The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-05


of President johnson.
IF President johnson viii dispassionately
review the events Of the last two years OF his
administration we believe he viii be prepared
to admit that he has made many grave blupders
Of policy, however honest he may claim TO
have been in his intentions D.nny the whole
of that period he has been - ---' = !. souo..
| contest with Congress over the question Of
Southern reconstruction. In the commence
ment of the fight many of the more conserva-
tive members on the republican side, deploring
the violence Of the extreme radicals, mani
tested disposition to meet the President half
way in any compromise that could harmonize
his policy towards the Southern States with
the views of Congress. The stubbornness OF
Andrew johnson at that time prevented an un-
derstanding that might have terminated those
disgraceful wrangles between the executive
and legislative branches of the government
which have lowered our national self respect,
and seriously affected our commercial,
financial and social interests. The radi-
calls shrewdly awaited themselves Of the
Presidents obstinate adherence to his own
plans to intensity the quarrel between him and
his party, and strove to excite the prejudices
of the loyal States against him by exaggerated
stories Of his rebel proclivities. Nevertheless,
the conservative element long continued to
oppose extreme measures. whether directed
against Andrew johnson personally or against
the white citizens of the South. ConHscation
failed to make Roadway. Impeachment was
frowned down. Bills imposing pains and PEN
alties on the ex-rebels were rejected. Finally,
the fourteenth amendment Of the constitution
was adopted by Congress in the teeth of radi-
cal and copperhead opposition as q final settle
ment of the question of reconstruction, and met
the endorsement of large majority of the
voters in every loyal State in the election Of
1866. If Andrew johnson had then accepted
this popular verdict and called upon the South
ern people to ratify the amendment promptly
and cheerfully he might even at that late
day have baf1ed his radical enemies and
saved the country much expense, humili-
alton and suffering. But he continued
to pursue his headstrong course, and his COM
bativeness at last enabled the radicals to make
the republican majority Of Congress unit
against him and to seize supreme control of
its legislation. The consequences were dis
astrous to the South. The comparatively libe-
raj provisions Of the constitutional amendment
were set aside, and in their stead military rule,
the Acknowledgement of white citizens and the
political domination Of the negro race were
forced upon the ex-rebel States.
The President has not himself escaped the
evil effects of his own incorporating spirit.
The General of the Army, his inferior in rank,
has been made independent Of his authority,
to the subversion Of all military discipline as
well as Of the letter and spirit of the federal
constitution. The Tenure Of Office law, passed
over his veto, has stripped him Of the power
of appointment or removal and rendered him
mere nominal Chief Executive. He has
ing to the Supreme Court of the United States
for protection in his rights. AS an ambitious
politician be finds himself discarded by both
the great political parties of the country and
left to retire at the close Of his term Of
Office with nothing but his own conscious recti-
tude to console him for the loss of power, and
without much hope Of political preferment in
the future. These, however are by no means
the most Notifying results of his blunders of
policy. Andrew Johnson, with all his failings,
is a man of the strictest integrity in his pc
cuniary dealings. His sterling honesty has
been the brightest jewel Of his life. Had his
administration been free from the inauspicious
circumstances that have surrounded 1t 1t would
probably have been remarkable for its sim
plicity and economy. But as it is he finds
without parallel in the history of the world.
Every department of the government is lazar
house of pestilent corruption. Robbery and
debauchery are the rule in all the public
Offices. The radicals who have been retained
in position through the operation of the
Tenure Of Office law, and the democrats and
conservatives who have foisted themselves
upon the President in his troubles, are banded
together in common brotherhood of fraud.
Millions of dollars are stolen from the Trea-
sury by organized rings of outside and inside
plunderers of both parties, and with de-
creasing revenue the burden Of debt and taxa
ton is growing heavier and more oppressive
year after year.
All these evils stare Andrew Johnson In the
face as the results Of his past stubbornness,
and for some Of them at least the people hold
him responsible. They fail to understand how
any law can so cripple his hands as to prevent
him from sweeping away the whole brood Of
robbers, defauters and conspirators now crowd
ing the government departments. The inves-
tigation recently instituted by Solicitor Binck-
ley, with the appreciation Of the President,
NAV have melted the hone that aoma affactual