The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-10
CHI. A r ES TON +.
FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 10, 1868.
The President and MIR. Stanton.

The report of Senator HOWARD in the
case of Mr.. STANTON is not 30 much de-
fence of the suspended Secretary as crlti-
cism of the conduct of the President in
opposing the will of Congress in the matter
of reconstruction. 1t is more important IN
subject ghaH strong in argument; and,
while it may Aatter the pride of Mr.. STAN
TON, it is not likely to secure to him new
lease of that power which he used with so
little discretion.
Senator Howard says that Congress in
tended to prevent such removal as that OF
Mr. STATION, and that the President should
have been notified that there was cause for
suspension. This will be admitted; but
MIR. JOHNSON must be guided BY the laws
of Congress, and not by its intentions, and,
that he cid satisfy himself that there was
good reason for the removal of the Secreta-
ry-at-W War, his message to the Senate is
sufficient proof Nor can Mr.. HOWARD
sustain his position that the President has
recognized the constitutionality of the Ten
ure of Office act by suspending Mr.. STANTON
under its provisions. No act Of the Presl-
dent can make constitutional what is In
itself unconstitutional; no official act can
make that legal which is in itself illegal; as
we'll might it be said that the President, IN
assigning General CASsY to the command
of this military district, acknowledged the
binding force and constitutionality OF the
reconstruction laws.
The report then analyses the Presidents
message to Congress in relation to Mr.
SrANrcs, and asserts that it has been the
aim of Mr. JOHNSON to thwart and hinder
the success of reconstruction. This being
asserted to be the case, although it cannot
be- shown that the President has in any in
stance failed to enforce any act of Congress
whatsoever, Senator HOWARD applauds the
refusal of Mr.. STANTON to resign, and COM
plimenis warmly his "eminent talents, his
patriotism, mis- vigilance, his untiring devo-
tion." It is then denied that MIR. STANTON
was at one time in accord with the Presi-
DENTAL policy, and objections is made to Mr.
JoHNsoN's claim that he is responsible for
the conduct of the Executive Department.
The Nav Orleans riot is dragged in and
discussed at length. and the report concludes
with a resolution that the Senate do mt
concur in the suspension of Mr. STANTON.
Whea the report of the committee is
adopted by the Senate the tug of war will
come; and then it will be seen whether Mr..
JOHNSON will allow Mr.. STANTON to return
to his old Office, or whether he will sum-
marily dismiss him, in defiance of what
Congress may threaten or wish to do. The
course of General GRANT will be carefully
watched by both Democrat and Radical;
and, whether he dismisses himself or de-
olines to give up possession to Mr.. STANTON,
he will probably be compelled to. commit
himself definitely as an opponent or a sup
porter of the policy of Congress.
But interest in the late Secretary of War
is gradually growing less. There is no de-
msnd that he be reinstated; there is no
shouting against Mr.. JOHNSON; there is no
important expression Of opinion either one
way Ut the other except within the walls of
the capitol. Practical reconstruction and
the management of the debt are the ques'
,ions which press upon the national mind,
and whilst subjects of 80 much gravity are
forced upon public attention Mr.. STANTON
cannot expect to enjoy even the barren
honors OF political martyrdom.