Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-22
Knoxville, Tenn, January 20, 1858.
Fhe PresLdent and COngress.

Political events succeed each other in the United
States 90 rapidly and 90 vsriously at to defy any
accurate prophecy Of the future. Rapidly as the
nation was making history during the war; the rate
Of progress has been scarcely less since. The ex-
elements which attend follow these sudden turns
Of our cbeckered political history are almost equal
70 those produced BY kilograms from Vicksburg or
Mission Ridge or from Savannah, when Grant and
Sherman we're making rebellion costly If not odious.
This intense interest which attaches 10 the move
ments Of johnson and Of Congress, and which has
continued unhaggingy from the moment Of John
sons detection snd defiance ia not unlike TO that of
Che Englirh people during the struggles Of success
Eive parlaments against the lawless tyranny and
usurpstiou Of Charles the First, and which en6ed
Ia bis beheaoing and the supremacy Of the popular
branch Of the government Nor is the struggle
itself much dissimilar johnson seems determined
20 uturp powers which the Constitution and the
people have wisely determined shall rest with the
supreme Legislature Of the nation It is then, only
q change in some Of the incidents and actors. The
principles involved are substantially the same now
when armed, lswless rebellion sought the life Of
the nation. Then JEFF. Davis and the rebel Con
gress seized the nation by the throat and sought TO
srangle IL 10 death. Now His Accidencv," whom
the bullet Of an assassin made President assisted
by the same party in the North who we're the faith.
fol allies Of the rebels during the war seizes the
laW-making branch Of the government by the throat
ard demands lie submission 10 him or he win take
its life. It is grapple of coordinate powers Of
the government, and ii involves the overthrow OF
the the other unless Mr. johnson shall recede
from his arrogant assumptions.
The people could not then, be otherwise than
deeply INTERESTED in successive phases of the con.
hict. There is no msiaking where or what their
sympAthies They could not be buliied nor bat
lied from their stesdfast loyalty by the Southern
chivAlry BEFORE nor by the Southern armed hosts
o. treason and rebellion during the war. They can.
not and they will not he tricked now out of the lib
critics purchased by the blood Of patriots, by one
man nor by ten times ten thousand men Sad
however, is the necessity which imposes this anxiou.
watch and guard by the friends Of freedom. Sad
that when the nation demands repose from the
fierce struggle through which il has passed that it
may recuperste it, energies for new and grander
march Of progress Is should still be held in painful
injuriop unsuiet in hazardous PrOtrActOd agony d
suspense.
The protraotion Of these thross Is distressing
bUt X Toe loyal are VRAnt and steadfast II can have
but one ending. 1t win result in the deserved over
throw Of despots and would-bs dctators and in the
establishment Of the government upon better and
surer foundations.
Mr.. johnson has shown himself bold, bad man,
Of much more resolution, pluck, than some had
awarded him. But lot him beware how he presumes
too far upon the moderation and lenity of excited
and indignant people. Lot him pause before be at
empts to vault tho barriers which the Constitution
and the supreme Legislature Of the nation have
erected 70 protect their liberties. The American
people are not Frenchmen. They will not for one
moment tolerate a coupe d ssoL II Mr.. johnson
Sspires 30 initiate Louis Napoleon let him remember
the fate Of Charles the First.
The temple Of American liberty is guarded by
more than million swords. If Mr.. johnson at
tempts by unlawful violence 10 whelm it in ruins
be will End that he has only rushed upon sure and
sudden destruction
We are no AlArmist We have not lost confidence
in the ultimate triumph Of the cause of law and
liberty But We may not fail to warn our readers
that the peril Of ID 1T greater than
now; that never more than At present was there
greater need Of patient, intelligent wntchfe loyal.
". nForewarneG is forearmed." Look well to
your guards. Watch out against treachery and
usurpation