Year: 1866




The Policy Of President J0hnson-A New Proc
Inmation and New Cabinet.
We have, from time to time in the course of
the last twelve months, urged upon President
johnson the necessity, expediency and advan-
tages of comprehensive reconstruction of his
Cabinet. We have pleaded that the Cabinet
which carried the administration of Abraham
Lincoln through the war was not the Cabinet
demanded for the new issues and new ideas
resulting from restoration of peace-that it is
one thing to put down great rebellion by
force Of arms, and another thing to restore the
submitting States to their proper fraternal re-
lations in the general government But there
have been at no time since the dreadful tragedy
which cut off in the height of his fame and
popularity our much lamented President Lin
coin so many facts and considerations COM
bining as may now be advanced in behalf of a
new departure by the administration from the
starting point of a new proclamation and
new Cabinet.


As we understand the situation, the members
of the existing Cabinet, actively or passively,
are committed to President Johnsons policy
of Southern restoration against the policy
of Congress. The active Cabinet members
since the rupture was first officially declared
between the President and Congress, have been
the Secretaries of State, the Treasury and
! Navy; the new Attorney General, Stansbury,
! and the new Postmaster General, Randall; and,
singularly enough, the most remarkably passive
member has been Mr.. Stanton, our late reso-
lutte, energetic, radical and emphatic Secretary
Of War. But, actively or passively, this Cabi-
| net stands committed to the Presidents South
ern policy, which we are satisfied ought now
10 be abandoned in Difference to the mani
testify predominant public sentiment of the
North. The governmental system Of the United
States, national and local, rests upon the will
of majority Of the people. Respect for this
sovereign authority Is essential to law and
order among us, and this respect has been q
prominent characteristic Of Andrew Johnson,
from his first election as alderman Of little
village in Tennessee to his occupation Of the
White House.


Consistency, therefore, as well as sound
policy on his part, demands Of him cordial
adhesion to the restoration plan Of Congress
and new departure in support Of this policy.
| We have all seen enough Of the de-
velopments Of public opinion in the
| North since the adjournment Of Congress
to convince us that the Northern States, from
Maine to California, will sustain the constitu-
tional amendment of Congress, In view Of its
conditions affecting politically the leaders Of
| the rebellion and negro representation, and in
view Of its substantial securities in behalf Of
the national treasury and tho national debt,
and against all rebel debts and claims for
| cmancipated slaves.


| Upon this strong platform Of reconstruction
rallied for the coming elections for the next
| Congress, and Vermont and Maine indicate the
drift Of these elections. Falling in with this
popular current of the North on this platform,
the President cannot only retrieve his late
misfortunes. but he can become at once the
master of the situation with the ratification OF
this new constitutional amendment by the
Southern States, looking to him as their pro-
tector and leader against the Northern radi-
GALS To this end, therefore, the Presidents
most effective starting point will be from a
new proclamation, new Cabinet Of new men,
identified with the war for the Union, and har-
monous in sentiment upon this question
of Southern restoration. Such q man as
Charles Francis Adams, our Minister at London,
for the Stase Department would, for in
stance, be universally accepted and from
the ranks OF the republican party and
war democrats all the other executive





departments might be acceptably filed.
The day has not yet arrived for the promotion
Of converted copperheads or reconstructed
Southern rebels TO these positions. The time
will come for absolution to them when the
government il made secure with the ratification
Of this essential constitutional amendment
General Thomas, oil Virginia, that able, tried
and trusiy Southern Union soldier, for Secretary
OF War, would, on the other hand, be good
practical movement towards the restoration Of
the South to the Cabinet


A prudent and sagacious statesman adapts
himself and his policy to the pressure ofevents
and the cxigences OF the day. He does not
I hesitate to abandon programme when he sees
that II has become doubtful and dangerous, nor
to take new departure when u promises an
J easy and decisive triumph over his adversarics.


Accordingly we urge upon President johnson
) proclamation 70 the Southern States in favor
|, OF the constitutional amendment before the
country, and harmonious reorganization Of
his Cabinct on ths policy, and in view Of .
sound and cohesive financial system and q
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