The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-02-05
he IDpe~ch@ent-Hrsbecrra Coup d'Efas ~
Ssarhern Rebels una Northern Copper

| larks. ihere has recently been remarkable
gathering Of Southern Governors and politi-
clans at Washington in consultation with Presi-
dent Johnson. The result s noised abroad as
the adoption of q new line of policy on his
| part to be submitted to the new Congress on
the 4th of March, policy which, it is said, will
embrace impartial suffrage to whites and
blacks in,the rebel States, with the general
condition Of reading and writing and two
hundred and fifty dollars property qualifca-
ton, to be adopted by said States as the basis
Of restoration. This is suggested as cornpro-
mise with Congress; but unfortunately in this
light it signifies nothing and will come to
nothing. Like the proposition, with the flight
of Louis Philippe from his throne, to substi-
tute the young Count de Paris as regent this
overture Is 'too late,r and moreover, 1t does
not begin to meet the necessities of the case.
In truth, however, it is not intended as COM
promise. 1t is only bit of strategy, feint,
mere diversion to draw or the enemy.
What, then, is the real purpose Of Mr.. john
son! What is the secret of this late gathering
Of his Southern Governors and Southern man
aging politicians in the private audience
chamber of the White House? What is the
explanation Of this "happy accord" between
Southern rebels, Northern copperheads and
the administration? What are they driving
att Outside of the White House there is no
mystery about the matter. Southern rebel
and Northern copperhead journals are getting
up the scarecrow of coup d'etat If driven
to the wall, they warn us, Johnson the First
will repeat the game Of Napoleon the Third
in dispensing the National Assembly Of the
republic in 1851 at the point of the bayonet
This is in accordance with Mr.. Stewards hint
of last September, en- route to Chicago, that if
we will not have Andrew Johnson as President
we must have him as King. He will not inter
fere with the adoption of impeachment resolu-
tons by the House, nor will he resist the
motion to bring him to trial before the
Senate but If they attempt to suspend him in
the functions of his Office while on trial his
reserved power as commander-in-chief of the
army and navy is to be brought to bear in the
dispersion of Congress after the style of Louis
Napoleon or Oliver Cromwell. and in a call
upon the militia of the several States to put
down any popular demonstrations that may
be attempted in support of Congress.
Those Southern Governors and leading rebel
politicians who have lately had him by the
button hole have probably been giving him
promises Of laid and comfort in any emer-
gency. They have perhaps fallen agsin under
the delusion that "the Yankees won't fight.
As for our Northern copperheads, five may
believe them, they are eager for the tray. The
Hon. James Brooks, in tire crisis indicated, hss
publicly promised million Of mon IN support
Of Mr.. johnson, which is . hundred thousand
better than the promise of the Hon. Horace
Greeley in support Of Abraham Lincoln's eman-
cipation proclamation. The Hon. Fernando
Wood would perhaps head another million, if
able to take the field, and the Hon. Ben would
unquestionably volunteer in the same FIGHT if
not preoccupied in his more genial game Of
fighting the tiger. But, following In the wake
Of Lieutenant General Brooks, oil the Seymouts
and little "Jack Rogers" Of New jersey the
puissant "Jerry Black and sold Buck of
Pennsylvania; poor Pierce, Of New Hampshire;
the great vallandIgham and Pendleton, Of
Ohio; Voorhees, and Milligan, of Indiana, and
all the "Sons of Liberty" of the West, will
bring up their reserves by millions.
Thus, supported in arms by three or four
millions Of the Northern peace democracy this
time, the Southern rebel States, with President
johnson as their champion. will make short
work of Congress, the abolition Of slavery, the
national debt and all such appendages Of the
first war for Southern rights. And what then
Wrbv thoy doo. nv An a aorv>oaa N o. ~. - ,htv
coalition would be satisfied with candy
Johnson No. They would send him adrift,
and JEFF Davis would be released aud reinstat
ed instanter in obedience to the Calhoun doe
trine of State rights, and African slavery would
be re-established in accordance with the bred
Scott decision and "the constitution a. It wasr
Herein lies our safety against coup d staa from
Mr.. johnson. II would not pay him his ex-
penses in any event, and it might bring him
face to face with that famous " sour apple
tree" Besides, he is o stickler for the consti-
tuition, and that instrument is so clear upon
this matter Of impeachment, and with the
power, the modus opsrdadi, Of Congress over
him is so broadly laid down that there Is no
getting round ii or under II or over it Having
challenged the test he must submit to be broiled
upon his own gridiron, and he must abide the
consequences; for il is an axiom Of Blackstone
or Touchstone that "when two ride . horse
one must ride behind
AS for the million Of men to be led by Field
Marshal James Brooks he will have to enlarge
his spectacles to find them. They are Fall
staf7s men In buckram. 1t Is the old story Of
instruction in the North that we had before
the war and during the war 80 much that it has
have government bond or two. II is sheer
nonsense to talk Of . coup d'etai by Mr.. John
son, although bis present trescherous support
ers are urging him to try it. He can place no
faith in them; for they seek TO use him only to