Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-03-08
THE SPIRIT THAT RULES.

II is remarkable how men will permit
partisan feeling to warp their judgment
This has been forcibly illustrated in the
action Of the Radicals 10 Ohio. On the
Dist of June, 1865, that party held State
Convention at Columbus, and among the
resolutions adopted is the following:
Resolved, That President Andrew John
son, by his unwavering devotion TO the
Union through years Of severess trial, has
won our highest confidence; that oe cheer
fully indorsc he policy If HIS administration,
looking 10 the restoration Of peace and civil
order in the so-ealled seeded States; and
that, az Union aen Of Ohio, WE WILL GIVE
HIM OUR HEARTY AND UNDIVIDED SUP
PORT"
= At that date, the reconstruction policy
Of President johnson had been fully de-
veloped, and it was regarded by the men
who elevated him to the Vice Presidency
as in complete and perfect accordance
with Mr. Lincoln; and hence the un-
reserved Endorsement of that policy by
the Republican State Convention of Ohio.
The reconstruction policy of the Presi-
dent is the same to-day that it was on the
Dist Of June, 1865, but Sumner, and
Wade, aud Stevens, and few other wild
and revolutionary spirits who rule Con-
gress, and through HAT body the nation,
determined upon a policy intended to de-
grade the white pe0pl. Of the South to
the level Of their former slaves To car
~ this policy through, it was necessary
10 make a vigorous and malignant war
upon the President, and il has been done
without stint The Republican masses,
in the blindness and bigotry Of partisan
zeal, took sides with these political gam
blers-for their course has given no eVi>
deuce Of statesmanship-snd turned upon
and denounced the policy they had APP
proved The most conclusive evidence
is furnished ia one of the resolutions
adopted ty the Radical State Convention
of Ohio at its meeting on the 4th inst
which is as follows:
Resolved, That the chief obstruction
TO the pscifcation Of the country has been
the persistent opposition Of Andrew John
son 10 the reconstruction of civil govern
ment in the rebellious States, under the
authority of national legislation, by keep
ing alive the spirit Of rebellion, and reYi-
wing the hopes of restoration 10 politi-
cal power Of its great ally, the Democratic
party"
The Radicals of Ohio, inconsistent and
vindictiTe a. they have shown them
selves, have done no worse than their
brethren Of other States Political virtue
has drifted to a very low ebb in these
days rs it right Is it constitutional p
are never asked in regard to a measure
claiming the attention of the people, as
was the case in the better days Of the
republic, but what will be its effect
upon thu party p is the paramount con-
sideration. 1t is this spirit, fostered by
the bold, bad men of the country through
an obsequious Congress, that has brought
upon us the troubles that now so serious
ly menace the peace and safety of the
government of our fathers. Opposition
to their nefarious schemes must be beat
en- down at all hazards Ii it cannot be
done within it must he done Outside of
the Constitution" as Thad. Stevens
frankly confesses much of their work in
this direction has been done The Radi- |
Gals Of the North became intoxicated
upon the war, and have not yet recovered |
from that memorable debauch, and they
seem ready now, in their ribald frenzy,
to dance a hornpipe upon the grave of |
free government