The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-10-08
Our Revolution still ProgressinG-Docs i
Indicate Peace or War;

Indicate Peace or War:
We publish elsewhere in our columns the
remarks Of the Louisville Journal and the New
York Times on the political situation. Both
Of these journals, given over to partisan spirit,
are feeling their way along in the dark, each
with its eyes upon false beacon. The former
paper, urged by the same impotent madness
that animated the earlier days Of the rebellion,
runs into empty and unmcaning threats that,
were they not SO seriously made, might
appear ridiculous The Times, little fright
ened at the cloud which its party has raised
upon the horizon, calls attention to it as some
thing to be dreaded. 1t fears that the
acknowledged unconstitutional measures OF
Congress are to be checked in their operations,
and chat the country, in its revulson Of feeling
against bad management, may upset some
cherished party plans. The whole article,
though containing many good arguments, his
that tinge which indicates trembling over
coming political change. That this change is
gradually making its way into all the political
elements of the country is indisputable. Great
revolutions, born Of such forces as brought
themselves into action in 1861, need, per-
haps, the force OF fanaticism to bring them TO
a focus. That fanatcism has, however, reached
its summit, and the nation, now surcited with
war and its attendant moral and political cor
ruption, is disposed TO return to that healthy
point where it may make It's material and
political progress the most valuable to the
national development.
That the President viii be impeached is not
probable under any phase Of our progressive
revolution. Stumbling block though he be to
the wishes of faction, still that faction may
roll him aside whenever they desire to do so.
Congress may be in open but peaceable con-
flict with the Executive; but it is for the
Supreme Court to decide between them. Con-
gress, representing the people, has the power
to shape laws in any torn, even of
the most ultra revolutionary class. AS an
Executive, according to the political rule laid
down for his guidance, the President may OPP
pose those laws. If, now, the Supreme Court
decide that Congress is right and the President
wrong. the Executive must bow to the decision;
for the action Of the court is merely that Of an
arbiter in dispute between two parties. II,
therefore, the peoples Congress choose to tear
the constitution in shreds, and the Supreme
Court uphold the effort, then 1t Is folly, 1t is
revolution by force, on the part of the Presi-
dent, to oppose it; for, by such action, he
opposes pcaccablc overturning Of the gov
eminent which the people have deemed neccs-
sary and have effected for what they deem to
be their good. Much as we reverence the con-
stiution, and much as we desire to see it held
sacred and intact, we can but recognize that
the great handspring of our republic. and the
power that underlies all constitutions and laws,
| is the will of the people, II, in the case above
mentioned. the people support the action Of
the two branches Of the government against
the third, the country must bow TO it. There
| is nothing that can offer effective opposition ;
and by and through the people is made rcvo-
luton by force OF brains which, in any other
country, could alone be effected by force Of
arms. The election following such revolu-
ton will determine If the people endorse the
action OF the rulers whom they have placed
over themselves to effect 1t. Should they not
endorse their rulers, then the revolution is
checked and we return to any position in
which we may choose to place ourselves.
| Let il be understood that such is our politi-
| cal rule and such the method by which we
choose 10 effect peaceablc change. Thus far
our revelation has been progressive. From
our initial point in 1861 we have made change
after change until distant and neutral observer
could scarcely recognize any elements in com
mon TO our political condition then and now
We have changed three millions Of negroes from
a condition Of seridom 70 higher Lowell !haI