The Placer herald., 1866-12-15
[From the Columbus (Miss.) IndeX.l
Impeachments.

| lative branch of the Federal Government
except so far as it may be used to give a
color OF sanction to Congressional usurpation,
the impeachment of the President threaten
ed with s,upendous oaths, by such pusillani-
nous bodies as John A. Bingham, of the
| House, and Ben. Wade, Of the Senate. who
will set as one of the Judges in the case
can only be etfe,;, ed under the fourth section
of the second article, which simply says
The President, Vice President, and all
civil officers Of the United States; shall be
removed from office on impeachment for,
and conviction of treason, bribery or other
high crimes and misdemeanors.
This is, indeed, as Col James pronounces
it, extremely narrow ground upon which to
proceed to the impeachment of the President
| Of the United States. The Constitution pro
vides, in case of the removal cf the President
by reason of his death or resignation, or in
ability to discharge the duties of the office,
what officer shall succeed him; bu: it makes
no provision as to the Presidency in case of
impeachment and the conviction or acquittal
of the Pre- sident at the bar Of the Senate.
Congress may assume, under the second ar
ticle, the power to designate the person to
fill the place while the real President is in
custody: but it will be an exercise of an ex-
tremey doubtful power. There is in this
Pandora's Box of evils and perils which no
one but the crazest Radical would think of
opening.
No sane man would think Of undertaking
the impeachment of President johnson, un-
der the clause we have quoted. 1t cannot
be credible that any man would accuse Presi-
dent johnson of treason (Which consists
only in evying war against the United
States) bribery, or other high crimes and
specially upon the tlippant,
trivial and partisan specifications presented
by those who threaten impeachment. Obvi.
ously impeachment should not be resorted to
except in the EXTREMIST cases, and upon the
most positive proof of guilt. Who believes
that the Administration Of President john
son affords any such proofs? Yet John A..
Bingham, member Of the present House,
has pledged himself before Almighty God,
aud in the presence OF large meeting, that
he will move articles of impeachment 10 de-.
nose the President at the next session; and
Ben. Wade, Senator from Ohio, whose duty
it will be to act as judge in the case, had
pledged himself in advance to conviction,
thus, contemplating perjury and corruption.
It is trne, Bingham is notorions blowhard.
a worthless, puslanimous and corrupt dem
aoocue, who cares nothing for his oath nor
, his honor; and Wade is fanatic blasphemous
and truculent bully, roaring like an elephant
when there is no danger, chirping as gently
as dove when confronted with the slightest
peril-a zeaIot and humbug, who has mas
oueraded through his Senatorial career in
the oarb of lion, which scarcely served to
conceal his asanine ears-and these declara
tions are therefore worthless, except as sur
face indications Of the deeper, hidden cur.
rant of malignant recklessness which they
have found at tho bottom of the Abolition
party, and are endeavoriug TO direct. An
impeachment cannot be undertaken without
the nearly unanimous consent and approval
ofthe people. An impeachment begun upon
such grounds as Bingham suggests, Wade
relies upon, and the fanatics of the Abolition
pal ty proclaim, would not unite or satisfy the
people. An attempt to depose the President
upon such grounds would divide sections,
States. counties, cities, households IS and fami
lies. 1t would ultimately produce social
war. in comparison to which the carnage and
horrors of the wars OF the roses or our late
geographical war, would be as mere chId's
play. 1t is the policy of reckless Abolition
demagogues and fanatics to encourage their
deluded followers with the idea that in such
contest they would succeed, and effect at
one blow all their most Jealous schemes by
the determination of all opposition. The
wisest cannot foretell where such a contest
will end; the wayfaring man, though fool,
should know that it should never begin.