The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1867-09-17

The s,ep wkicl. Mr.. johnson has Ia
ken. The Uuienists Of the coaAtFy
viii hold that Il Il an AT Of usurpa-
iiun--ail exercise q authority not IN
tended by the Constitution, not sane
toned by law, not Justified BY ihe
snddenness Of great emergency, not
exousabIe on any tenablc grounds Of
public policy. For Mr. Johnson's
usurpation Of power Al the close Of
the war, IN pulling down and setting
up and debating terms and conditions
10 the Southern States, the peculiar
iii@ Of the position might be urged
in e1teuuation. For the issue Of this
proclamation there is no pretext, and
there can be no palliation. IL is a
demonstration Of unauthorized au-
thority for purposes At variance with
the sworn duty Of the executive rs
the administrator Of law.
The proclamation is more than this.
II Is deliberate defiance Of Congress
and its authority, reputation ofits
enacted laws, and an assertion Of the
Presidents determination to take the
work Of Reconstruction into his own
hands. 1t is an attempt 10 abrogate
the conditions Of reconstruction pre-
scribed by Congress, and ia invest
the rebel element with the means of
breaking down the restraints which
have been prudently imposed on the
primary workings of reconstruction.
II is an insolent use Of a power which
Congress, in December last, explicit
" took away. Mr.. Lincoln sought
and obtained legislation to authorize
his proclamation of limited pardon
and amnesty; Mr.. johnson dares to
proclaim almost universal pardon and
amnesty, although the measure un-
der which Mr.. Lincoln acted has been
specifically repealed. Congress has
solemnly said that no such proclama-
ton shall be issued; Mr.. johnson
filings the opinions of Buckley and
Black in the face Of Congress and the
country, and claims for his will the
authority of the supreme law. What
more fragrant form could executive
usurpation take short Of dictator
ship
Against measure of qualified am
nesty, considered on its merits, we
have nothing to say. At the proper
time, and under the proper sanction,
we should advocate it as measure
of reconciliation and harmony. But
the prerent is not the proper time,
nor is the obstinate caprice OF Mr..
Johnson, backed though he be by
Mr.. Jeremiah Black, the sanction
which it is desirable to have. The
country has decided that Mr.. John
son shall have nothing to do with re-
construction; except as the admins
traitor Of law. On that question he
has appealed to the people and they
pronounced verdict against him.
They declared that their representa-
tives in Congress shall alone control
the subiect--that they shall alone
fix the conditions, impose what pen
vlties they think necessary, and pro-
aide for the execution of their plans
as to them may seem most wise.--
With what decency can Mr.. john
son take advantage Of the absence of
Congress and endeavor to undo the
work 7 With what hope of benefit
for his rebel friends or what expecta-
ton of IMMUNITY for himself does he
obtrude authority which, at best, is
of doubtful constitutionahty to coun-
teract important requirements Of the
law
Fhe effect of the proclamation up
on the registration lists and the re-
snlts Of the preliminary elections will
not be serious unless its author fol-
low with other invasions Of the law.
These may be looked for; perhaps, if
the journals which are usually the
opponents Of his purposes may in this
instance be relied upon. The law
itself is too plain to be misunderstood.
But this palpable violation of its
terms prepares us for as many other
violations as may be requisite to car
ny out the ideas of Mr.. Black, if the
interval between the reassembling Of
Congress admit of their execution
Meanwhile, Mr.. johnson succeeds in
complicating the subject of recon-
struction, multiplying the difficulties
which attend its operation, and in
tensifying the bitterness which his
conduct has produced.
The true place for amnesty is after
reconstruction. 1t would then be a
valuable as recognition of compli-
ance with the law on tina part of the
Southern people. 1t would then en-
tail no risk. and encounter but slight
hostility. As proclaimed by Mr.
johnson, it is premium on disloy-
atty and an incentive to opposition.
Instead of pacifying the country, il
win add TO its disturbing Influences ;
instead Of Fastening Southern peace,