The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-04-03
THE CHANGES OF POLITICS.

extract from the speech of Senator John
A. Logan, of Illinois, in the Senate in
1868 during the impeachment trial of
President Johnson, which was the out
growth of political difference between
the President and Congress. Mr.. Logan
then said "that if a President should veto
appropriation bills-and there were not
two-thirds vote in Congress against his
veto-and thereby defeat the appropria-
tions so as to block the wheels of govern
ment, he could be impeached for an i'm
proper use of power, although he is au-
thorized by the Constitution to Use such
power. Here would be case wherein
the exercise of lawful power was done in
such way as to become so oppressive
and obviously wrong that there must be
a remedy, and impeachment would be
the only one." The old adage that
"times change and men change with
them" is very clearly vindicated in this
instance, as Mr.. Logan to-day is one of
the obstructionists in the Senate. In
1868 it was fight between Republi-
can Congress and halfway Democratic
President, now it is struggle between
Democratic Congress and a Republican
President. Then the President, accord
ing to the Illinois Senator, ought to be
impeachcd if he chose to veto an appro-
priation bill; now, according to the idea
of the same politician, the President
ought to veto the appropriation bill, if
his party does not like its provisions.
This is too apparent for Mr.. Logan to be
able to make much headway in the pres
ent contest, which, by the way, may be
compared with the situation in 1868 in
other ways also. In that struggle Presi-
dent johnson was completely circum-
vented by tie unity and determination
of the Republican party which controlled
Congress and had its own way. To-day
the Democrats who control Congress can
circumvent Mr.. Hayes and carry out
their views, if they but have the inde-
pendence to assert their convictions and
act up to them. The Republicans have
bluffed the Democracy long enough. 1t
is time to put an end to their boasts, and
the Democrats will never have q more
favorable opportunity to display pru-
dence, ability and nerve combined than
at this time. The Republicans offer
battle over ground which is contrary TO
the genius of American institutions,
and subversive of American liberty.
There should be no halting on the part
of the Democrats in Congress. The
country expects them to restore it to
constitutional government, and a pure
administration of its affairs. To do so,
they must plant themselves upon princi-
pie, not policy, and stand firmly forth
before the country in defence of their
position without being aArighted by Re-
publican clamor. Not one particle of
principle should be yielded, for by do
ing so the contest will lose its dignity
and become mere squabble for political
advantage, for which, in itself, the coun-
try cares nothing. 1t is not the party
name which sensible people support, but
the great principles which actuate the
party. If the Democracy admit the
right of the general government to
overlook elections in the States, the
country will care very little about the
contest now waging, for any changes that
may be made will be but temporary ex-
pedients, and this admission of the prin-
ciple will become an additional prece-
dent to render the expunction of the
objectional principle from our statute
books more difficult in the future. Now
is the golden political opportunity of the
Democratic party. 1t can present to the
country great constitutional issues that
will arouse the old fame of liberty
throughout the land, if it does not cringe
before the bombastic threats Of the OBJ
structionists. II, however, it should not
make the issue upon the principle, but
simply fight over expediency, then the
dignity of the party will be lowered and
the advantage lost. We fear the latter
course will be pursued, but hope for bet
ter things.