The New York herald., 1868-01-17
The Reign Of the JncObins-Prosrcss Of the
Revolution in Congress.


"Libcriy, equality and fraternity" formed
the tripod Of the first French republic. That
monstrous abortion, however, proved such
hideous outrage upon liberty, such shocking
burlesque Of equality, and such a bloody
mockery Of fraternity, that France was only
too glad to escape from il in seeking The pro-
lection Of a military despotism. The transition
was from a reign of terror and anarchy to q
reign OF law and order; but the law was the
will of Napoleon, and the order was that of
the bayonet The Jacobins of Congress, with
their "dmis des noirS" and their dogma Of
"equal rights TO all men, which is equivalent
to the French tripod Of liberty, equality and
fraternity" are now actively employed in the
work Of Transforming our republic into an oil
garchy as the next step to an empire. We may
say that we have passed through the stages Of
the French National Assembly and the Conyen-
ton, and that we have arrived at the epoch of
the Directory, in connection with the two
chambers known as the Council Of Ancients
aud the Council OF Five Hundred, with our
Bonaparte behind the scenes, only awaiting hi,
call upon tho STAGE
"Old Thad Stevens" in the frank and fear
less declaration that "of course we are lcgis-
lating outside the constitution" has warned
the country that the rule Of the const;-
tuition has gone by, and that the will of
the party in power Is !" the supreme law of
the land" The experiment of the five Southern
military districts, with their five military die
tators, negro suffrage, &c, was based upon the
| plea Of necessity. The civil Tenure OF Office
bill was another necessity. Now, after the
failure of the Council of Five Hundred 10
impeach and remove President Johnson II has
become necessary to put him behind the Gen.
Old Thad's joint committee on reconstruction)
have accordingly framed and brought In their
bill for that purpose. AT the same time the
Council OF Ancients, in their reinstatement of
Secretary Stanton, have assumed tho power Of
appointing the Cabinet, and the bill before
them from the other House for the practical
removal OF the stumbling block Of the Supreme
| Court will doubtless receive their approval and
| become a law.
| All these startling revolutionary measures are
directed to the special object of rushing through
without further interruption the reconstruc-
tion Of the ten outside Southern States on the
basis Of negro suffrage and negro supremacy,
in order that said States may be hurried into
Congress and that their electoral votes, through
patched up negro radical majorities, may bo
secured TO the radical candidate for the Presi-
dency. But suppose the President and the
Supreme Court assume the responsibility and
"apply the brakes hard down" upon these
unconstitutional dolngs Of Congress, what then :
Unquestionably, we think, at this desperate
stage Of the contest, IL either the Executive or
the Supreme Court shall afford plausible pre-
text for Impeachment this last resort will be
adopted; for In the removal Of Andrew
johnson, and In the setting up Of "Old Ben
Wade" in his place, the administration will not
only be reconstructed upon the radical pro-
gramme, but the Supreme Court likewise. Tho
! President has the appointment Of the judges.
That is the present difficulty. But let "Old
Ben Wade" be put In the place OF johnson,
and bill for the appointment Of four or flvo
new Supreme judges will DO the next thing in
order. The radicals In Congress have the
p6wer--they have the will, too--and only want
convenient pretext 70 get Andrew johnson
out Of their way. They arc In critical situa-
tion. They have gone too far to retreat, and
their only chance is to hurry in tho rebel States
on their present negro supremacy status at all
hazards and without further loss Of time
7 President Johnson, tied hand and foot, can
| stll DO something to embarrAss tho radicals 10