Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-04-08
That Man Johnson!


We think that Mr.. Andrew Johnson
has stopped. Indeed, he must have done
so, for the Senate adjourned last night,
and, unless he is saving the air alone and
explaining the beauties of "my policy"
to ghostly Senators summoned to hard
seats and trying ordeal by the gallop-
ing fancy of the ex-President, the latter
must realize now that he has nc audit
ors. AS we remarked in the beginning
no viewer, we think he has stopped. And
when we reflect how little we have sut-
fered, comparatively, we certainly ought
to be most truly thankful. He might
have spoken a week, but he only occu
pied ten or twelve hours, and he must
be silent, in effect, for more than SIX
months to come. Now that we have
time to catch our breath, however, and
think fo~ minute or two, What did
Johnson say, and why did he say it?
Let us see. He said that when trouble
was anticipated in the Tennessee Legis-
iature in 1866 he instruCte Gen. Grant
TO telegraph Gen. Thomas that the
facts stated In his telegram do not war
rant the interference of the military"
We suppose from this that had The facts
been little more strongly stated the
interference of the military would
have been authorized. But John
son now gives this as an example Of
what all good Presidents from this time
onward to eternity should do in such
cases; that is, they should never inter
tere unless the facts warrant 1t, of which
they must be the judges. Says Johnson:
Here was precedent. Here was what
the Government did in the case of Ten
nessce, and Grant was familiar with the
position assumed by the President" e.. G.,
A. Johnson), And yet he did not follow
this precedent in the case of Louisiana.
Then MI. Johnson got on to the Sheridan
difficulty of 1867, and,to show just where
the distinguished tailor of Greenville is
sore, we may here resurrect scrap of
history. When johnson concluded TO
sell out the loyal people who elected
him he found it necessary to remove
every hindrance to free sweep of his
policy. He could not remove or transfer
Grant, SO he tried to use him But Sher-
idau was in command of the Texas and
Louisiana district and was making il hot
down there for rebels and assassins, as
he always has made it, SO Johnson deter
mined to send him away. The order was
sent to the War Department and Grant
demonstrated against it, His words are
memorable. He said
urge, earnestly urge, in the name of
patriotic people, who have sacrificed hun
drcds Of thousands Of loyal lives, and
thousands of millions OF treasure, 10 preserve
the integrity and union OF this country that
this order be not insisted on. Gen. sheridan
has performed his civil duties faithfully and
intelltgcutly. His removal will only be re
gardcd as an effort 10 defeat the laws of Con
gresS. This is \ republic where the viii of
the people is the law OF the land. beg that
their voice may be heard.
The order saS insisted on and Sheridan
was displaced, stanton was removed for
similar reasons and against a positive law
OF Congress, which Grant at last aided
in indicating thoreupon bringing upon
his head the awful wrath of His Acct
dency. But the people stood by Gen.
Grant and pretty thoroughly punished
johnson. for all of which the latter is
now taking revenge. But there is another
little scrap that is not embarrassing Just
now.
In 1866 Gen. Candy, in command at
Baltimore, reported that there WAS
danger of riot thers, in case Gov.
Swan should remove the Police Com
miSsioncrs then in office and appoint
their successors. The Governor asked
the aid of the military, and Grant thus
stated the matter TO Mr.. johnson ia Il
communication dated Oct -, 1866:
cannot see the possible necessity for cali
ing n the aid of The military in advgnce
of cCcB ti6 cause (the removal Of said
Commissioners which is 10 induce the
riot 1t is a contingency hope never to
see arise in this country, while | occupy
the position of Generalin-Chief OF the
army 10 have to send troops into u State
IN full rclati6n with the General Govern
ment, on the eve of an election, to pre-
serve the peace
The President seemed determined,