The New York herald., 1868-02-26
The scnndnlous Conflict nj Wnsbingt on
Tho Government Under a Cloud,

The scnndaious Confics nj Wasbingron-
Tho Government Under a Cloud.
three-penny tax on tea precipitated the
American Revolution. British taxation with
out representation detached thirteen of its
choicest American colonies from The British
Crown, and eliminated in their recognition as
the Independent republic Of the United States
Of America. In 1889 the States were estab
lisEed in "the more perfect Union or the
federal constitution. Under this government
notwithstanding the blotch Of African slavery,
the country fourished as "the model republic"
down to the late prosavery rebellion. As
model OF popular sovereignty, prosperity,
economy and taxations SO light as hardly to be
felt, its tame extended "from the rivers TO the
ends of the EARTH" The down-trodden peoples
Of the Old World looked Westward with long
ing eyes and ouispoken aspirations, while their
royal rulers and feudal aristocracies preached
and plotted our demoraliz ation, dissolution
and destruction. With the suppression of the
most formidable rebellion in the history Of the
human race we achieved something more In
addition to the simplicity freedom and cheap
ness Of our popular institutions, as proved in
peace, their inherent strength in the severesi
trials Of war became he wonder and admirs-
ton OF the world.
Eut where are we nowi Where are the
economy and cheapness Of our republican sys-
TEN! How paltry appear the stamp acts AMI
tea taxes Of the old British colonial regime
Uis-d-uis with the imposing schedules OF our
present internal revenue system Six hundred
millions year in federal taxations, and all
absorbed in federal extravagances, corruptions
and spoliations, is startling exhibit. The
charm OF cheGpness in our republican institu-
tions is gone Ours has become the most ex-
pensiye government to the people OF any in
the world, excepting that Of the republic of
Mexico, where anarchy is the normal condition
OF things. This scandalous conflict between
President and Congress, since the end OF the
war, has cost the country some two or three
hundred millions year. And what Ia 1t all
for! On the par. Of this radical Congress- il is
oil for the maintenance Of their party in power
through universal negro suffrage and negro
political ascendancy In the reconstructlon
topsy turvy OF the rebel States On the part OF
the President Il is . mixture OF retaliation.
sslfconceit offended pride and ambitious
folly. Congress sees nothing but johnson as
the great impediinent TO reconstruction, and
johnson sees nothing but Congress. Johnson
accuses Congress Of usurpations and despotc
laws, while Congress impeaches johnson OF
high crimes and misdemeanors." johnson
will not have Stanton to rule over him, law or
no law and Stanton-the man becoming the
master with the law In his hand and the
Senate 81 his back, persists in overruling
Johnson.
Such is the demorallzing conflict, such is the
costly farce at Washington which now over.
shadows and supersedes all tho practical func-
tions Of the government II is enough to
bring the blush OF shame upon the cheek OF
the honest citizen st the bare recital OF the
facts and cause him to deplore the long inter
val which delays judgment from the people.
Such spectacle Of conflicting elements OF
fans,icsm, passion and folly Is as repugnani to
an intelligent and thinking people as the fierce
Intestine commissions which transformed the
French republic into military despotism, and
because The repulsive exhibition 10 suggestive
of similar conclusion. If the appointed time
for the Presidential election we're at hand,
involving the election OF new Congress, we
should have such a judgDan, from the Ameri-
can people, in the vindlcstion OF their sove-
reign authority as would doubtless be . warn
ing 70 Presiden, and Congress for generations
to come. Mr.. Johnson would discover in the
summins up that men are judged by facts and
results, and this radical Congress, weighed in
the balances and found wanting would be
ruled out
Mr. johnson, while wranghng with Congress
upon this thing, that thing and the other, has
had his eye 700 much upon the democratic
party, and oil TO no purpose while the two
houses Of Congress- In their efforts TO cripple
and lie up the hands Of sn in,ractable Exscu-
tive, have made . record which calls for their
own impeachment and removal from power.
The people cannot immediately reach these
| wrapGlipG and disordsrly soryauts a B nth end.