New-York tribune., 1867-08-28
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We have not been of those who see no safety
for the nation except in the impeachment OF
the President. We have held that only the
graycst and most pressing of dangers would
Justify resort TO 50 extraordinary a remedy
as the removal of a Chief Magistrate from oilce
We believe that we have had the sentiment of
n large majority of the people with us in this
matter; but it is useless 10 deny that Mr.. John
son is doing his best 10 change that sentiment
and that many prominent men are now earnestly
In favor of his removal who were a month ago
az strcnuously opposed to IT, suppose the inn
peaclmcnt party prevails; let us see what course
will be pursued.
The oftcnses for which nm officer may be i'm
pclchcd are treason, bribery, and other high
Grimes and misdcmcanor5.' High crimes and
misacmeanOrs are not defined by the Consti-
tuition, and in determining what they are re-
course must be had to Parliamentary practice
and the common law. OF course, the range Of
olicnses embraced under them ia pretty com
prchcnsiye; and il may be said in brief that
many crimes not easily delinablc by law, and
many of n purely political character, are held
to be included and that in none of the cases
of impeachment which have thus far been
tried in the United States, except that OF Judge
Humphreys of Tennessee, who was convicted
of treason in 1862, have any OF the charges
rested upon statutable offense5
The charges must be presented by the House
of Representatives and tried 10y the Senate
Any member Uf the House may initiate pro-
ceedings, either by Offering a resolution Of ac-
cusatiOn or moving the appointment of a Com
mittee of Inquiry. If the House adopt the
resolution, Committee is appointed to pro.
coed to tho bar of the Senate and demand
that that body shall take order for the appear
ance Of the accused to answer 10 the articles
of impeachment which the House will present
in proper time The House then, having
agreed upon the articles, forwards them to the
Senate by the hands of Committee; tho
Senate appoints n day for the trial, and pro-
cess is served by the Scrgeant-at- Arms. When
the President is tried, the Constitution pro-
vides that the Chief-Justice shall preside. On
the day assigned the Senate resolves itself
into Court of impeachment; the Senators
are solemnly sworn 10 do impartial justice ac-
cording to the Constitution and laws of the
United States; the panagers appointed by
the House to conduct the prosecution in
its behalf attend, and the accused is sum
MOned to appear and plead. If he does not
answer either in person or by attorney, the
case proceeds &c pdrte. Both sides may be
heard by counsel The accused is entitled TO
copy of the charges, and must be allowed
time to prepare an answer The House of
Representatives may then file a replication to
the answer and after that day is assigned
for the trial. The subsequent proceedings
are conducted substantially as in Ordi-
nary courts. The managers open the case,
the witnesses are then examined, under the
usual rules of evidence, and both sides are
fully heard in argument. When Associate JUS
tice Chase of the United States Supreme Court
was impeached for official misconduct in
1905, the Senate Chamber was elabo-
rately fitted up for the accommodation of
spectators. The trial lasted nearly four
weeks, the last seven days being occupied in
arguments At the close, the Senate votes
upon each of the charges separately two-thrds
being required to convict. If the accused is
found guilty, the Senate fixes tho punishment,
which cannot extend further than removal
from Office, and disqualification 10 hold any