Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-05-15

The life OF no man who has ever figured
conspicuously in our politics presents
more strange contradictions than that Of
Andrew johnson. In 1860 a supporter
Of Blackenridge for the Presidency. as
against Douglass, when he could but know
il would disrupt the Democratic party and
INSURE the election Of Lincoln, in which
even IL was the declared purpose of the
South TO secede from the Union; yet,
when the election of Lincoln was secured
and Southern Senators and Representiyes
left their places in Congress aud followed
their States out Of the Union, he remained
at his post. lie was the only man IN all
the Southern delegation who recognized
the claims of the Government Ms being
above those Of State.-Standing thus
alone, deserted by his old associates In
Congress, prosecuted by his old political
friends aud his family driven from their
State because he did his duty, he had the
sympathy and the blessing OF every true
friend of the Government every Where.
His conduct exhibited moral heroism
seldom seen in political life.
Whether as a Senator in Congress, or
Military Governor OF Tennessee, he main
tained his fidelity and gave an unequivocal
support 10 the Government during the war.
And when il became evident that the de
struction OF slavery was necessary to the
successful prosecution Of the war, he earn
estly advocated its extinSion. liz is not
strange therefore that when the Republi-
can party came together at Baltimore in
1864, they should select him as the candi-
date OF the party for the Vice Presidency
There was natural desire TO recognize
the services of one who had sacrificed so
much for the country. Hamlin had per-
formed his duties in an unexceptional
manner, aud by party usage was entitled
60 the nomination.; but he was merciless-
ly shelved TO make place for johnson.
In six weeks after his inauguration as
Vice President, he became President by
the assassination Of Mr. Lincoln. Here
was his great opportunity for useful ness
and distinction. The rebellion was com
pletely crushed; aud the South was in
condition to accept any terms we should
offer. The rebelIious States whether
technically in the Union or out at the
close of the war. .had, Gas Mr.. Lincoln
expressed i) severed their practical con
nection with the Government" aud had TO
be reorganlzed. To reorgapize these State
governments, and to re establish proper
practical relations between the States and
the Government, is work surrounded
with difficulties Mr.. johnson took the
work into bis own hands, instead of call
ing Congress together, to which depart
ment the subject Of reconstruction proper.
ly belongs. lie assured the country he
would carry out the policy Of his prede
cessor. However honest or patriotic his
purposes may have been, experience de.
monstrated the failure Of his policy.
Congress suggested another policy, (the
l4th articlc) he stubbornly clupg to his,
even after the people had pronounced
against it. He turned squarely upon the
party that placed him in power, made open
war against the Congressional policy aud
advised the South to hold out against it.
Under this encouragement they did so,
and the Reconstruction has been delayed
until its embarrassnents have been in
creased hundred fold. This, though
political in its nature, is the most serious
offence he has committed, and the most
injurious aud damaging to the country.
We can not enumerate his minor offenses
here il is loog course Of misconduct.
Finally his premediated aud open vi
olation of the Tenure-of Office Act de-
termined the long talked Of impeachment
proceeding. He is now upon trial. charg-
ed with the commission of "high crimes
and misdemesnors." That he will be
convicted and ousted from his office; and
that the people whom he has SO remorse-
lessly betrayed will sanction the verdict
we have not a doubt. 1: is a great fall.
and will furnish the first instance in our
history Of Presidents going out Of Office
by Impeachment, aud, without party.
His position has afforded him the great
est opportunities for usefulness. IL he
had employed them for good, he would
have done the country inestimable service
at a critical period. But he has chosen
to betrsy the people, and to employ him
self in reviving the hope Of lost cause
aud must take the consequences.