The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-04-24

The Revelation in the Govcrnmcnt-The
Constitution ms 1t Is to Be-A Call Upon
MIR. Belmont.
Manager Boutwels argument before the
Senate in behalf of the removal of President
johnson gives us very broadly and comprehen-
sivoly the constitution of the United States as
it is to be under the Interpretation of this
radical Congress. "The constitution as ii
was before the late rebellion, in all that
relates to negro slavery and our political
system resting upon that institution, was
destroyed by the rebellion. The amendment
prohibiting slavery or involuntary servitude
within the jurisdiction OF the United States,
Incorporated into the instrument in c0nse-
quence Of the practical suppression Of negro
slavery by the war, as the cause and controlling
power OF the rebellion, made great revolu-
ton in the constitution. That amendment has
wiped out all the pre-existing distinctions in
our Magma Cbarta between the white, red and
black races of the United States, excepting
| Indians not taxed" The constitution as it
| is" therefore, ia just the difference between
the supreme law resting upon negro slavery
4
universal liberty.
But. still. the constitution as il is re-
cognizcs three distinct departments in the
government the legislative, the executive
and the judicial-thc first to make the laws,
the second to execute the laws. and the third
to expound the laws. Down to these "Latter
Day Saints in Congress each OF these de-
partmcnts has been regarded by the other two
as possessing certain powers and rights which
could not be taken away; but under the lcgis-
lation of this and the last Congress. both
substantially the same, the President has
become q mere automaton and the Su-
premc Court a mere nullity in the presence
of Congress. In the matter OF Southern
reconstruction we have seen the execution OF
The laws taken out of the hands of the Presi-
dent and transferred to the General-in-Chief Of
the army; and we have seen the authority Of
the President as Commander in Chief Of the
army substantially taken away in a law requir.
ing all his military orders to pass the inspection
and approval of General Grant. We hav,
,, seen. too. the Presidents hands 80 tied mp IL
reference to removals and appointments of hi
4 executive subordinates that under the Tenure
: of Office law an obnoxious subordinate, pro
= tected by Congress, has become the master o
!. the administration and the instrument OF tn
n Presidents impeachment. Asfor the Suprcm
e Court, we have seen in the bill heading of 1t
y decisions that the court Is perfectly powerles
~ to render any decision against the laws or tn
O. will of two-thirds radical vote in each hous
OF OF Congress.
ns Mr.. Manager Boutwell,, therefore, IL only sus
- tanning the system of legislation which he Ia
OF assisted in prosecuting In contending that Con
gress is the government and that the Presiden
Is. and Supreme Court are nothing more tina
10 lacqueys and clerks attendant upon the tw
,s houses, and subject in all things to their goo
Nv will and pleasure. OF course all this Is due t
N the presence Of two-thirds radical vote i
nd both houses, party vote which, in compassin
re the power of overriding the Presidents vetoe
,v and the power Of impeachment, makes Cor
IS gress an absolute directory contingenc
never dreamed Of as possible by the Trainer
Ia of the constitution. But 80 Il is and If. afte
an Johnson's removal, we are favored wit
81 bill injecting radical majority into I'll
iu. Supreme Court, and bill extending uniyers,
use negro suffrage over all the States, and bi
coniscating the property of white rebels In III
10, South and dividing II into homesteads for n
lies LOYAL blacks. and bill erasing the names "