The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-10-01
CmANGE THE CONGRESS.


The election Of Congressmen for the next
term is scarcely less important than the cleo
ton of a President of the United States. Du
ring the last two years it has been impressed
wildly upon the minds of all right-th.nking
men, that an immense power for the public
veal or wo has been assumed by Congress.
Since the death of President Lincoln, who
was called the government" Congress has
declared itself the government" Z" and has
treated the executive head of the nation as
a mere supernumerary and an incumbrance.
1t makes all the difference in the world with
these loyal gentlemen whether the Chief Ex-
ecutive is in the interests of Radicalism, or
whether he considers the validity of an oath,
and is only willing to administer the govern
ment according to the terms of the Consti-
tuition 1t was in the latter character that
Andrew johnson chose to act, and for that
reason he has been vilifed denounced and
thwarted at every turn. Congress has AFRO
gated to itself all the powers and preroga-
tives of the government; has been at once
the Legislative, Judicial and the Executive
branches; has made the law, expounded the
law, executed the law has, in word. been
law maker. Judge and sherif-not to say a
rery great criminal besides. a
Their two thirds majority in Congress has
allowed the Radicals to do these things
Andrew johnson, however much he may
have disappointed the real friends Of the
country in many particulars, has shown
himself in his contest with Congress to be
as true man as ever filed the Presidential
chair. But he has been President under
very peculiar circumstances. No other Presi-
dent la bored under the disadvantage of being
confronted by a two>tbirds majority. An
drew Jackson himself could have done
nothing more than Andrew Johnson has
done-he could only have interposed his
vetoes between the mad violence Of Congress
and a suffering people, and his vetces, like
Andrew Johpsen's, would only have been
overridden, and himself put to scorn.
And so it can only be in the future. unless
the complexion of Congress is changed at
the same time that Democratic President
takes hold of the reins of government.
Horatio Seymour is good man-as a stat es-
man immeasurably the superior of General
Graut-but to be President with Congress
as it is now composed can be productive Of
but little good to the country.
1t is cur duty, as American citizens. to
remove this Congress-this clog to the peace,
prosperity and happiness of our country; to
choke off the leeches and vampires that are
exhausting the hfe-blood of the nation; to
not only elect man to the Presidency who
is fit to FILL the chair that has been occupied
by Washington, Madison, Jackson and Bu-
chanan, but at the same time to remove
every obstacle to the clear and full discharge
of the dnties of his Office. We do not ask
for Cromwell TO clear eur halls of Congress
at the point of the sword: to plunge the
country anew into the horrors of a civil war,
"And shut the gates of mercy on mankind"
There is more peaceable way out of the
difficulty. 1t is in the hands of every Amer
lean citizen. 1t is the ballot. Let us vote
in the spirit of intelligence and patriotism,
and the Radicals will be driven from Wash
ington as the thieves and money-changers
spoken of in the good book were driven from
the temple. a.sa zaa5 W . .re
The candidate for Congress presented to
the Democracy of this district. is gentle
man every way worthy of the suffrages of
the people. He is no stranger to them.
Col. LINTON has proved himself a patriot on
the field of battle and in the councils of our
State. His record is open to the inspection
OF all. There is no entry there of treason to
his country, of bargain and sale to corpo-
ration, of private speculation. of oppression
to the down-fallen. 1t is book that NAV
be known and read OF all men, and to its
pages Col. LINTON can point with honest
pride and satisfaction. In public and pri-
yate life his reputation is witht ut blemish.