New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-01-18

known to be bitterly opposed, and they
had been instructed that ia the discharge
that duty they were to obey the law only,
and not the orders of the president. Ii
was quite idle to address such proelsma-
ton to men who conceived that the law was
above the president, and that their duty
was to obey it, and dissbey him should the
law require Aip to do so. With one of
these commanders he had already quar-
relied, and he had been removed. Three of
the remaining four Mr.. johnson had tested
and found incorruptible, He decided on
their removal The one-legged Sckles
was ordered to the North, and Candy reigns
in bis stead. Pope gives place to Meade,
and Ord makes room for Gillem, who only
holds the reins until Rousseau can come
TO take them.
In what way the new commanders will
execute their duties remains to be seen.
But these changes are not made without
purpose. They are all part of the same
stupendeus whole. But if they are to do
any thing to aid the president in the con-
summation of his intrigue they must do it
quickly. Time presses. The work of re-
construction is nearly accomplished. The
constitution of one state is framed, and the
election upon it takes place on the 4th
of next month. The conventions of five
others are in session, and their elections
will soon follow. The arch-conspirator
can not hesitate much longer before he de-
velops his next and final scheme. The
curtain is about to rise upon the fifth act of
the tragedy, or the comedy, as the case
may be.
The supreme court of the United States
is about to be compelled to give decision
as to the constitutiOnality of the recon
struction laws. The attempt that was
made last summer to obtain such decision
by the governors of Georgia and Missis-
sippi failed. It is said that the present
attempt will not fail. 1t has been skillfully
planned A rebel editor in Mississippi
makes of himself an impeachment to recon
struction. He is arrested, brought before
I q military commission found guilty, and
sentenced to Imprisonment. These
proceedings are all perfectly lawful
under the provisions of the recon
struction laws; but what if those
laws are themselves unlawful Aye
There's the rub His counsel has applied
for writ of habeas corpus, and upon the
hearing of that petition before the supreme
court of the United States the question Of
the constitutionality of the law under which
civilian is tried by military commission
in time of peace is to &c settled, Four of
the nine judges of the supreme court are
understood to believe that the law is con
stitutional the remaining FIVE judges, and
the attorney general, are supposed to enter
tain the opposite opinion. Before a full
bench, the case can scarcely end but in nne
way. The law will DO declared unconsti-
tutional al proceedings under it win be
illegal; and the wheels of reconstruction
must at once be blocked
What then is 10 follow? Can it be doubt
ed what will follow, when the animus ofth
president and the proclamation of the Sd Of
September are remembered? The duty of
all military officers is to obey the president
and to sustain the courts. The court de-
cides that the reconstruction law is void and
of no effect the president orders the dis
trict commanders to cease all proceedings
under the illegal enactment all that has
been accomplished uader it is swept away.
We fall back at once TO where we were
when Lee and johnson surrendered, and
the presidents triumph is complete
These are the breakers ahead Onward
We drift toward them, with Andrew John
son at the helm. Ohe or two watchful
men, ever on the lookout, peer through the
darkness and discern the danger, and utter
the cry Of wsrniAg. But it is almost nm
needed. Congress squabbles over whisky
meters and listens to eloquent speeches on
the rights Of Fenian patriots, and the ship
hurries on to her doom. Who will save
her--or are her timbers 80 stanch and
her crew so skillfal that she msy even
strike on the hidden rock, and, rebounding
from the blow. glide over its raging foam
into the still waters Of peace! If the col
lisiOn would only throw the helmsman
overheard, it would be almost worGh while
to risk ii.