The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-04
Mr. Johnron,s Messags.

FFosn the ~. Y. Tribune.
At the momen when all patriots are hoping
for a cessation of political and quaSt-sectional
strife already too long persisted in, and restora
tion of calmness and fraternity, Mr.. Johnson
hurls fresh frebrand into the face Of the
country. He simmons into new activity and
acrimony all the feuds and hates which good
men hoped were quieted, and challenges
renewal of the mischievons perilous strife
already protracted beyond reason, and for
which there is no longer a shadow of excuse.
So untimely, SO wantonly, wickedly baleful an
appeal to outworn prejudices and dying fac
tions has not been made in all our past history,
We sadly apprehend that its effect on the
action Of the House on the impeachment
question will be such as to perpetuate its de-
plorable effects.
Mr.. Johnson has much to say of othe Con
stitution," and Of negroes" in apparent
ignorance that the Federal Constitution utterly
disregards any political or other distinction
founded on color. 1t recognizes some men as
citizens, others as Aliens still others as Gin
dians not taxed" it diseriminates "free per-
sons" from "all other PERSONS" but it knows
no man as black or white Caucasian or negro.
We turn, therefore, the Presidents batteries
on himself He makes grossly unconstitu-
tional, invidious, unjust distinction between
citizens where the Constitution and laws make
none-makes it for the express purpose of put
ting four millions of loyal Americans under the
feet of unchanged Rebels. Right well does he
know that the four millions of Southern blacks
are and have been true to their country, her
authority, her unity, and her flag, while a
majority of those whom alone he recognizes as
the Southern people were fighting to over
throw and destroy them yet he is doing his
very utmost to betray those loyal four millions
into the unchecked power of those who are in
the Union only because they were conquered
and compelled to submit to its sway. And he
not Congress-is keeping the Southern
States out of their proper place in the counsels
! ef the Republic, for no reason under heaven
but to betray those loyal four millions into the
power of the ex-Rebels who hold with him
that the freedmen are entitled to such rights
only as their late masters see fit to accord
them
The amazing recklessness with which the
President makes assertions that the world
knows to be untrue has already been noted.
But exposure of this infrmity does not secure
its correction. He says in this Message that
Congress submitted an Amendment to the
Constitution to be ratified by the Southern
States Gas they were), and accepted their acts
of ratification as a necessary and lawful exer-
else of their highest function" This is not the
truth. He says of the Reconstruction acts of
NOAbISh5 lheS
"It is manifestly and avowedly the object of
these laws to confer upon the negroes the
privilege OF voting, and 10 dlsfranehse such
number ofwhite citizens as Will give the former
a clear majority at all elections in the Southern
States"
lie makes this assertion in the face Of
officials returns public, notorious undis-
puted-which show clear majority of regis
tered white voters, under the Reconstruction
acts, in Virginia, in North Carolina, in
Georgia, in Alabama, in Arkansas, and in
Texas-six of the ten States in question, in
cluding the largest and most important, which
have all accepted, by large majorities the
policy of Congress; while the four States Of
| South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, and
Florida, wherein the blacks have majority
Of registered electors, have either failed to
accept the plan of Congress, or have accepted
it by very small majorities.
But why should we proceed TO refute, item
by item, assertions and imputations so reck-
| lessly made, under the manifest GnimuS OF
discontinue and spleen The great party
which Mr.. Johnson has betrayed is known to
detest him; the party which he has served is
very chary of endorsing and fully deter
mined not TO be in any manner committed to
his fortunes. Hence the acrid temper and
truculent tone Of this most unfortunate doou.
ment.
Mr.. Johnson charges Congress with seekine
TO keep ten States practically out OF the UnioI
at the very moment when they are seen TO b,
returning to II under the very acts which h'
calls ON Congress 70 repeal II single one