US Presidency
1860

The trial of an impeachment of the President before the Senate on charges preferred and prosecuted against him by the House of Representatives would be an imposing spectacle for the world. In the result not only his removal from the Presidential office would be involved, but, what is of infinitely greater importance to himself, his character, both in the eyes of the present and of future generations, might possibly be tarnished. The disgrace cast upon him would in some degree be reflected upon the character of the American people, who elected him. Hence the precautions adopted by the Constitution to secure a fair trial. On such a trial it declares that the Chief Justice shall preside. This was doubtless because the framers of the Constitution believed it to be possible that the Vice-President might be biased by the fact that in case of the removal of the President from office * * * the same shall devolve on the Vice-President.