New-York tribune., 1868-01-17


would not do, and they were dismissed. The
War Minister was stricken down, and the two
trusted generals were disgraced. Sickles was
degraded to a cOlonelcy, and Sheridan sent
out to the Indian country. Tammany Hall
Democrat was found for New Orleans, and in
stead of carrying out the law of Congress, the
generals were directed to carry out " the Pres
"ident's great work OF Constitutional freedom"
This, at least, was the way the Presidents or
gan EXPRESSED il. The understanding, which
morally was as much contract as though it
had been solcmnly executed between the Pres
ident and Congress, had been violated
"Let this man be impeached" said large
number of our friends. We deemed impeach-
ment to be unwise, because we saw more evils
to come from the overthrow OF the President
a tedious ceremony of law with doubtful
result-than by keeping him in his place under
proper legislative control. Probably we were
wrong and trusted too much in the sober
second thought of the President. BE that as 1t
may, Congress agreed with us, and impeacll-
ment was suspended. 1t will be an admontlon,
we hoped, and the President will be wise.
Folly has been succeeded by folly, and mad
ness by madness. Mr. Stanton was removed
The President felt that his duty was to sub
nit his action to the Senate. The Senate over
ruled him. Cen. Grant retired from the War
Office, and Mr.. Stanton was again Secretary.
What do we see2 The President proclams to
the world that he has been cheated, swindled'
deceived. his coincidence abused. He did not
intend that Mr.. Stanton should como back the
Senate concurring OF nOn-cOncuriing. Presl-
"dent Johnson murmurs the Official organ,
"was greatly surprised at the surrender by
" Gen. Grant of the trust Ieposed IN hlm rs
Secretary of War Gd Interim The people
"of the country will doubtless be startled at
"the communication that Mr.. Stanton has so
"quicdy resumed possession of the War
Department" The World says that
Grant "has acted part inconsistent with
"his honor as gentleman and his duty
cas- a soldier :" and another writer, who
is known to be in the confidence of the
President, intimates that Gen. Grant will be
placed under arrest, and Lieut.. Gen. Sherman
given command of the Army. This means that
the President intended to make an issue with
Congress-to have "A quarrel-and not to obey
the law. lie did not intend to do this i'll his
own person, but through the medium of Grant.
Grant was TO be the wcap0n-the nominal
combatant-and behind his popularity the
President would shield himself, rs he has done
a hundred times before. lie would Kill two
birds with one stone. He would ruin Grant
with the country by placing him in antagonism
TO the law; and he would keep Stanton out of
the War Office.
Because Cen Grant declines to do Mr.. John
Ia ia
paw, and cover the nfamics Of the Admins
tration with the lustcr of his great name, the
President howls with disappointed rage, and
his followers foam with Indignation We
honor Gen. Grant for what he has done. We
regard these attacks upon his truthfulness us
the baying of so many hounds. In question
of veracity between Ulysses S. Grant and An
drew johnson, between soldier whose
honor ia as untarnished az the sun, and
President who has betrayed every
friend. and broken every promise, the country
will not hesitate. Let this fight be open and
manly. II Andrew johnson means 10 dqy this
Tenure-oE OGce lar, and make a udr upon The
com i,y let him DO IL if he dare, AID take The
consequences! Edwin NJ. Stanton is Secretary
of War, and he can only be removed by the
operation of law. OF course, the President does
not desire him in the War Office; but neither
does he want Mr. Stevens in the House, nor
Mr. Sumner in the Senate. He wishes their
absence so badly that he has publicly expressed
his opinion they should be hung Still, they
are in Congress, just as Stanton is in the Cab
met they are officers of the Government, and
must be respected.
"Let Stanton resign" say some and thus
tide over this trouble We beg Mr. Stanton
not TO resign If we are to have n contest
with President Johnson Of decisive character,
the sooner it comes the better. We have had
enough of patience, compromise, fQrbearance.
Our cause Is that Of justice, and we owe the
millions of helpless loyalists in the South too
much to see them sacrificed TO the spirit OF
Slavery and Treason which now rules incarnate
in the person of Andrew johnson. There
fore, we say, let the President, if he dare, put
n finger upon Mr.. Stanton or Gen. Grant. We
have sacrificed too much for freedom to see it
stifed in night by these cOnspirators against
the public good. These men are enemies of the
Republic. Under the pretense of saving the
country and executing the laws they are labor
ing to bring anarchy upon us. They seek to
make the South hell, to have race to be ar
rayed against race, and vengeance to take the
place of justice. Every step that the loyal
men have taken toward reconstruction is op-
posed, and the President of the United States,
the sworn executor of the law, stands to-day
in the position of its most persistent and power
full foe. But for him every Southern State
would be in Congress, and the country would
be satisfied
"Yes, but we will lose the elections cay
some, "and the Copperheads will triumph
UyoII x-o bovn board tbot bafora and tVa find