Natchitoches spectator., 1868-02-20

In to-day's paper We publish, under
its appropriate heading, a synopsis OF
the correspondence between President
Johnson and Gen. Grant, growing ont OF
the clandestine surrender, by the latter,
of the War Department to ex-Secretary
Stanton. 1t seems that Gen. Grant, by
this treacIferous act, has not only viola
ted his pledged faith as an officer and a
gentleman, but is guilty of 1nsubordin-
alton i'm refusing to disobey orders from
Stanton when SO directed by the Presi-
dent, unless the latter would restrain
the Secretary. We entertain no fears
that anything serious will grow out OF
this war of words. The President in
very lengthy letter. reminds Gen. Grant
of his insubordinatfon, but does not
care, it seems, to treat the matter in thai
summary manner usually pursued by
superior officers to their interiors in sim
liar insolent cases-but rather prefers
to get the testimony of the members of
his Cabinet, and by arugment, prove
himself in the right, that Grant has
acted wrong, and that "the Constitution
has again been violated;" yet saying 1T
is his duty to protect and defend 1t.
Had the case been reversed, and Grant
in the Executive Chair, or any man
possessing ordinary nerve, and not at
tempting to ''caIry water on both shoul-
ders," the offending officer would have
been put under arrest. But President
johnson is, as he has too repeatedly
said, ''policy" man. That is, he has
no particular policy or settled principles
cares for neither section of country
more than the other. nor the inhabitants
thereof, farther than his personal popu-
larity and political aggrandisement is
concerned. To his weakness and indie
cision may be attributed the cause OF
a greater portion of the injustice and
tyranny to which the sorrow and power
ty stricken South is now subjected. Had
he, Immediately after the surrender Of
the Confederate forces, by virtue of the
pardoning power vested in him, as Chie1
Magistrate of the nation, restored every
man to his political and civil rights, and
m erely limited to that Radical clique
miscalled Congress, that the Constitu
J ton provided that every State shonlo
be represented, and that that instrumen
, should be enforced, not one would hav'
. dared murmur to the contrary. Thi
, would have been no revolutionary at
; tempt-but the simple enforcement of
law which he has solemnly sworn to pro
. tect and defend. He would no soone
assume defiant position, than he woul
p back down when confronted by his OF
n ponents, which retrograde movemen
9 SO encouraged the then dominant fat
ton, until step by step, they have shor
q him of his authority as Executive unit
he is almost powerless for good or evi
Since he has permitted this act {
insubordination from an hitherto oil
scure military satrap, who has risen b
} accident to the position of General, "
If close the gates of hope against any goo
IS that may accrue from the remainder
e his official term. The people of tt
South are now beginning to find o1
Il that he is not, nor never was, a trl
Or friend of theirs-had he been so,
g WouIu u@No dctou quA> uiAeAohU uui u
b. and after the war. We may be rath
b. hasty in thus expressing ourself-b
q, from the history of the past we can foT
IN no other opinion. President Johns
it may content himse with the role of
ne martyr, but the Southern people W
ne long remember in sorrow, his perm
IN ting, through spirit of malice and !
V. venge, the vile and cowardly incarcel
ed ton of their chosen and honored lead
e. -
., The Iberville South hoists the nan
- of the Hon. Geo. H Pendleton, of Oh