Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1867-06-26
fHE PRESIDENTS INTENTIONS:

It becomes a matter of extreme impor-
tancc to know what course President john
son is going to take with regard to the
last opinion of his Attorney General. If
he Is to adopt it for his guidance in deal
ing With the District Commanders at the
South. then Congress must meet in July
to prevent the otherwise inevitable nulifi-
cation of the reconstruction acts But
this inconvenience, fraught probably with
undesirable excitements, will be spared if
the President should conclude to tglect
the pcrniclous advice of his law officer.
As the case stands, it is we'll enough un-
derstood-thc expressions of Thaddeus
Stevens to the contrary Notwithstanding
that the Attorney Generals opinion is
not Of the least authoritative or binding
force. The President asked his interpre-
tation of the several parts Of the military
acts, and he has given it. If it had all
been done by conversation in Cablust
meeting. OF OH the Street corner IN Wash
ington. Mr.. Stanbery's notions would have
teen just as far from being in themselves
operative as they are now.
His opinion, then, derives all its i'm
portance from its indicative character with
respect to Andrew Jobnson's future course.
Here several considerations come in. On
The bne hand are the PIcsideHt'5 we'll
known views embodied in his vetoea of
the reconstruction acts. Heretofore, dur
ing the whole Of his controversy with
Congress, he has maintained the most
dogged adherence to his own opinions
when once formed and expressed, no mat
ter how unreasonable they seemed to the
whole country besides Why, then, should
he be expected to abandon his whole de-
liberate estimate, of the reconstruction
acts. especially when he thust see that the
change will be utterly Intellectual to the
South. if rot disastrous to himself? But
On the OF her hand, if he did not contem'
plate adopting the opinfots Of the Attor
e ney General, why did lie take such pains
> to secure their elaboration. after he knew
their purport, aud their publication to th'
county? Law advisers are not generally
d directed to draw up lengthy and abtrus'
# papers for nothing. The Attorney Gene
i raj Of the United States, IN particular, j
!, supposed to have all his time occupied
with demands that are practical ard pres
u sing. without exerting his talents upol
that which is to be of no earthly use.
Z. This is the attitude in which a ques
is tion of duty now presents itself to tn
, mem bers Of Congress. II nothing overt
y done by the President to throw Light upo
the matter. shall they meet in july? W
er think they will have to respond affirmative
oe ly for these reasons:
in President johnson knows that this opir
ion of the Attorney General, under tn
u circumstances. raises the implication i
the minds Of the people that he designs
ID act upon it; and if he does not 50 desig
he It is his duty to let the country know it.
he can promptly and pertiuently do is h
= relations with the edistrct commanders an
J" those protesting against their action.
d. he does not do this, it may be regarded I
n. certain that he contemplatcs mischief
or the reconstruction acts, and Congre
r.. should hasten TO prevent it. But it ma
be said that so long as the President do
W nothing obnoxius his acquiescence IN Il
laws passed by Congress should be q
lsI suhhcd. Uhkappny lie has not, by b
lei course, thus far, entitled himself to tn
lie favorable presumption. His policy is
" be construed, as his law officer constru
the reconstruction acts, "rigidly," and u
of less he gives satisfactory evidence that
Re- shall not make summer session of Go
&c gress necessary, it must be regarded
=" inevita Boston Journal.