New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-09

and denounced his policy. When they swiftly
changed. and demanded impeachment, we re-
sisted it rs a concession to popular passion.
We held that impeachment was a judicial
task and not political, and that, unless
the nations existence demanded it, there
was TOO much to be lost by entering
upon a harassing and pupOseless investi
CATION. We felt this especially as success
was doubtful, and failure would only restore
the Rebels to power.
By Impeachment now we cannot atone for
our own errors in 1865, nor undo the mischief
the President has done. Impeachment would
not be punishment, for in the tardy process
of law, with Mr.. Carrot Davis-a talking
Judge-and every Democratic Senator priyi-
legged to debate for q month, the trial would
continue to the end of the Presidents term.
Gen. Buffers theory that he might DO super
seeded was too dangerous to be accepted. TO
have made the precedent that majority of the
House could suspend the Executive for an unlim-
tied period would be to place the whole Govern
ment at the mercy of majority, and MAORI
ties have passions and prejudices, and do heed
less things. We do not know what temper the
next House will exhibit 1t is possible the Dem
ocrats may DO in power, and under the law as
Gen. Butler CONSTITUTES it they could speedily
remove President Chase or President Grant
We have taken from the President all power
of harm. We have placed Reconstruction be-
vond his reach. We have given the negro the
ballot, and it will require peace and
careful legislation to confirm him in his
new responsibility. We cannot afford to
waste that time in impeachment cere-
I'LL oh IN
carry in the next campaign. without making
Mr.. johnson martyr and carrying him also.
As it is, the Democratic leaders have formally
warned him that he cannot enter their party.
They accept his aid and his offices to make
war upon us, but they insolently say that when
he has given them this aid they have no further
use for HIM. Impeachment without better
reasons than any we have seen, would only
throw Mr.. johnson into the hands of power
erful party, and compel that party to make
him its leader
We say Impeachment without better rea-
"sons" The President has done much for which
we have severely censurcd him. He has APP
pointed Rebels TO Office lie has sought to usurp
the legislative power by attempting to recon-
struct the South without appealing to Congress.
huencc, at the expense of the gracious mercy
that rests in his Office. He may bc even
charged with attempting to make treaty OF
peace with public enemies without the con-
sent of the Senate, which has n
direct advisory and concurring power in all
treaties of peace. But hc did this two years
ago. and was sustained by Republican Conyen-
tons. against our earnest protest. Since then,
however, he has removed Republicans from
Office and done many rash and painful things.
This only proves that n Republican candidate
became an anti Republican President. That
would be good ground for impeachment before
Republican Convention, but not before q Ma
tional Congress Our business is TO continue
the intrepid legislation of last session-to sup
| port the President when he Is right, and assall
him when wrong-to force upon him clear,
well-defned and resolute policy. We
! have done this in Reconstruction we
| have done it in our vcll-intended but imper-
| fectly digested Tenme-Of Office bill. We must
remember the lessons of our Baltimore Con
,ruti-n earorion,v, and bo hoNC TOT
our next candidates representative men. MI.
johnson was nominated by the hurrah- boy
mclodramatc, blOOd-and thunder feeling OF
noisy loyalty-iust as we are requested now to
nominate negative and uncertain men by the
roll of the drum. We protested against the
"hurrah" business in 1sGl-just as We protest
against the drum-tap business now. We can
best avoid impeachment scandals by elccting
men whose records cannot be impeached.
One point more We trust the country will
not fail to note that Congress has acted in
this matter with paticnce-with wisdOm-wth
serene digity-without passion. few ind-
vidual members may have said incorporate
things but the action of Congress has not
been incorporate. Impeachment has been put
to rest. The National Grand Inquest finds no
bill of indictment against Andrew Johnson.
Now let us proceed to Retrenchment, Financial
Reform, and the final Reconstruction of the