The New York herald., 1868-03-24
Progress of the Revolution.

Progress of the Revolution.
Regarded in its historical as well as in it's
political significance, the trial of the President
of the United States is as important as was
the trial of Charles the First. By the execu-
tion of the King the party that carried that
| measure cast away the pretence that it's pur-
pose was the reform and publication of
power, and showed that it was struggling only
to secure the supremacy in the State of certain
agitators. 1t had authority to correct abuses,
and it proceeded to reconstruct the govern
ment in its own interest, thus plunging head
long into the disorganization of revolutionary
tumult by way Of remedying ancient evils. All
before that had been the strife between the
departments of government strife growing
constantly more bitter and raging in battle,
but still strife between extreme interpreta-
tions of prerogative. But that act was the
assumption that the triumphant faction was the
nation; for within a week after the Kings re-
moval the Commons voted the abolition of the
Office of king and declared the other House of
Parliament ''uselcss and dangerous" The
significance of Mr.. Johnson's trial now is
this 1t shows that we have come to the es-
sential fact that we have reached that point
in our revolution where the triumphant faction
abolishes the Executive. Impatient at even
the mere hint of restraint on its acts, it pro-
ceeds to. paralyze the arm that wields the
sword of the nation, fearing for its Interior
purposes if that depositary of power remain
intact. 1t matters not that there is neither
headsman's axe nor guillotine in the case.
This is the accident of the century. We live
in an age when only the barbarous and unen-
lightened Mexicans dare venture that sort of
murder. But the political result is the same,
and the removal of an Executive because he
dissents from the opinions of the ruling faction
as distinctly fixes the stage of revolutionary
progress.
Since the initiation Of this step what have
we seen? There have been a great hubbub,
great excitement and noise among the radi-
cal leaders. Every day gives us the picture of
turmoil at the national capital, and the only
sounds that come thence are those of infamma-
tory harangues and threats Strangely enough,
these radical leaders have the monopoly of all
this Never did the people over the country
seem calmer than now in the face Of this event.
Only the other day New Hampshire went for
the radicals We should not be surprised to
see Connecticut go the same way. II is as if
the people did not hear the news. What does
this mean? For the explanation of a fact that
seems SO strange we must consider the pecu-
liarities of the American people. How was it
with the revolution that made the States inde-
while, and the apathy of the people was as if
they had no interest in the quarrel. Politicians
rallied, and the people just ploughed and
sowed and cut wood as If those were
ordinary summers and winters. So ii
kept up for years, and the silent
thought matured the great result At last an
insignificant fact, resulting from the tax on tea,
| fred the mine, and the nation famed out in
| purpose at once enthusiastic and resolute.
IL was the same in the war against the
Southern leaders. Politicians belabored one
another, and the people, to all appearance,
cared not. From one stage to another the
contest went on. Resolutions, denunciations,
threats of ruin-these are but windy words and
never stir the equilibrium Of the great, inert,
patient mass but each party in its bravado
going step further than the other, one finally
committed itself to an act that involved the
very authority, dignity, even the existence Of
the nation. Suddenly, as If moved by one
electric stroke, the whole mass of the people
was up, and the shout of "Sumter !" indicated
that men saw the necessity for movement and
knew how to move. Every great movement Of
the American people has the same history.
There is an unlimited freedom given to resolve,
denounce and threaten. No discussion OF
topics can exhaust the patience of this people.
1t hears and determines, and because il hears
so patiently and calmly it acts with all the
more terrific precision and energy when the
decisive moment comes.
IL will be the same in the case now before
the country. Politicians Of every peculiar
stripe will be permitted to write their own sen.
tences in the course they take in this movemen,
for the abolition of the national Executive.
People will look on patiently to see both
houses neglect their duty; for all feel that the
fewer laws made the better Men can ever