The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-09-16

the suffrage to the disfranchised classes renders
1t as barren and Improbable as all that pre-
ceded it from the same source. In respect TO
helping the South, 1t is as worthless as waste
paper
Practically considered then, the issues
raised by Mr.. Johnson in opposition to the
Reconstruction law are as idle as they are
mlschievous. As matter of principle, he
fulfilled the requirements of the most earnest
convictions when he declined to be a party to
the enactment. Now, he occupies the posi-
tion of one who is constantly seeking to apply
his own plans, but is compelled in the end
to succumb to the plans of Congress. He
has not the prudence which recognizes de-
teat when 1t occurs or the true courage
which endeavOrs to make the best of dis
aster. If ever mortal delighted in kicking
against the pricks, it is he. He prOoams
his possession of potent authority, and it
forthwith vanishes into thin air. He con-
trlves and declares, and is obliged imme-
diately thereafter confess himself power
less. The weapon he invents to overcome
Congress hurts none so seriously as their in
ventor. Its measures 60 forward, despite his
opposition. Its policy has a certainty of ulti-
mate triumph, Notwithstanding his proclama-
tiOns against it. All he really does resolves
itself into an Intellectual endeavor to make his
capricious will the supreme law, as against
provisions lawfully enacted. He incenses Con-
bad faith in the administration of its measures.
The most jealous adherent cannot claim for
these characteristics the merit of statesman
ship. They exhibit laundering from first to
last, coupled with q Teckessness and a disre-
gard of the known intent of the law utterly
iDexplicable in the Executive of republic.
The evil inflicted upon the country by this
course Is beyond calculation. For though
Mr.. Johnson has uniformly failed, and will
continue to fail, in his efforts to Illustrate Con-
gress, the effect of his action ig to disturb the
public mind, to introduce uncertainty into
the work of reconstruction, to excite appre-
tensions of further conflict and to impair the
confidence which lies at the root of enterprise
and prosperity. Inability to foresee the
contingencies OF the morrow has not been
SO painfully realized since the darkest
days of the war Mr.. Johnson has said
and done so much that is wild and wanton,
that people have ceased to Judge of the
probabilities of his action according to
any received standard of right or duty.
Mems minds, moreover are becoming fami-
lar with revolutionary schemes schemes of
violence and armed strite-as possible Incl
dents OF his future pretensions. We do not
propose to hold him responsible for the SEN
sauOnal speculatiOns of newspaper correspon-
dents, but 1T is unfortunately notorious that
the persons who share his confidence and
inspire not few of his ideas, are favorable to
armed resistance to Congress and summary
dispersion OF its members, if 1t proceed with
impeachment. 1t is scarcely credible that,
with all his folly, Mr.. Johnson can listen ap-
provingly to suggestions of this nature. But
they are undoubtedly among the results of
his hostility to Congress and of the angry agi-
tation which his policy has produced. From
every point OF view, that policy is as iuimical
to national harmony and peace as it is in
furious to the immediate interests of the
Southern people.