New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-03-15
WHO Is THE usuRPER ~

We asked this question lew days ago,
and answered it in part by proving that
congress has since the close Of the war
acted fairly within the scope of its legit-
innate powers. We fortified this position
by showing that those of its laws winch
have been most bitterly assailed have Deen
declared constitutional by the courts OF the
United States. We called attention TO the
fact that this continued abuse oil one OF 'ne
wisest legislative bodies that ever assem-
bled in Washington is prompted by disaP-
pointed craftsmanship. And to our candiu
argument, based on simple facts, the cop
perheads of Camp street have replied only
nv renewed abused. But abuse is not an
answer, and the case therefore is closed,
with the facts admitted in favor Of congress
and nothing but string of empty ISLANDERS
against it.
8 The usurper in the case then is Mr..
johnson himself. At the time of his acct
dental accession to the position he now
occupies the war had not entirely ceased.
The armies in the field were immense.
The extent of insurreetionary territory
was vast. The war power" of the presl-
dent was underlined and dazzling. A few
days after hostilities came to an end. What
then was the plain duty of M. johnson?
What would humble individual OF
true and not mock modesty have done I'M
der the circumstances Evidently, to seek
to know the will of the people, not the will
of the toadies and pimps who infest the city
Of Washington, and pick up a precarious
livelihood by fiattering the weaknesses of
new officials; not the will of the WORKOUT
hacks of the confederacy who hocked to
the White house to advise as to the govern
ment of nation they had for four years
been seeking to destroy; but the will of the
people who rose in their might and love
and loyalty to defend the unity of our
country.
The governments of the insurrection-
airy states had been destroyed in 1861
to make room for rebel governments.
Those rebel governments bad in turn been
destroyed by a successful war, and there
were no legal governments left in their
place. Who was to re-establish legal and
republican forms Of government in these
states? The United States, says the consti-
tuition of which we hear 80 much. Not the
president, for he had no sole right in the
matter. Not the Judiciary, for it had no
sole right in the matter. Not the congress,
for it had not all the necessary power.
The United States, acting as a nation
through its appropriate instruments, was to
perform the work; and in this way and no
other. The congress was to pass the necesa-
ry laws, the president to execute them, and
the supreme court finally to decide upon
their validity in cases where the court has
jurisdiction. But Mr. johnson did not
take this course. Blinded by sudden pride
Of position, Aattered by rebels, wheedled
by the cunning Democrats who fooked
around him with the keen surmise that
they had found another Tyler, he undertook
to be the president of the United
States himssf-aIl by himself. He
to make and guarantee
state governments. He prescribed the
qualifications Of veters, as in the case of
North Carolina. He amended state con-
situations, as in the case of North Carolina
BE set up and pulled down as if he had
been autoerat Of Russia. And he did this
upon the absurdly inconsistent theory that
the laws and constitutions of these states
which he was changing to suit himself were
in full force and vigorl Having made this
capital blunder he determined to stick to
it. If he could not be wise he could at
least be consistent.
/ saw horse yesterday seventeen feet
high ~ said careless talker.
"Yeu mean seventeen hands, replied
his friend.
'sDid | say seventeen feetf'
"Yes.p
''Well, then, If l did I'll stick to it,"
Mr.. johnson has stuck to it. Bis original
error like an early error in mathematical
calculation has continued, multiplied, and
until now he stands indicted Of
grave Offenses, and summoned before the
most solemn and splendid tribunal ever
on the continent, and from it he
will retire to ~ oblivious private life.
srup NOW rowuTTTTTTow