adopted the measures he
enjoined to enable them to resume
their position in the Union; but this
did not effect their admission, no
more than it would now, unless by
force he struck down, at one blow,
the power and authority of Congress,
by declaring it an illegal and uncon-
stitutional body, and declining to re-.
cognize it as the Congress of the
United States as provided for by the
Constitution.
This suggestion, therefore, is not
more plausible than the other. It is
not to be doubted. however, that we
are living in extraordinary times
the most momentous crisis in the his
tory of the Republic. "A revolution
ary force-ah hurrying on to the accom-
plishment of ends, without paying
attention to the means used-appears
to be the order of the day, and he is
more than a prophet who will under
take to predict what will be the re-
suit Of the conflict between the Pre-
sident and Congress. 1t may be that
the incumbent will, at all hazards,
maintain the Executive authority of
the Government, but to do this he
must initiate a counter-revolution
which must merge into and end in q
military dictatorship, until the ship
of State gets once more righted. AT
fairs appear to be drifting in the di-
rection indicated, and it may be that
the country will have to pass through
this ordeal of fire, to come out pu-
rified and prepared to maintain hence