The New York herald., 1868-02-25
The ssnsclcss Sensation and Noise s"s
Confusiss as Washington.

sp0ona Tho very air over THAT hosoeo VI
political panics seems 10 be full OF "gorgons,
hydras and chmeras Dire" Never, since the
demoraiized fragments Of General McDowells
army. like roughs from q prize fight pursued
by the police, came streaming over the Long
Bridge from the ars. Bull Run, with "Bull Run
Russell" at the head Of them-never has there
been such a commotion as this among the
Washington politicians Comparative quietpre-
vailed when, in 1864, the rebel General Early
was laundering at the very gates OF the capi-
tai, and comparative calmness on Pennsylvania
avenue followed the startling event OF Presi-
den. Lincoin's assassination. great war,
with its severe lessons, momentOus events and
responsibilities, had trained the minds OF men
| for great emergencies; but three years OF
uneasy peace have placed US again, TO some
extent, at the mercy Of panic and mischief
making spoils and plumber politicians. And
so it appears we are on the brink OF another
civil war, like that between King and Pdilia-
ment AMI mastering regiments and squadrons,
and camps and Notifications, and
Bombs guns drums and batteries,
and moving armies and bloody battles and
burning cities, are to be again the order Of the
day as the final settlement Of this scanlalous
conflict between President and Congress.
| But wherefore? The House OF Representa-
tives has p ssed resolution for The impeach-
ment Of Andrew johnson. The Senate will
| probably convict him and remove him upon
the charges preferred by the House, and
accordingly we are to have a Mexican pronun-
/
Brooks h IS warned the radicals of the dangers
involved in this impeachment business in
democratic speech smelling strongly Of villa
nous gunpowder. Governor Gelry, of Penn
sylvania, on the other hand, tells Congress to
stand firm and not to be frightened, for, says
he, volunteers for the good cause are coming
forward; but still the radicals Of the two
houses are badly scared. They are evidently
afraid that Andrew Johnson means to try the
role Of "Oid Noll," by walking first into the
House and then into the Senate, and turning
them all out Of doors. Supposing, however,
that this terrible Johnson has been dreaming
Of some such folly, how is he to go about it
this dreadful usurper,
Who never led squadron to the neld,
Nor the divisions OF = battle knowsY
He must have a general to lead his forces.
Where is he! Grant has disgusted and Houts
bis superior officer; Sherman declines his
hon0rs. and Thomas not the inofensive old
man badgering Stanton, but tn, fighting
Thomas-snubs him Sheridan is a tearing radi-
cal, and Meade has proved little worse than
Pop. Hancock is LETT, but it is doubtless too
late even for Hancock.
The President, then, has no fighting general
to back him. Where, next, arc his soldiers
All bis orders to the regular army must pass
through the hands Of General Grant. Such is
the law. The President, tLsn, has only the
men in buckram OF Mr.. Brooks to rely upon,
and by the time they eau be mustered they
will be no longer wanted. II Mr.. johnson.
therefore, with sulphur aud saltpetre, were
| disposed to fight he is in no position to fight !;
and so there can 90 no fight with sulphur and
saltpetre.
Bat, again, wat Is there to fight about in
| this needessly ala ming scramble of the poll
ticisns for the nexs Presidency Let us sup
pose that Mr. Johnson is not only impeached
by the House, but aijudgcd guilty and re-
moved by the Senate lis there any cause or in
ducement for civil war in this? None wnat-
cver The two houses of Congress are empow-
cred in plan terms by tho constitu ton to do
this thing, and there is no appeal Suppose,
then that "Old Ben Wade,' that implacable
radical, is installed in the Wits House in the
place Of Andrew Johnson, and th t under
Wade's administration the whole radical pro-
gramme Of revolutionary reconstruction, in all
its length and brealth, is carried out, will
there be any other rescue for the county and
constitution than an appeal to arms? Yes !;
and right at hand. The constitution has pro-
vided the remedy in provil ling that, fresh from
the people, the House of Representatives, shall
be elected every two years-the term of each
Congress; and has so arranged it that for
each Congress one-third Of the Senate shall be
elected. In the State elections OF next autumn
with few cxcep:ious) the members Of the
House oi Representatives for the Forty-firss
Congress are 10 be elected, and the Legis-
latures from which will com, the one-third
Infusion OF new members into the Senate,
exclusive Of the additions to come in from the
late rebel States. The Senate, under the frs.
wv yOato " iVtSt VI ncAt
will doubtless DO radical but the House Of
Representatives may be revolutionized in the
elections OF next 'all. Here is tho remedy Of
the people against the usurpa.ions Of Congress.
Under this wise psecauion of a new House OF
Representatives at the end Of every two years
he unconstitutional legislation Of this Congress
may 30 repe'lei or rendered imperative by
the next for President and Senate have been
and may be largely controlled by an opposi-
tion majority, and even by strong opposition
minority in he House. And yet, again, If in
the popular judgment there shall appear an
outrageous dsgrsd ,ton of the Presidential
Office BY The party in power, the people will
nave the remedy in the election in November