The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-13
WASHINGTON. July IL. 1913.

The Assault Of The Wigs upon the AdminiStla-
tion-Inpeachment an Embryo-Poiiticat Cap,-
tai Uswpation, &c
When the President, last week, sent into the
House message enclosing a copy of the treaty,
congratulating Congress upon the return of peace,
and suggesting measures for their adoption, Mr.
Vinton, the Chairman of the Committee of WAYS
and Means-who knows all about the monetary
affairs, and whose word is poential-expressed his
great anxiety TO know "what it is that constitutes
the territory acquired ''The President before
the war, claimed that our boundary extended to
the Rio Grande; if so, by what authority did he
establish government in Santa Fe! BY what
authority did he set up government within the
territory, or a State, of this Union I" "If the
President has done this" said Mr.. Vinton, she Is
guilty of heh-handed usurpation of power.
which the House. as the Impeaching power, shou d
pass upon without further notice." This took
place on Thursday. The calm of the Sabbath hi d
no sooner passed away, than Mr.. Stephens, Ct
Georgia, among the first things on Monday morn
ing introduced series OF resolutions calling
upon the President to furnish the boundaries of
our recent acquisitions, from The best and most
authentic sources TO answer whether the civil 60
yemments established In New Mexico and Calitor-
MIA now IN existence; TO say whether any trials
and convictions have there taken place if So under
and by what authority, etc. He then laid broad
I0unCallOn lot SpetcI--d text WHICH admitted OF
comments touching every part and portion OF the
war. and the conduct OF the constitutional COM
mander-ln-chef of the army and navy. Mr.. Ste
phens is sharp, imprisoned, eloquent speaker.
He has the appearance OF man in bad health and
this, in him, adds to the interest which his re-
marks occasion. If he could fight in the battle
field az well as he can WELD his tongue in con-
demnation of Mr.. Folks administration, few
heroes would wear around their brow bigger
wreath Of laurel. This gentleman charged down
right fasehood upon his Excellency, reiterated
that he commenced the unconstitutional and I'M
necessary war, spoke OF the usurpaton OF author
lty. and OF every thing consequent upon a reckless
course of conduct. ''The hour of retnbution" he
said, 60 had now come" Mr.. McClernand having
replied, Mr.. Schenck, with documents before him,
commenced where MIR. Stephens left off, and such
adlscharge OF missiles against Mr. Polk we never
before heard. He had exercised imperial author
Ity-the constitution bad been trampled under foot
and with utter contempt, turning up his nose
though he were IN proximity 10 caTion, he H.
weighed against "the purltanlsm OF the precious
President in the White House!' CA little row oc-
cured between Mr.. Schenck and Mr.. McLane, in
consequence of the "dnothenia niaranathd.') The
Rev Mr.. Hudson, whig, in the office of peace
maker, kindly interposed, and after saying that
nothing could be done until the President should
respond, put end TO the 'crmnatlon" and the
days proceedings, by moving the previous ques-
ton, under the operation oil which the resolutions
were passed.
The remarks of Mr. Stephens were no doubt,
carefully prepared for he had all the necessary do
cuments before INN TO make good his assertions.
And we think that we may say the same of Mr..
Schenck, for his desk was covered with the Soon
gTessionoi Globe" and other documents from
which he read. How many other phippics would
have entered into the history of the country but for
Mr. HuGson, know not; but certain it is that Mr..
Vinton gave the cue. If there was no pre- arrange
ment among the wings, that Mr.. Stephens should
form the advance guard, and that Mr.. Schenck
should bring up the rear, the large supply of do
cumenary ammunition in their magazines, and the
two most effective riflemen having been prominent
on the field, strengthen the supposition that the
plan of the action was well maured.
The House has heretofore voted that the President
has been guilty of commencing an unconstitu-
tonal and unjust Yesterday, and hundred
times previously 1t was declared that he has exer-
clsed imperial powers, that he has set up govern
ments without authority; in other words that he is
81 prince whose character, is marked by every
act which mayI define tyrant." How, under the
circumstances, can II for moment be supposed
that the House will fail TO follow the advice of Mr.
Vinton, and bring forward articles of impeach-
mentl They must do II; they have committed
themselves by their charges of usurpaton of
powers. Whether they Wi stand square u, and
g face the music, will the better be determined
when the President shall respond to the resolutions
which, at the instance OF Mr.. Stephens were
adopted yesterday. FEL.Ix.