Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-03-11
THE SUPREME COURT.

The real danger Of the nation lies lock-
ed up in the M'Cardle case A decision
in that case favorable to the reconstruc
ton act makes the future clear, with a
decision adverse to that act, the future
becomes clouded in uncertainty.
We confess that at first we were among
those who were surprised at the evident
reluctance of Mr.. Chase to meet the Sen
ate in the impeachment matter. But on
reflection. we are fearful that Mr.. Chase
may be right and the Senate wrong.
We regard the M'Cardle case far more
important than the case versus Andrew
johnson. If it shall be found that an
adverse decision in the MCardle case is
reached because of the absence Of the
Chief Justice, it will be a sorry day that
took him from the bench Of the Supreme
Court to preside at the impeachment trial.
The capital Of the Democratic Party dur
ing the next campaign will be made out
of decision pronouncing the reconstruc-
ton acts unconstitutional 1t will be
hard work to carry the country against
such decision. 1t is possible that with
the Chief Justice on the bench such an
untoward result might be avoided by his
casting vote. At any rate the force of
an adverse decision in that case would be
greatly broken by dissenting opinion of
the vigor peculiar to Judge Chase.
In that case the opinion might be
made to seem just as it in reality is only
the political opinion of the men pro-
nouncing it, and we could make strong
show in favor Of reversing it as we did in
the bred Scott case But it is better to
have the law on our side, or rather the
decision of the court. Practically we are
aware that little damage can be done by
such decision if Congress shall only be
ton. For with President and Con-
gress adverse to the Court it would be
powerless to execute its decision. But
1t is statesman like to,avoid such antago-
nisms if possible between the various
branches of the government. Discord is
not to be courted.
We feel far more interest in the case
in the Supreme Court than in the i'm
parchment case for this very reason,
because one involves the fate of princi-
Piles. the other only of a man, and that
too of a man Of very little consequence
We want to see Mr.. johnson impeached
and deprived of his Office, because We
think he ought to receive that punish
ment for his crimes. But Mr.. ohnson
is already dead cock in the pit, and
no amount of good fortunes or misfortune
can galvanize him into life. Whether
impeachment fails or is carried Mr.. John
son goes to private life after March 4th,
$50 No matter what is done to him or
hew unjustly he may be treated in the
trial to take place he goes off the board
when his present term expires. He
stands just as good chance of the Re-
publican as the Democratic nomination
for the Presidency. The Democrats have
no objection to using him for their pur
poses, but when they have favors to be-
stow it will be found that they will look
for somebody else than he. "He went
up like a rocket and is coming down like
a stick" The most brilliant past of his
career was when he was playing Moses
for the coored race. For that role Mr..
johnson has never been and never will
be forgiven by the Democracy.
He is a viper, but his fangs are drawn.
But an adverse decision of the supreme
Court on the reconssr uction act would
have an ugly look for us in the coming
campaign From that we pray to be de-
liyered.