New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-02-24
TILE r0RGElRANcE or CoNGRESS.

Now that Andrew johnson is about to be
arraigned before the Senate FOR the crime OF
defying the laws. it may be profitable to look
back at the action of Congress, especially upon
ohe question of impeachment. We do
this for the purpose of showing that the
representatives of the people have acted
with wisdom, prudence, and f0rDear-
ance. Possibly they have forborne too
long. We shall be told that we were all cow
ards for not impcachnng the President before
and that if we had taken this step in the be-
ginning there would be no trouble now.
Congress might, of course, have iInpeached
Mfr. johnson at any time. The Republican party
was in power. 1t had not only majority, but
enough votes to control veto, and pass laws in
spite of the Executive. 1t is difficult to imagine
greater power, or one more delicate TO man
age. The temptations of all great majoritlcs
is to tyranuze. Here was a party fresh from
the great war, triumphant over rebellion, and
eager TO reap the fruits Of victory by speedy
reconstruction Here was its President, so ad-
vanced in Radicalsm that many prudent men
were afraid he would execute all the Rebels
within his reach. Surely, men said, this Presl-
dent has seen the South he has been through
the fiery furnace he is scared with tho flames
of rebellion, and he will give US a reconstruc-
ton that will be just humane, and prompt.
Congress was disappointed. Mr.. Johnson had
made himself vice-P President by prctendin g to
be an extreme Radical. That was in war times.
There were, eleven States to return. In all
probability they would be Democratic. He
would insistsupon their admission. He would
be their champion and friend. lie would ally
himself with the Democratic party of the North,
and then be elected President. We believe
this has been Mr. Johnson's purpose since the
beginning of his Administration. We believe
he has always intended to betray the Republic
can party, and with it to betray Congress.
For this he has labOrcd with tenacity which
has no parallel in history-with ali energy
worthy of better cause. During all the time
that the President was planning, intriguing,
arranging, backing and filing, saying one
thing to-day and another tomorrow, Congress
treated him with courtesy and patience. Not
one word was said Of dissent--impeaehment
was never breathod.
For the Now Orleans riots Mr.. Johnson is
responsible. No fair man can read the evidence
without seeing that his hands are stained with
the blood of loyal men. He is responsible for
the great deficiency in the revenue. He de-
based that service to crafty his ambition.
When 1t was necessary to construct a Pha-
delphia Convention, postmasters were removed
by the hundred, and the collection Of the
revenues twas transferred to those of his
creatures who would accept the degrading
office. Their needs were mainly pecuniary. and
tie surest way of supplying them was to have
the gathering of the taxes. The result is
that, under Mr.. Johnson, corruption in the rev.
enue service has been reduced to science.
We have men making fraud O profession,
organizing it into "ring," and Boosting that
with their money they can control his Admin
istration. We believe that IL this whisky tax
alone were made matter of inquiry, enough
would be found to warrant the impeachment of
the President. For the failure of reconstruc-
ton he Is prominently responsible. Beginning
his Administration by loudly proclaiming his
intention to hang the Rebels, lie speedily took
to giving them Offices. Clamorously insisting
that his policy was 10 bring the States back