St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-01-24
Democratic Excitement.

The democratic party seems to be IN
state OF bew.ildering excitement, from the
central figure of Fernando Wood in the
Capitol 10 the smallest organ i'll the back
settlements. Double-leaded editorials
and EXPLANATIONS of .'iniamous.' 1.-THE
crisis of .the government, and ''eve of
revolution come to us by every mail.
The gold spectators have joined in the
hue and cry 10 their own rich advantage,
unless the reaction should come, as it al
ready gives signs of doing, as suddenly
as the excitement. But what is tho
cause of all this commotion? "Only
this, and nothing more" that Congress
has legally restored to his place secre-
tary Of war WHO was good enough to
serve under Mr. Lincoln in effectually
winding up the rebellion, and good
enough TO suit Mr.. johnson for
over two yeaIs; it has shown its purpose
to make six members OF the Supreme
Der to pronounce upon the unconstitu
tionality of any law, and it has begun
the consideration OF the question whether
the obstacles 10 loyal reconstruction will
not be better overcome by entrusting
larger powers to the officer who did more
lion. And yet these simple measures
for the restoration of the union appear to
cause more disturbance to democratic
politicians than the original secession Of
South Carolina. or the banding together
OF the whole ''Southern confederacy."
The reason Is obvious TO every careful
observer of current events 1t was tho't
that Andrew johnson had arranged
scheme bv which he could defeat the re-
turn of Secretary Stanton to the War
Department, and fill the place with some
obedient tool of his own. The conspira-
CIV was tolled neatly and etfectualIv
Again, it was thought TO be all arranged
that the Supreme Court should pro-
neunce the reconstruction acts of Con-
gress unconstitutional. null and void,
thus leveling at one blow all that had
been accomplished toward the reOrgani-
zIlion OF tho South on the basis OF 10y
altv, and reviving the ascendancv there
OF the same class who had heretofore been
good members of the parry, though bad
traitors to the Union. This scheme, al
SO, the President was to aid by putting
in everywhere district commanders OF the
Hancock and ROsseau stamp, who would
keep alive the rebel state governments
and their malignant corps OF officials
So sure We're they of the success OF this
conspiracy that some indiscreet member
of the Supreme Court prematurely let
out the secret, and thus III part provided
ior its sure and summary e1tinguishment
by the measures which we have recorded
above.
I'll" cause. then, of this democratic
commotlon is fully apparent. 1t arises
wholly from the disappointment and de-
feat OF unpatriolic schemes, and its vio-
lence is proportional TO the extent of
their failure. Considerations for the
welfare of the country have nothing TO
do with ii. Not an interest of society
unless we except the vestigeS OF the
Southern rebrilion-has vet been ad-
versey affected 10y the action OF Con-
gre>s.
A. to the future, let us tell these pol
itIcians OF the Johnson school, including
their chief, that there will lie no trouble,
unless they make 1t. The loyal masses.
OF the country and their representatives
in Congress know their rights and their
duties, and they will intexlblv adhere to
tba o,,l
have no idea OF suffering this country.
which has been saved hv its best blood.
10 fall into the control of those who
caused that fearful sacrifice. But the :
will Use only Just and constitutional
measures 10 that end, for there ls no need
OF any other, and they will have ade-
quate resources against all resistance. let
1t come from what quarter ii may.-Bos-
ton J0unH.