The honorable Managers say yes, because, as they say, Mr. Johnson is merely serving out the residue of Mr. Lincoln's term. I pray you to allow me to read two clauses which are applicable to this question. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows. So that although the President, like the Vice President, is elected for a term of four years and each is elected for the same term, the President is not to hold his office absolutely during four years. The limit of four years is not an absolute limit.
Death is a limit.
And when, according to this second passage which I have read, the President dies, his term of office of four years for which he was elected, and during which he was to hold, provided he should so long live, terminates, and the office devolves on the Vice President. For the remainder of the term for which the Vice President was elected. And there is no more propriety, under these provisions of the Constitution of the United States, in calling the time during which Mr. Johnson holds the office of President after it was devolved upon him a part of Mr. Lincoln's term than there would be propriety in saying that one sovereign who succeeded to another sovereign by death holds a part of his predecessor's term. The term assigned to Mr. Lincoln by the Constitution was conditionally assigned to him. I submit, then, that upon this language of the act it is apparent that Mr. Stanton's case cannot be considered as within it. . . .