New-York tribune., 1868-04-01

by the election, and betrayed by the recreant
administration of Andrew johnson. Mr..
Wade's accession to the Presidency, with the
certainty Chat he will be followed by Gen.
Grant, would give the South the certainty il
needs.
Our systems of revenue and taxation ara
almost in chaos. Mr. Johnson's whole AZ.
tention has been devoted, not to the appoint.
ment Of officers who would enforce the lava
and honestly collect the revenues, but to se-
curing satraps, however rascally or incompe-
tent, who would sustain or pretend to sustain
his policy. AS nobody but himself ever ain.
cerely believed in his policy, hypocrisy was ths
first qualification for an ofiice-hOder, Mr.
Johnson has had no time nor disposition to in.
quire whether our revenue collectors wera
licensed Government thieves; it has taxed All
his energies to hunt up politicians who could
be bought. He did not stop to think
that one whom no could buy with An
Office anybody could buy with money Hence.
from one end of the land to the other, depart.
ments of the revenue which were honestly ad
ministered under Mr. Lincoln have become
sinks of corruption under Mr.. johnson. This
rOttenness in Office spreads its malaria among
the people, for taxpayers who feel that their
tax collectors are thieves rush to the conclusion
that they will stop paying taxes; and shen az
in the collection Of the whisky tax, the thieves
pocket five dollars where the Government col
lects one, there is strong prOvOcation for
such a resolution. Hence Johnson's official
patronage of rascality has a direct cffec,
to lower the credit of the Govern
ment and invite repudiation. Hence every 70.
pudiator sympathizes with him. Mr. Wade ia
an honest man, and would purge the Augeaa
stables of the Government of this leprous
horde OF political hypocrites and Official scoun-
drels.
The legislation of Congress in every re.
spect necessary to relieve the suffering financial
cOndtionIof the country is almost suspended.
assailed 10y vast army of O!ice-holdcs.
whose leader seeks only to employ them in
resisting the laws. Congress has had hardly
time to discuss other measures than those ne
cessary to defend its own rights and il its
discussion should result in the passage OF laws.
it is of no use, since they cannot be executed.
The country needs comprehensive financial
policies, sound currency, safe system OF
banking, retrenchment, and reform in many
departments. Congress can give even less
attention to all this with Reb'l in the
White House than it could while the Robels
were merely in sight OF the Capitol, but had
not effected an entrance. But with Mr.. Wsde's
accession Congress could devote its whole at
tention TO the practical questions Of finance,
revenue, taxation, retrenchment, and reform.
With Reconstruction placed in course Of
speedy consummation, and our revenue and
finances vigorously, economically, and honestly
administered there is no remaining reason why
the country should not enter at once on the
highest degree of commercial and business
prosperity. Labor and capital would resume
their wOnted activity. Enterprise would sue
ceed stagnation. Mines and factories now
closed would he reopened Everywhere the
country would feel the salutary effects of S
government at harmony with itself and with
the majority Of the people-one which could
be trusted and must be Obeyed.