The New York herald., 1867-01-29
States TO set them up again under the sove
reign authority Of Congress-
Opinions OF President Johnsoa Expressed
Through tho Europeau Press.

Opinions OF President johnson Expressed
Through tho Earepcan Press.
1t appears from q cable despatch that the
London Times has published long letter from
Washington, in which conversation with
President johnson on the political situation Is
given. The writer says the President "spoke
very strongly, justifying himself in the position
he had taken on the subject Of reconstruction,
and violently assailing Congress for Gas no
expressed it) usurping the executive and judi
cial power.n Mr.. johnson has used these or
similar expressions before, and we have known
for some time past that he entertained such
views We notice the fact now only because
AN unusual prominence is given TO 1t In for
eign journal.
The President has an exaggerated idea OF
the powers and duties Of his Office and TOO
little regard for the powers of Congress and
the sentiment of the people ss expressed
through that body. He gives meaning TO the
expressions s'usurpadoa' and "unconstitu-
tional acts" a applied TO Congress, which Is
not correct The very provision of the consti-
tuition which gives Congress the power TO pass
laws over the Presidents veto recognizes Con-
gress as the supreme power. The whole tenor
Of the debates in the convention which
framed the constitution shows that 1t was
intended to make Congress supreme. The veto
power was given only as check upon hasty
or injudicious legislation, and not as an OBJ
struction to the will of the people as expressed
through Congress. At the present time, there
fore, when more thxI two-thirds Of that body
are against the Presidents policy regard
ing the treatment and restoration Of the
South, how can Its action be called usurpa-
tions Mr.. Johnson has evidently lost sight Of
the fact that two-thirds can constitutionally
pass laws over him and overrule all his policy
and acts 1t is~his duty to acknowledge and
bow to this legitimate and constitutional
power Of Congress. He has not even the plea
for resistance that the present body does not
represent the will of the people; for we know
that the next Congress, which has been recently
elected, viii, be more opposed to the Presi-
dents policy than the present one. In resist
ing the overwhelming power Of Congress, then,
Mr.. johnson is clearly resisting the will Of the
people. If there be any usurpation, therefore,
it is not on the part Of Congress, but rather on
the part of the President
So with regard to the Supreme COurt-Con-
gress can pass laws to reorganize it if 1t should
stand in the way or obstruct the will Of the
nation. The constitution says there shall be .
Supreme Court; but the construction or recon
struction Of it was LETT to Congress- In what
ever way we look at the present conflict be-
tween the different branches Of Che govern
ment on the important questions relating to
the status Of the. rebel States and their resto-
raticn, we see that Congress is supreme. 1t ia
especially so now, as more than two-thrds are
in favor Of the same general policy. Presi-
dent Johnson ought to recognise this fact and
snape his course accordingly. If he will not
nothing can save him; he will be swept away
as an encumberer OF the ground.