New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-15
CONGRESS AND THE TIMES.

The n. Y. Times gravely mistakes in its as
sertion that THE TRIBUNE objects to its free
criticism" of the policy of Congress. We
expressly approved of free and fearless criti-
cism we specifically objected to its denial or
concealment of the most essential facts. And
foremost among these facts-which The Times
persists in evading-is the early determination
of Andrew Johnson formed and avowed even
before his Inauguration to break with the
great party which elected him Vice-P President
and build up another and hostile party on its
ruin.
If this be fact, is it not clearly essential
The Times says it cannot "truly" be called
an adherent or apologist of the President, and
that
"with the which THE TRIBUNE attempts TO raise
with this head IRE hare nothing whdterer 10 dO'
Yes: The Times HAS to do with that issue.
1t is part of the record. 1t is the key to Mr.
Johnson's policy, and the source of ell our
trouble. Before he had reached Washington,
Mr.. johnson had resolved to head a movement
to overthrow the Republican ascendancy and
restore the Democratic party to power. Before
he had been a month in the White House, he
was in confidential relations with such in
veterate, implacable enemies OF the Republican
party as Thomas B. Florence, Cornelius Wen
DELL Charles Mason, and jeremiah S. Black.
They publicly made him a formal visit, and ex-
changed complimentary speeches. Their organ
publicly hailed him as the new hope of their
sort of Democracy. And The WOrld-which
had personally assailed him, on his nomination
and again on his Inauguration, in terms OF
excessive brutality (even for iO-turned sud
denly short about and began plastering him with
praises and compliments. The Democratic
wire-workers at Washington had doubtless
passed the wink from east to west that Andy
was "all right"
All this occurred months before The last
Congress assembled-befOre there had been any
Chance for collision with it-when even Sena-
tors Wade and Chandler Gas we know were
assuring Republicans that they might trust the
new President implicitly. We charge that,
even in 1865, in obedience to a secret under
standing with the Democratic leaders, Mr..
johnson refused to say word for the Repub-
hcan ticket in this State, though that ticket
had been nominated in his interest by State
Convention whereof the Editor of The Times
was a master-spirit with at. W." as manager
behind the scenes) and though that Editor
personally visited Washington to entreat the
President at least to say that he favored or
wished its success.
All this we cite to prove Mr.. JOhnson's quar-
rel with Congress premeditated and willful on
his part-impeled by his early determination
to break with and war upon the Republican
party. The Times confesses by avoiding. Its
refusal to plead is virtual admission of the
validity of the arraignment. Yet it asks
what $ he Times said however; that 4 should be
assaed the false accuser Of the Republican party
Our structures have related to the action OF Congress-
past or impending and in the interest OF the Repub
above SoV ali others IS that tie course Of Congress Tend;
hsp he country dirided, and The South deSolate and
nant party Of the dangers ncurs by assuming RESPONSE
bty for policy pregnant with injustice and disaster"
We answer The Iimess question by citing
in evidence the charge which we have placed
above in Italics That is false accusation
cruelty, UNANIMOUSLY, false. Congress is doing
its utmost to reorganize and restore the States
disorganized by rebellion, and Mr.. johnson is
exerting all his fertility of resource, all the
vast patronage of his Office, to obstruct and de-
feat such Reconstruction. And The Times and
The Evening Post are powerfully aiding him
in his nefarious undertaking, as they tried to
do in 1865, till general, indignant uprising OF
their readers compelled them to take the back
| track.
The Times says it protests against the reck-
'lessness of the leaders in Congress" The pass
age on Monday of Mr.. Wilson's bill by the vote
of erery Republican Member of the House
present, not to speak of the fact that the first
bill received the vote of the Editor of Ihe
Times, disposes of this insinuation. Messrs
Wilson of Iowa and Bingham of Ohio were
among the most conspicuous, determined OPP.
ponents of the attempt of certain would-bt
''leaders to impeach Mr.. johnson. They can
not be led one inch beyond the line Of duty
traced out by their independent convictions
Never was a Congress less subservient II
leaders than is this one.
The Times further misstates in saying that
Congress virtually cOnfesses that It's policy failure