The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1875-08-21

by military iOrce, " II proposition III
such direct conflict with the nature nj
our free system, ti.at trust ~ eNlgen'
ry will ever ugnin arise Ia make u
necessary tO nssert II. Mr.. JOlnsOn'H
| vcneruliun for the Cuust tuition IL well
| known; IL was his own boast, aud the
| ground Of tnunts on the part of his ELI
cmlcs. but the Constitution that he
respected was the Constitution WiH Ms
O,Dn notes did comments. His admin
istrntion was u failure. His gravcst
blunder was his rejection of the terms
of settlement entered into between
Gen. sherman and Gen. Johnston.
That act was the cause of innumerable
troubles to himself, and IL brought dis
iister upon the country. His own pol
ley was alike unsatisfactory to North
and South. He undertook to re-
store the Southern States to the Union
upon u plan utterly inconsistent with
the principles OF the government. The
ordinances of secession adopted by the
several Stotes We're nothing more thhn
so many declarations OF independence
to be maintained, II need he upon the
field of battle. When the conflict took
place between the Government whose
powers were seized and welded by
the States that undertook to maintain
the Union, and the seeding States, 1t
was clear that the latter fought to win
their independence. After protract-
ed struggle resistance with the united
States was not abandoned. The South
ern States had not maintained their
declarations OF independence they
were still within the Union.
Now, while individuals resisting
the authority of the Government
might have forfeited their rights,
it is clear that the States held their re-
lations to the Federal Union un-
changed. 1t was proper to restore Or
der, and the military force of the Gov
ernment might well have been en-
ployed in protecting those who recog-
nized its authority. Mr.. Johnson, with
his boosted veneratiOn for the COnsti-
tuition, treated the States ny conquered
provinces. He appointed for each of
them II Governor, AZ II Roman Empe-
rOr might have sent out pr;etor to
enter IL province. The States were re-
garded as Territories, and they were
permitted to enter the Union and take
part in the Government upon terms
dictated by the President and approved
by Congress-a Congress composed of
representatives from the victorious
commonwealths. Mr.. Johnson's pol
icy did not work well. 1t must be ad-
mitted that he did not display admin
istrative ability. He was not states
man. He did not possess the large,
liberal ideas of u trained statesman.
He shone as member of the House of
Representatives. He was vigorous in
debate stronger in assault than in de-
fense. The error in
Mr.. Johnson's life was his aban-
donment of his people in
the day when they were threatened by
the power of the Federal government.
He Is not to he censured for his ear
nest opposition to secession, nor for
his answering desire to maintain the
Union. He was honest in his cOnvic-
tions and he asserted them with cour-
age. He did more than this. He took
part in the hostile measures adopted
by powerful Government, that the
Constitution is to be supported, and
the flag of the country respected and
upheld. In reviewing the career of
the great man who has just been laid
i'm the grave, while it is impossible to
forget the errors of his political life,
there is universally accorded to him
the tribute due to his thorough hon
esty, his high courage, his true man
illness, his pre-nminent patriotism. and
his extraordinary abilities.
HENRY w. HlLLARD.
Atlanta, Ga, Aug. 8, 1875.