The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-03-22
Drunkenness in High Places.

We have forbOrne making any illusions u
the alledged drunkenness OF the wee Fles'-
dent on the day Of his Inauguration Dec-'use
newspaDers are in the habit Of lying anu
exa0oerating so outrageously that we are
slow n believe first reports. But the iacts
in this case are not only asserted ID Inc
Democratic papers, but now seem to be ad-
mitted bv the leading Republican papers
We are glad 10 find that the Republicans
express themselves i'm proper terms OF con
denuation respecting such an insult 10 the
people Of the United States, who have taKeh
Andrew johnson from low condition i'll
life and placed him where he may any day De
called 10 act as chief Of one Of the greatest
nations Of the earth. It IS but Just to the
Republican party. 70 say that in this part
Of the country. no charge Of intemperance'
30 far as we know, was made against Nr.
Johnson previous to his election in any
paper, or by any speaker
The Cincinnati Gazetfe says:
Andrew Johnson. the Vice President
elect presented himself drunk at the great
inauonra'iOn ceremony in the presence OF
tha assembled executive and Judicial de-
parfments Of the government the repre-
sentatives Of the people. the senate over
which he is 70 preside. a large eoncOurse Of
citizens from all parts Of the country, ana
Ofthe foreign diplOmatistS and visitors BE
fore that imposing cOucourse ne beloved
for half an hour the idi0tic baDble OF a mlnd
besOtted by a fOrtnights deOaucn- he
boosted himself a. a specimen OF the WORK
inr Of American Institutions. which brought
such a man as he 10 the second place III lne
government He dragged It's prOudest Ger
emOny into the slough Of his degradation
and turned il 10 shame and modification.
This cannot be covered up as private
| iniirmitv. II was exhibited before the world
We have 10 discuss il As a public calamity
and a. a national insult and disgrace whlci
demands relief Mr.. Johnson should a
once resign the place he has 50 dishonOred
and in which he can never have the respec
Of any American citizen, and should relir'
10 private lie. where his wallOwlng VIII he
foul 10 one but himself The nation canno
I suffer the dishOnOr that man VINO was in
augurated drunk who drlvelled over th
Holy Book "a he took the oath OF Office. am
I shamed the nation in the eyes OF The world
should be set to preside over the senate an
represent the second executive office. AM
il cannot afford TO keep open the risk
such an alternative in case VI the death o
disability of the President.
d" Mr. johnson made similar exhibition
OF himself here. and we then RETAINED iron
commenting on il because We thought
might only be a lapse in the interval whel
ne was free from official duties; and that
he were habitually Incorporate he woui
retain decency enough To refrain from dis
Aiding himself for public occasions"
The y. Y. Tribune says:
"Mr. Andrew Johnson, our new Vic
President is said to have been demented b
HauOr when sworn into Office, and 10 hav
made a senseless and discrcditable harangu
i'm consequence. And il is reported tina
be has fallen into habits which dlsqualit
hin. So ,to hish Po1ition - which no ma
been chosen.
I'VE feFvently hope that AT least the lai
ter and worse half OF this scandal will prov
untrue; for If il should not, the country wi
he subjected to the pain and scandal an
Mr. Johnson TO the modification insepara
Die from his expulsion from office. If b
has become a drunkard, and does nc
promptly and thoroughly reform, he eel
tainly cannot remain Wee President OF IN
United States, and if be has any earnes
and intimate friend he will he 80 assure
forthwith. The people may pity as well a
mourn his fall; but they cannot abide
drunkard in his present high position"
The Grand Rapids Eagle says:
The country knows his devotion to Free
dom, his eminent services in the cause
the Union his exalted patriotism, and hi
great talent. But IL unfortunately, h
cannot bear prosperity as nObly as he ha
borne adversely, If he has fallen-whic
We shall be lOath to believe except upon il
dubitable proOf-then he is no longer lit
represent the party which elected him, q
10 I'M the Office Of Vice President. Drunk
enness in high places will not he tolerate
~ rho marty of the Union. The examine
OF sOttishness set by President Pierce an
President Buchanan may have been col
sidered well enough by the corrupt Den
Ocratic party which could wink N treasO
and theft; but no such habit can or wi
be tolerated 10y the party OF Freedom an
of Union"