A DESPERATE MAN
Andrew Johnson is a desperate man. Conscious of the total failure of his
administration and of the universal public censure, he would gladly do something to
revenge himself upon fortune. His only opportunity is to remove the General of the
Military Departments under the Reconstruction bills, and see what would follow the
appointment of persons who would nullify the law. But the President has nothing to gain by
such a course except impeachment and removal with the consent of the whole loyal country.
Should he persist in the course which his suspension of Mr. Stanton implies, every man,
who upon various grounds has opposed impeachment, would accept it as a choice of evils.That the President would try
other and more perilous measures, if he could, we can have no doubt. The story of the
organization in Maryland that asked for batteries which the President wished to send and
which Mr. Stanton refused, points to an armed organization upon which it has been rumored
the President was willing to rely for ulterior purposes. Yet, although the tale as told be
untrue, it will not be rejected because of its supposed inconsistency with the probable
wishes or wisdom of the President. That there is some fire under the smoke every one will
be willing to agree. But there is no great body of persons in the country so interested in
renewing civil war as the vast multitude of the population are in trampling out the least
spark of such an intention. This is not a truth which the President can apprehend, for he
apprehends nothing. But it is the truth, nevertheless.
It is evident that those who distrusted
Mr. Johnson most were the wisest men; and that Congress, having once discovered his
character, should not have separated except to meet again promptly upon the proper
summons. Had this course been adopted he would not have attempted the removal of Mr.
Stanton, or, if he had, Congress would instantly have assembled to know the reason. No man
can be considered harmless who holds even a restricted authority as President, when his
spirit and purpose have been fully revealed. It is the old story. The Parliament that
would check a false king becomes a long Parliament. The Congress that would protect the
popular will from the interference of a hostile President must be always ready to lay its
hand upon him.
The President may now proceed to thrust
out his whole Cabinet and to replace them with whomsoever he will. He may remove the
Generals in the unorganized States, and so delay the due registry and obedience to the
laws of Congress. More he can not well do. He will hardly undertake forcibly to prevent
Congress from assembling; and when it does assemble, if it finds that he has been palpably
nullifying the laws which he is sworn to execute, it will impeach him, and the country,
longing for peach, will cry Amen. It would not be a question of hair-splitting nor of
technicality. The country would ask, through Congress, does he faithfully execute the
laws, or does he try to paralyze and defeat them? The evidence which would be demanded
would be and ought to be the most conclusive. And if such evidence were produced? if his
whole career showed that he intended so far as possible to substitute his own will for the
law of the land? he would be removed, and again the country would cry Amen.
Articles Related to Overt
Obstruction of Congress:
Congress
February 2, 1867, page 67
February 16, 1867, page 99
March 16, 1867, page 163
How Long?
June 29, 1867, page 402
Reconstruction and Obstruction
July 6, 1867, page 418
The Summer Session
July 6, 1867, page 418
The Fortieth Congress
July 17, 1867, page 467
Thanks to the District Commanders
July 27, 1867, page 467
Impeachment Postponed
July 27, 1867, page 467
A Desperate Man
August 13, 1867, page 546
The Secretary of War
August 24, 1867, page 530
Samson Agonistes at Washington (cartoon)
August 24, 1867, page 544
The Stanton Imbroglio (illustrated satire)
August 24, 1867, page 542
Secretary Grant
August 31, 1867, page 546
Southern Reconstruction
August 31, 1867, page 547
The Political Situation
September 7, 1867, page 562
General Thomas
September 7, 1867, page 563
Southern Reconstruction
September 7, 1867, page 563
The General and the President
September 14, 1867, page 578
General Sickles Also
September 14, 1867, page 579
Southern Reconstruction
September 21, 1867, page 595
The Presidents Intentions
September 28, 1867, page 610
Impeachment
October 5, 1867, page 626
The Main Question
October 5, 1867, pages 626-627
Suspension during Impeachment
October 19, 1867, page 658
"Disregarding" The Law
November 2, 1867, page 691
Impeachment
December 14, 1867, page 786
General Grants Testimony
December 14, 1867, page 786
The Presidents Message
December 14, 1867, page 787
General Grants Letter
January 1, 1868, page 2
Secretary Stantons Restoration
January 25, 1868, page 51
Reconstruction Measures
January 25, 1868, page 51
The President, Mr. Stanton and General Grant
February 1, 1868, page 66
Romeo (Seward) to Mercutio (Johnson) (cartoon)
February 1, 1868, page 76
The War Office
February 1, 1868, page 77
Secretarys Room in the War Department (illus)
February 1, 1868, page 77
The New Reconstruction Bill
February 8, 1868, page 83
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