The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-09-04
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER q, 1867.
&C Parchment for BattIedOres."

90, ., nth the endorsement 'Oholal, As pre-
ao,toI IN us bv Dickens in "Dombey Son,
oouts;r,v shows human nature in very funny
v.0arv. but for real comedy is left completely
In the shade by the sight of President OF the
limited States issuing proclamation for the
sole purpose of signing it "Done in the City OF
Washington-Andrew Johnson" Yet the
high reward of SURPRISING Mr.. Toots is re-
served for Mr.. Johnson, in the extremely long
document published by him yesterday. The
acme Of absurdity is achieved in that effort.
Douglas Jerrold or Tom Hood could not have
conceived Joke more supremely ridiculous
Selwyn's best bon mot pales before 1t, and the
repartee of Churchill becomes second-rate.
We could not, with all our knowledge of the
extraordinary construction of the Executive
brain, anticipate that the madness would thus
break out in this fresh place, and the appear
anoe of the eight "Whereases" and the "Now,
therefore, l." only show us what extraordi-
nary freaks can be produced by brain ill
balanced.
But looking at this manifesto in the light of
an official document, we will try to find out
what il means. To do this we will look at the
preambles, for their object is to set forth the
evil which the proclamation is intended to re-
medy. Now. the first preamble states that
''the President is COmmander-in-chief, and
that he is bound to see the laws faithfully ex-
eouted." No clue there to what he is driving
at. The second states that ''the Constitution
is the supreme law of the land" Well, we
won't argue that point either. Next "The
judicial power is vested in a Supreme Court
and certain inferior courts.' Our knowledge
of the Constitution acquired in early infancy
told us that. Then, "The officers of the army
and navy are bound to obey their superior
officers" Which we do not purpose to deny.
Then follows an assertion that, whenever, by
reason Of unlawful Instructions, combinations,
or asseinblages of persons, or rebellion against
the Government of the United States, it shall
become impracticable, in the judgment Of the
President of the United States, to enforce by
the ordinary course of judicial proceedings the
laws Of the United States within any State or
Territory, the Executive in that case is author
lied and required to secure their faithful exc
outiOn by the employment of the land and
naval foroes.'
So far there is no room for discussion. The
empty platitudes to which the proclamation
gives utterance are all axioms, and would
have been taken for granted by all sane men.
But the gist of the whole matter is contained
in the next preamble, and we ask our readers
to look at it carefully
"And whereas, ,impediments and distractions,
iHterposed 'h IN the States Of North Carolina and
South Carolina, hindering and preventing, for
f line th PtoPeT ,es and of the iudSments and
DEGREES of q lawful court thereof, In disregard
of the command of the President OF the United
States"
At first blush, it naturally is asked at what
does this aim Is there rebellion in South
or North Carolina? Is there such an unlaw-
full combination of persons as to disturb the
execution of the law If not, at what is Mr..
johnson making his attack 1t cannot be that
like Don Quixote, he is charging on wind
mill. Yet there really seems nothing for him
TO proclaim against. In view, however, of the
oOmpendious opinion of Buckley, and of the re-
rnoval of General Sickles, we have to come tc
the conclusion that this pronunciamiento is
aimed not at the enemies Of the United States,
butat its OfRcers not at unlawful assemblages, u
but at regularly authorized and commissioned
servants of the Government. That it is or
General Sickles and his subOrdinates that the
attack is made.
Now, there are several considerations which
arise in this connection. In the first place,
have they any "unlawful distractions combi-
nations, or assemblages of persons" in those
States requiring the calling forth of the '1an(
and naval ?' If so, the "assemblages
must consist of the Gland and naval forces
themselves, and as they are called in to sup
press themselves, we have the cheerful phe
nomenOn similar to that of the curious South
Sea animal which, when pursued, is said tt
swallow itself. If we have not these "unlaw
full assemblages," then we must have ere
beliiOn," for these are the only occasions
stated in the preamble on which the Presiden
ia 10 call on the Gland and naval forces" A
there Is no rebellion, it must be that the arm.
viii have the opportunity of proving, by con
ouering itself, that it is greater than he VIII
taketh city.
Now as it is against General Sckles and hi
officers that this extraordinary assault
directed, the question naturally arises, why,
they have been guilty of the atrOcious crime
s.atsd they are not Ourt-martialled, and pur
ished according to all the laws OF war, and nc
.,--..-ooodontad fashion of addressing th