New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-07-21

President johnson is evidently desirou
Of signalling the close of his political lif,
by something in the line of craftsmanship
that will live after him. He has permitted
nearly four years to pass without signaliz
ing his administration by an affirmation Of
principle or a proposition of any kind wor.
thy of his great Office. His state papers
full of pugnacity, are either egotistical at
tempts at his own defense or undignifed
attacks upon political opponents. His
constitutional arguments, or at least what
he evidently intended as such, are but re.
statements Of the ideas of statesmen who
have lived before the present generation,
and who were remarkable for being
always in the wrong. He has cited as the
doctrine of the fathers of the republic SEN
timents held by men who never had the
least claim to political paternity, and sue
ceeded in misleading some of the younger
statesmen into supposing that the rebellion
e was expressly ordained and authorized by
the Constitution, and the means taken to
suppress it highly revolutionary and un-
constitutional, and, therefore, wicked.
Men who have not the mind or the taste 10
read for themselves, or to form iudepend-
ent opinions, have accepted Mr.. Johnson's
orscular assertions as orthodox, and been,
in consequence, egregiously deceived.
But his recent proclamation shows a
wonderful seltabnegation in that he is
mentioned only incidentally in connection
with the proposed change in the Constitu-
ton. The greatest marvel is that any
change of that instrument should be sug-
gested by the President. He has so far
carried on his administration to near its
close under the impression that not a word
has been taken from or added to the Con-
stituticn since the outbreak of the rebel
lion; that the statesmen of 1887 had am
pie powers to make laws to,govern them
selves and their pesterity forever, but that
the people Of the present day have no such
right. His admission that any change can
be made, under any circumstances, in the
instrument by which he hes sought to ex-
euse the rebellion and protect its partici-
pators b great progressive stride.
Like everything else that emanates from
Mr., Johnaon's Intellect this proclamation
is obscure in mahy places. Herecommends
some changes which strike us as proper 10
be made. The tenure Of the Presidential
: ONCE has of late been a theme for the con-
sideration Of much greater minds and it is
pretty well settled that change would be
acceptable to the people Of the United
States. A necessity for the one-term prin-
ciple has been commended ior by eminent
Republican Senator's. EXCEEDING the du-
ration Of the term to six years Win partly
correct the evils Of holding frequent cleo
lions, and remove what many people be-
lIeveto be cause Of great danger to the
PUBLIC peace. g.s
The manner Of electing the President
and Vice-Presidsnt as suggested By Ne
johnson does not, as we conceive, present
any advantages over the present Il BRO
poses a more eomplicated plan, and L on
that account Objectionable; and Is besides
in one instance qaits obscure. That. how-
ever, may be the fault Of the tvaascribers
The changes proposed In the tenure Of
once Of the Justices Of the guprene Court
are more in accordance with the prinsipies
Of representative government than the
me tenure system. The law student Of
forty years ago, who has since grown
To Judicial fosall, Is not
heientiy imbued with the spirit and
iasas ofihs present age to interpret laws
made ~ DE people for the people. One
half 81 ne genfenen who nov occupy ne |
SUP bench a ne naslon shouId Be Al |
once heaebly retired Twelve years.
TIE tine proposed b AIr. Johnson--ls
1nlclsnt ioF any man 70 serve 10 he "a. |