Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-03-26
Anarchy In Washington Threatened by tho
81 Radical Organ Of this City. 4.

Their decreased majority in New
Hampshire, and the prospects OF public
sentiment setting in yet stronger against
them, have so alarmed the radicals that
their leaders are endeavoring 10 stem the
torrent Of unpopularity by plunging the
country into another revolution. Divided
and quarreling among themselves and
pressed closely by their political oppo-
nents, these men, afraid OF q forthcoming
overthrow at the ballot-box, would rescue
their cause from irretrievable disaster BY
the exercise Of any means, no matter
how injurious or prejudicial to the best
interests of the republic. For some
time past the news from Washington has
indicated that Mr.. Stanton and bis allies
are Matching a pretended plot against
Congress for the purpose of getting up a
row and forcibly taking possession OF
the government On yesterday the Rad
ical organ Of this city published as its
leading editorial an article evidently in
tended to prepare the public mind for
the receipt Of startling intelligence from
the capital. We quote:
The government is in chaos. There
are two officers claiming to be Secretary
of War, each asserting the right to direct
the operations of one of the most inn
portant Of the executive departments,
The army is probably divided in its
Judgment whom it ought to obey. Now,
Mr.. johnson is trying to secure the pres
ence in Washington Of some prominent
General who will be his partisan in any
ease, and whose reputation may secure
the adhesion of a good portion of the
rank and file. This is situation fraught
with deadly peril. An accident, mere
trihe, an imprudent word may whelm us
| in anarchy" & ,rul p
All of the above means, simply, that
the arrival of General Hancock in
Washington will be used as pretext for
a revolutionary movement on the part of
the junta of which Stanton is the head.
II the Radicals were the purest political
party that ever came into power, and IT
Mr.. johnson was the most corrupt man
that ever lived, there would not be
the slightest occasion either for
the article above quoted or for
the extraordinary precautions which are
being taken by the War Department.
The President has done othing and said
nothing to indicate that he called Gen
eral Hancock to Washington for the pur-
pose of arraying him and other officers
of the army on the side of General
Thomas. Indeed, the object of the visit
has been repeatedly stated, and we can
find nothing in the explanation to war
rant predictions of deadly peril"
But if even any dangers of violence on
the part of Mr.. johnson did exist, they
cannot make matters much worse than
they now are. Is not the Government in
a state Of anarchy at the present time 7
Do not impeachment, negro suffrage, our
| financial blunders and mismanagement,
and the bill passed on Thursday, which
decreases the amount Of taxes to be col
lected, and thereby probably increases
the national debt, bear in themselves the
very elements of anarchy The fact is
that the Radicals are in maelstrom
of difficulties, with ruin and death
facing them at every point. Seeing no
way out of their troubles other than by
unlawful deeds, they will probably en-
deavor to precipitate the anarchy which
their city organ foreshadows Weadvise
all good friends of the republic to keep
aloof from the plans and plots of those
bad men who would invoke revolution
and change our very system OF govern
ment itselffor thepurpose of perpetuating
their power Ifthe radicals can succeed in
their plots and get the better of Mr.. John
son. let him be turned out of the Presi-
Dental chair; but let US have no deeds
performed which must hereafter be de-.
nlored. The despotism of the few over
the many may last for time, and we
may be compelled to submit to grievous
wrongs; but neither the one nor the
other can last forever. The people will
come to the rescue in due time, when the
men who have trihed with the liberties
and prosperity Of the country will be
called to strict account and justly pun
| ished for their wrong doings. York
Herald, 2lst. .aasr a4q