Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-09-03
THE SITUATION.

serve, as they will doubtless receive, the COR
dial support and cooperation of every patri-
ct in the country, whilst they will array
against him, in deadly hostility, all those ele-
ments that are impeding peaceable recon-
struction of the government upon the basis
of the Constitution. In this crusade upon
the President, radicalism will develop its pow
er and exert its whole influence, knowing
that its very existence is involved in the IS
sue. What is to be the conclusion of the
matter, doth not yet appear, but if the coun-
try escapes without further effusiOn of blood,
it will be exceedingly fortunate.
The President after long submission to
the dictatiOn of Congress, aud unjustifable
aequiescence in its usurpations, has demand
ed a recognition of the prerogatives of his
department, and has defantly placed the
guillOtine to the neck of the most favored of
the satellites of the radical party. Their cry
is retaliation, and impeachment, which has
heretofore been but an empty threat, hanging
over the head of the Executive, will unques-
tiOnably be resorted to on the next assembling
distinctly joined, and either the Executive
or Legislative DepartmentSswill have to sue
cumb. An effort will doubtless be made to
depOse the President, whilst his trial for im>
PeGchmeut is pending. If he submits to this,
radicalism will triumph, and the country
must prepare for submission to its continued
domination.
That the situation is one of extreme peril, is
apparent to the most casual observer, whilst the
more rejecting can only contemplate it with
apprehension and alarm. The leading press
of the country, evidently regard the crisis as
near at hand, and with this conviction, are
preparing the public for the deuouement.-
The New York Times, in view Of all the cir
cumstances, is rather grave, and seems to de.
precate resort to extreme measures 1t saws:
If we can believe half that comes to US, the
demand for impeachment has grown immense
" during the last week or fortnight. Mr..
Nashburne, who is always credited with
being Grants right-hand man, and who is
now with him at Washington, is reported to
have declared that the Olly hope of the coun-
try lies in getting rid of President johnson.
coming, and lie has no doubt that Congress
will adopt his scheme, suspending the Pres
ldent from office, as soon as charges of inn
parchment are introduced to the Senate
which, it is supposed, will be before the close
OF the year. 1t is but little over two months
now till Congress will again meet, and there
seems no likelihood Of its temper being less
violent. or Its measures less determined than
they were at the last regular session, or at the
extra session in July. We shall continue to
deprecate impeachment, however, except as
the very last resort against the very greatest
perils; for under it the politics and credit of
the country would rock with a violence for
which We have no precedent in the past.
The Tribune is belligerent, and calls for
thorough organization of radicaIism Gree
ley is determined that the President shall be
punished, and he talks of fighting as though
he had real thirst for blood. The follow
ing is one of his earnest admoaitions:-
We admonish the people to prepare for
stern and high responsibility. 1t is nearly a
hundred days until Congress meets. Till
then We are pOwerless. We can only bow to
this dreadful tyranny. The President appeal
ed to the country in his last message. We
join him in the appeal. Let our friends organ
ize everywhere. Let us make the canvass
upon the infamy of Mr.. Johnson's adminis-
tration, and having defeated him at the bal.
lOt-box, we can prepare, through our repre-
sentatives, to consider the best course to be
taken to punish him for his crimes against
the sovereign will of the American people
The President must stand and fight We
have been advancing and retreating long
enough: Too many white flags have been ex.
changed. The President means war. War
be it, then, and God speed the right.
The Herald is more sensible and more
hopeful. 1t affects to see the triumph of the
President in his course, and as a result. the
thanks of the people for maintaining his DO
sitiOn. According to Bennett, the removal
of Sheridan and Sickles was right. He de-
clares -
Tossed about as we are in this political gale.
we turn TO the man whose hand is at the helm
From him we expect reform. The tide has
reached its food. We have cursed the moor
negro by too rapidly elevating him; and in
the coming reaction he will soon curse us
We have done all this for political purposes.
In the emancipation of the blacks we have
gone so far that We threaten to ensIave the
white; all this to the grievous injury of both.
The attack and defence of the one absorbing
color have given birth to two great attempts
at dictatorship-Oue by Mr.. johnson, one
by Congress. The former was defeated by
the latter; the latter must now be defeated
by the former. This done, the battling DO
htical forces will come to mutual concession
and unity of action. The country NAV then
take rapid march to union, peace and
brilliant future. First, however. must be
swept aside the division of executive power
as Congress tried to arrange it in the five mil
itary relationships. In his determination that
he will defend his branch of the government,
Andrew johnson is right; and the nation, in
its cooler moments, must thank him. Sheri-
dan broke loose from executive control-from
the control of his military commander. He