Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1868-02-13
Sc The order of the Pres dent direct.

--'iO''AASA 'aN fH'ShthSo la
press that THE majority Of the committee
is undoubtedly in favor of Impeachment,
and there is reason to believe that a reso-
luton to this effect will shortly be reported
to the House"
The crisis in the contest between the
President, who represents the Executive
department, and Congress, which seeks not
only to abridge but to suspend entirely his
constitutional functions, is near at hand.
The President will not, and indeed cannot
acknowledge Mr. Stanton as Secretary of
War, without degrading himself in the
eyes Of all honorable men.
Gen. Grant, on the other hand. has de-
clarcd his purpose to disregard the Prcsi-
dents order, and to acknowledge Mir. STAN
ton as his superior.
Mr.. Stanton, his friends say, has an
nounced his determination to hold on to
the War Office
The controlling party in Congress, hav-
ing restored Mr. Stanton to the position
from which he had been elected by the
President, has declared its purpose to sus
tain the former, regardless of consequent
ces.
And, to complete the list of concurring
&c hat ,o,cttt,tn ~ So
Washington. Mr.. Stanton is too patriotic
to resign! He cannot consent to see his
party sacrificed upon the altar of his blee-
ding COUNTRY
The eyes of all patriotic men are turned
toward the President, and the question is
in every mouth, what will he do? Will
he submit to these usurpations of Congress?
viii he not resist? Is he not sworn to
see the provisions of the Constitution exc
cuted?
Let us see. What remedy has the Ex-
ecutlve against the unconstitutional acts of
the Legislative branch ofthe Government :?
In The first place. he may arrest such le-
g!slation by the interposition Of his veto :;
but Congress. two-thirds concurrng, may,
as it has done, pass its acts cover the Pre-
sidcnts head" In the second place, the
President may appeal to the Judiciary
No sooner. however, does case arise be-
fore the Judges Of the Supreme Court, in
voIving the eonstitutionai'y of any of its
acts. than Congress tlIreathens to pass an
act requiring twn-thirds, instead Of ma
.jority 6 the Judges. TO concur in such
decision
It would thus appear that the President
has no constitutional remedy against the
usurpations Of Congress. His arm is par
alyzed He canno. WELD the powers with
which lie is invested by the Constitution
even for its protection.
=. Under these trying circumstances, we
would ask. what con the President do?
" hdt orE1t he 10 90!
Surprising it were possible for the Pre-,
silent to call to his support the military
and naval forces Of the country. of which
he is commander chief, would he he
ju&tifaLle in doing so? In other words,
is it either expected or desirable that the
President should plunge the country into
war. in order to restore to the Executive
department its Legitimate functions
Again: in the mean time, Congress
in'peachcs the President and elects him
from ofhce-what then? He must resist,
say an indignant people How?
The Presidents only remedy, if it be
adjudged that he ought not to resort 70
physical force, is in an appeal to the PEG.
pie through the ballot-b box It'll; matter
which directly concerns the people. If
they do not rise up in their majesty and
hurl the wickel and unscru pulous men,
who are tramplipg the Constitution under
their feet, from power, there is no hope
for the country. ss
We cannot see anything cheering in the
future, The people seem to be uncon-
sciods of the mon,entous issues presented,
nor do they seem to consider that a heavy
responsibility rests upon the shoulders of
every man who casts a ballot A deadly
nightmare seems to rest upon the people.
, Until some great leader shall come forth
and deal boldly and fearlessly with the
tyrants at Washington, and rouse the peo-
pie to a full realization of the dangers that
threaten our system Of government, we
have no power to resist the edicts of Con-
gress. enforced, as they are, at the point
of the bayonet. and must therefore submit
with the best grace we can.
If the measures now pending before
Congress shall pass and be carried out,
radical change will have been wrought in
u