The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1868-04-02
Mr.. johnson and the Democratic Party,


Mr.. Johnson and the Democratic Party.
The official term Of the present Chief
Magistrate draws rapidly to close. Il
is a foregone conclusion that the SENATE
will convict and depose him, however
slight the cause for such course Of
action, whatever wrong may be infiict-
ed upon the President himself, and
through him, upon the country at large,
disturbing the regular and harmonious
working Of the government, aud setting
o precedent which viii throw wide open
tho door to incalculable evils in the
future.
The cause Of impeachment has boon
thoroughly discussed before the country,
and is well understood. It may be
summed up in few words: Congress,
having passed an unconstitutional law,
impeaches and deposes the President
for its alleged infraction. The Prcsi.
dent and Congress Coordinate branches
of the govcrnmeut,) being at issue, in
matter touching their respective powers
and duties, should have appealed 10 the
Supreme Court, the final arb;tcf between
them, to settle the dispute, aud deter.
. mine which is in the right and which
in the wrong. But the demon Of party
was not thus to be appcased The
President, though very turdily aud at a
late hour Of his conflict with Congress,
has sought to bring the cause Of quarrel
to the arbitrament Of the Supreme
Court; while Congress, through the
course Of officials 10 It's interest, bas
seemed to avoid settlement Of il by
this tribunal Of last resort, and taking
the matter 10 its own hands, hastens TO
depose the representative head OF the
people, aud to put 10 his place crea-
tture of its own. Aud from their de.
'cision of the case there seems to be no
appeal, except TO the people 10 their
capacity of electors, when they go to
exercise that highest duty of freomOu,
the elective franchise. Let that appeal
be made, in the approaching Prcsiden-
tial election, and il the people sanction
this high-handed aud revolutionary CON
duct of their servants 10 Congress, let
all opposition cease. They are sovcr.
cign, and from their voice their is no
appeal.
The anticipation Of Mr.. JohnsOn's
removal, is matter of dclectation 10
the radical press, who seem to view il
ms source Of corresponding depression
no the democrats, conservatives and con-
stitutionalists. The democrats, we take
it, feel no special interest in Mr.. John-
son, personally. 1t is only in SO far as
he represents their principles, and stands
identi6cd with them, that they regard
him. IL has been subject of much
regret, with them, that Mr.. Johnson
has not more fully aud completely iden-
tilted himself with them. Il must be
remembered, however, that he is Re.
publican, and not Democratic Prcsi-
dent. lie was elected BY Republican
votes he has been surrounded BY Re.
publican advisers in his Cabinet; he
has followed the policy Of rcconstruc.
ton mapped out by his Republican pre-
decessor, Mr.. Lincoln, whom he took
for his great exemplar 10 this respect,
at least. He has not listened TO demo
cratic counsel, nor pursued such a course
as sound democratic policy would have
pointed out. He has not even pursued
q course Of justice 10 himself. His
career has been an enigma, and perfectly
inexplieable to US. So far, however, as
Mr. johnson has endeavored to uphold
the Constitution 10 opposition to the
entertainments Of the revolutionary junto
In Congress, he has had tho sympathy
and support of the Democratic party,
and their Conservative allies. Never
theless, we have Somewhat against
him" in that he has not seemed to
comprehend, and has not measured up
70, the requirements Of the crisis in
which the country is placed.
Our own views Of the relations sub
sistiDg between President johnson and
the Democratic party, are admirable
expressed in an eloquent address deliy.
cred at Badcnsburg, Prince Georges
county, In September last, by Edward
w. Belt, Esq. sOf Upper Marlborough,
one of Maryland's most gifted sons.
We quote as follows:
s1n ny Judgment, President johnson has