Year: 1866




The proceedings in Congress on Wednesday
show that the extreme wing of the republican
party-the wooldyed radicals-are as deter
mined as ever to make war on President John
son. The detection of the conservative men of
that party from their revolutionary platform
does not seem to intimidate them. The recon-
sideration of the Post Office Appropriation bill
on account of that amendment limiting the ap-
pointing power of the President does not check
them. Their fixed programme is to rule or
ruin They still hope by Congressional tactics
and by screwing members of the party up to
the policy laid down at the commencement Of
the session to bring back the doubtful and
wavering and to consolidate their power
against the administration. The adhesion of
Mr.. Stanton and other leading republicans to
the policy Of Mr.. Johnson they pretend not to
believe. or, believing, they are resolved to pur-
sue their course in defiance of that


Mr.. Henderson, of Missouri, introduced
bill in the Senate, which was read twice and
ordered to be printed. in substance the same
as the amendment to the Post Office Appro-
prlahon bill, limiting the power of the
President in removing from and appoint
ing to Office. 1t is, indeed, more radi-
cal than the amendment referred to. It
provides that any person whose appointment
to a civil Office under the government has been
confirmed by the Senate shall not be removed
at the will of the President, but shall hold his
Office ''until his removal be consented to by the
Senate except pembersof the Cabinet, and
"that the President shall not during the recess OF
the Senate, appoint or commission any person
to fiji up a vacancy in a civil Office under The
government unless such vacancy shall have
happened during such recess by death, resigna-
ton, expiration of term or other casualty not
depending on the will or action of the
President" Apart from the details and
law-making phraseology, this is the spirit
and substance of the bill. 1t ought to
be called a bill to transfer the consti-
tutional and time. honored patronage of the
President in the Offices and administration of the
government to the Senate. This is one Of the most
revolutionary measures that has been brought
forward by Congress which is endeavoring to
change the whole framework of the govern
ment It would reduce the President to mere
automaton in the hands of the Senate, and
make that body the real executive power of the
country. Yet, strange to say, this is not pro-
posed upon any broad, statesmanlike views to
remodel our institutions or change the action
of the government, but merely as a party ex-
pedient or from personal feeling. Mr.. Hender-
son and his fellow radicals would upset all the
established principles and action Of the gov
ernment, and launch as into dangerous sea of
untried experiments for the merest party ad-
vantage and without any regard to the future
welfare of the country. 1t is not that the Pres
ident Of the United States has too much power
or that the exercise of it has ever resulted in
harm to the country; but it is because Mr..
johnson, who happens;tophe President, is too
conservative to suit thu radicals that they wish
to limit his power. cTe resolutions Of the
Senator from Missouri wall test the strength Of
the opposition in the Senate to Mr.. Johnson.
Some may have voted for the reconsidera-
ton of the same proposition when ap-
pended to the Post Office Appropriation BILL
understanding the President might veto the
bill on that account, and because the amend
ment was not relevant to the bill, and they
separate measure. We have no doubt, how
ever, the President is gaining strength every
day. and that the radicals will not be able to
whip the conservative republicans in by any
such direct issue.


In connection with this subject Of radical
hostility to the President the debate in the
Senate on the same day "Wednesday on the
Post Office Appropriation bill developed great
deal of bitterness. Mr. Wilson, of Massachu-
sets, who at times, we have thought, showed
indications Of more moderation, came out in
a very decided manner against the President.
Mr.. Wilson is shrewd, time-serving politician,
and it would be interesting to know what has
gree. The whole character of his speech is par
tisan. He could think of the President, the
policy of the government, the legislation of
Congress and all the great vital questions be-
fore the country in no other way than in a
party point of view. The question with him
was not what will benefit the country, but what
would serve the party to which he belongs. The
merits of the bill, or rather Of Mr.. Trumbull's
amendment, which was under debate, were not
touched in any other sense than the subject
bore upon the conflict between the radicals and
Mr.. Johnson. The same may be said of the
speech of Mr.. Nye, Of Nevada. 1t was the old
story that has been often repeated during the
session-Mr. Johnson's conservatism and
patriotic devotion to the constitution and the
welfare of both sections Of the country, which
they call treason to the party. Such men are
only small politicians; they can think Of nothing
else or higher than party politics; they cam
not reach TO or grasp the comprehensive states
manlike policy Of the President There was
not single idea expressed in the debate IN
the radical side but this referring to party; and
more proatless and dreary debate has seldom
been heard. The truth is, the President Is gain
ing strength eyery dav and the radicals are