The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-08-13


by Gre on Friday.
Ore in wreu,han Mass, yesterday. destroyed
hose, national bank and other buildings tho loss
amounting TO $4,000.
GrnB. Comp d'itat at WHshingtcn-A Neyy
Political Departure.
The President has struck decisive blow.
Stanton, as Secretary Of War has been super
sedei, and General Grant for the present, is
appointed to lake charge Of tho War Depart
mend We presume that before making this
change Dir. Johnson had full understanding
, with General Grant, and that !he latter, without
hesitation, win enter upon his new duties. We
know that bis appointment, if accepted, will
commend the confidence Of the country and
Tia. thus no apprehcnsions of any serious loss
! TO the public service will arise from Mr.. Stan
toms suspension. Moreover, by the explana-
tory Reconstruction bin, passed at the late ex-
| traordinary session of Congress. Grant is speci-
| fcaly charged with the general management
! Of the work Of reconstruction. In being adj
v,need to the head of the War Department,
| therefore, be viii only have larger discretion
in the discharge of these important duties.
SO far, then, the President has properly met
| The issue raised by q defiant subordinate in his
refusal 20 resign when politely request d 10
leave. But Mr.. Johnson must not stop here.
He has only crossed tae Rubicon the great
| Gght is sill before him, and he must fight it
out. The broad and general issue between him
and the rampant radicals is still between bis
policy and their policy, although reduced to
the application of the reconstruction laws Of
Congress. He proposes liberal Interpretation,
whereby the Southern whites will have chance
in this business Of the reorgn nzaIion of the ten
outside Southern States. The radicals propose
| aud have inauguraed rigid and indcS6le
enforcement OF the laws against the Southern
| wSiles and haze shown liberality only
to the blacks whereby the political
destinies Of the several St,tcs concerned
may fall into their hands. The question
thus presented is whether the ten excluded
Southern STATES, as n national political balance
Of power, shall be controlled hereafter, for ten,
twenty or fifty years, by their five hundred
thousand niger voters, as they were for
seventy years before their rebellion by their
three hundred thousand niger drivers. Is the
country at lerge prepared and ready for the
transfer OF the political power of the South
from the late oligarchy of Shareholders to their
emancpated negro slaves? Is there no half
way house Of safety between the one extreme
and the other? President johnson thinks there
, Is, while Stanton and his radical supporters
, hold that there is not, and are resolved that
, there shall not be.
Upon this broad and general issue Stanton
he's been displaced, and General Grant, in
: stopping into the vacancy, takes his pcpu-
lar influence with him from Stanton
aud his radical faction over TO the
side Of the administration. This is al
importan: poin. gained. But Il is only tn
beginning Of the work required oil Mr.. johnson
TO clear the track Of radical distractions w
t have heard enough within the las. few days o
the want OF backbone and harmony in hi
Cabinet to satisfy us that the suspension o
: Stanton will only weaken the administration
ifnot followed up by other suspensions II
; for n penny. in for pound From the Stat
Department down to the Attorney General {
new Cabinet Is wanted to sustain and strengthen
!. General Grant and the President In this new
n political departure. The Cabinet under NJ
: | JOunsCn mas occu u patChWofh NSoAho' ~"
enough, and, having broken ground for q de
' cisive reconstruction, he ought TO make Of Il
= clean piece OF work, beginning, If not alread!
10 written, with courteous letter, embracinI
many thanks requesting Mr.. Seward to retifs
J. Tha, old Paul Pry, Thurlow Weed, anon
!, other things TO be considered. will thus be 60
e, rid OF, in o similar step whereby Honest OIL
sc Abe was relieved Of the annoyances Of tn
Blair family.
!. Next, In regard TO the five commanders o
70 the Eve Southern military districts. We hav
. renewed guarantees that Sheridan's head Wi
al soon be brought TO the block-a necessary pre-
,. ceeding, perhaps TO defeat the game Of Stan
!. ton. But Is not the programme OF recons,rut
10 ton adopted and pursued by the other fou
commanders substantially the same rs that
as Sheridan, and equally, or to q greater or les
70 extent in disregard Of the Presidents wisht
- and suggestions! Why, then, make fsh Of on
and flesh OF another! To meet the case fsirl
In and fully Mt Johnson mus, have new Get
By military commanders, from frs. to las.. 0the
!. wise he will fail to touch the radical reconstru
in ton combinations which run from Mr.. schenck
Congressional Executive Committee throue
zee oil the military and Frsedmsn's Bureau m
- chinery Of the South, in behalf Of neg,
Nv supremacy A new Cabips! and . new :e.
". military commanders under General Graz