New-York tribune., 1868-04-22
A FITNESS WHOM GEN BUTLER DID NOT
nlTJ


The ~ y. Times is one OF the very few Jour-
nails which, being quoted as Republican, talk
as if the impeachment of Johnson were unwar-
ranted and unjustiiabe. In view OF this atti-
tude, we call especial attention to the leading
Editorial in The Times of August 29th 1857.
1t is, uerbdtin, as follows:
JOHNSON AND GRANT THE INEVITABLE COLLISION
The Washington correspondents doing battle upon the
question whether conflict has actually occurred between
the President and Gen. Grant or not BY some 1t Is al
legged that rupture took place between them In Cabinet
Council on Tuesday; by Others it is declared that the
meeting passed without difficulty and that Mr. johnson
and tho General still good friends The informant OF
The Boston Post, which shares with our neghbor, Ihe
Herald tho dubious honor o. Mr. JOhnsons condolences
furnishes circumsanta narrative. which makes clear
the fact of serious differences tho determination OF the
President to the ad interim Secretary and his pur
pose TO push the point OF difference to extremties
Really however st not necessary to look for expana
tons or assurances upon this head Matters have gone
too far to render doubt Misrepresentation reasonable
Mr. johnson has entered upon course which shuts out
tho last chance OF reconciliation and renders all compro
mise impossible. Vows and protestatons will serve him
no longer Preteuses with compliance with the law which
he trying to obstruct longer admissible HIS
parroalk about the Constitution Is laughed at as sheer
and hypocrisy. He stands revealed an enemy
not Congress aud ts laws than Of tho country and
hope OF mpelled only by reckless nagnity and
ambition. he has reopeDed tho quarrel In
shape which renders his fate and the duty OF the govern
ing party perfectly clear Asbetween the Executive and
the people represented by Congress- there viii now be
neither the giving nor the taking OF quarter Mr. John
son has unsheathcd the sword OF dsturber and usu
er and there can be further parley with him.
A conflict with Gen Grant ia. then. simply question
Of time The Generals cooness and sagacity may enable
him for a brief period to avert open rupture. but
come II must. eventually, unless Mr. johnson abandon
his preteusOns-and that step would not save him
or unless himself recede from the position In
winch Congress mas placed him. Neither OF these contn
eencios being probable the collision, which now forms
subject Of gossip and speculation, must be ccnsdeied
certain
That this estimate OF the case Il not exaggerated is
proved by the that exists between the Chains
OF tho President and the duties and responsibilities Of the
General Admitting that the former yet possesses the
power OF removing the district commanders, and recOg-
nzing obvious his purpose retain in command only
those who share his hostility to tho form and spirit Of
the Reconstruction acs 1t Is plain that there his author
ity ends over all else the GeneranChef is supreme.
Being clothed by the law with the power Of revising, re-
vokng confirming the doings Of the district command
ers. ho holds in his hands the means OF counteracng
much OF the mischief to be apprehended from the Presi
dents removals IL Is possible for him 10 impose an alb
souto check upon those whom Mr. Johnson may send to
exeouts his WILL by the hrmness and vigilance OF
control 10 make them instruments OF carrying ont the
law All this Gen. Grant may do. All this the law en-
joins him to do. And by doing II promptly and WELL he
may the Illustrate the Vaccinations OF tho
President
But to this exercise OF lawful authority tho part of
Gen Grant Mr.. Johnson refuses TO quietly submit Az
Commandern Chief under the Constitution, he claims
the right not only to and appoint but also TO in
struot OF the hoOwness OF his claim 1t is scarcely
ccssary TO speak for even the COmmanderin Chief albeit
hold n INDEPENDENTLY of
governed by Its laws in the exercise OF his functions
AbsIractons ASIDE however the President has asserted
his preensons In this respect in the cases OF Hancock
and Candy, and not permitted to suppose that he
will qualify them when the eXgences of his position
grow moro mperious. The explanation supplied at his
instance to The Boston Post is too explicit to be msunder
stood Under the prctense of upholdng the law, he is
attempting annul those OF It's provisions which confer
Gen Grant the task Of supervising and regulating its
administration. Mr johnson is, IN fact exercising an
authority which the law declares is no longer his. and
to this extent seeking to curta tho powers OF Gen.
Grant.
The gift Of prophecy not needed to tell how this con-
ct OF preension with lawful power will end. positive
collision may be averted today, perhaps tomorrow per
haps a week II Gen. Grants habitual moderation sug
gests temporary methods OF escape But In the nature OF
things these expedents cannot endure. Mr.. Johnsons
during the last few months has shown that he can
not appreciate moderation and that forbearance but
feeds his arrogance The truce OF today will prompt
him TO urge further demands tomorrow; and at last
Gen. Grant obeyng the dictates Of duty will he com
PEELED attitude OF open. ayowed hostility
The prospect Is not pleasant one, but we shall gain
nothing by ignoring its probabilities or closing our eyes
to ITS pers Its consolation to feel that, as be-
tween Mr. Johnson and the bold bad men who surround
him and Congress with Gen Grant at its side the utl
mate result doubtful But this certainty OF hna
triumph for the right does not afford compensation for
the immediate injury to business, and the losses aud
gloom Of the intervening period. which proceed from Mr.
JOhnson's wild and wicked proceedings