Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-07-20
The Debate in tn. House, Yesterday.

The Debate in the House, Yesterday.
Alter The reading in the House Of Represent
ahves yesterday of the message of the Presi-
dent, yetoing the supplementary Recons.ruc-
tion bill
Mr.. Stevens pa rose and said ne was dis
posed 20 have the vote aiken on the gu sstion
at once. He was Iot aware tn at there was any
disposition 10 discuss IL, and presumed that
the Honse was prepared to vote on the argu-
ments of the President II there was any such
ments might be very well spent in that way
IA general desire was here manifested on the
Republican side for the vote TO be taken At
once He himself preferred that the previous
question should be called, Voices, Take the
vote, and that the bill he sent to the Sanat
and assed, SO that members could 60 home
and leave the Judiciary Committee behind to
perform its duty diligently for the irnpeach-
ment OF the President This last remark was
uttered ironically, and caused some laughter
Mr. Boutwell, asked Mr.. Stevens to yield the
floor TO him.
Mr.. Stevens complied and
Mr.. Boutwell, address the House. He said ::
This message is so extraordinary in some OF
its declarations that IL ought not TO 20 to the
country and the world with ont some declara-
tion Of the effect " Aich it has on at least one
mind here. 1t convinces me, indeed, of that
OF which i had bat little doubt before tina,
there is no relief for this country from the op-
presslon which. through the instrumentaiity
OF that man, has rested Oh twelve millions OF
people, and which has been only temporarily
removed by the measures against which he,
in his document, vainly protests, except in the
assertion OF that great power which resides in
neglect to exercise which the people OF this
country will hold us to account-and poster.
ity, which will not be intimidated by the fears
that seem to control us-if we hesitate to ar.
raign this man for the crimes OF which he is
before the country and in my judgment, guilty,
and TO ascertain whether that provision Of the
Constitution which gives the power OF i'm
peachment to this House is now and forever 10
be dead provision.
Mr.. Boutwell, proceeded to notice that clause
OF the message " hich says :-.While l hold the
Executive authority OF the United States, while
the obligation rests on me to see that all the
laws are faithfully executed, can never will
lingly surrender that trust or the powers
gwen for its execution" and said, in speaking
OF this encouragement Of the President. He
has taken an oath to support the Constitution
of the United States the leading provision of
which is, that the President ebail see that the
laws are faithfully executed. IL there be any
meaning in the document Just read, IL 10 that
he will not execute this law, although we pass
it by that constitutional two. thirds majority
which is the substitute for the Executive sig
nature, and with which 1t 10 as much law As
though he had willingly and freely gwen it his
ascent. Now, then, say. once for all, that
man who, by the exercise OF unconstitutional
authority, for twelve months inaugurated war
and rapIne and bloodshed throughou ten or
eleven States OF the Con federacy-a man who
set at naught your law which declares that
no man shall be- appointed to office until
be takes the oath prescribed by the statute
OF 1862, and who has deliberately, on afore-
thought. intentionally, eet aside that law and
appointed men to office, and given them COM
pensation for their services who did not take
that oath, but who. az ne we'll knew when he
appointed them, could not take that oath with.
out perjury 10 the crimes that then rested on
their souls, cannot be safely entrusted with
power. Herald the duty Of Congress was to
investigate fairly, fully, faithfully, and with
out delay, the charges that are made against
the Executive OF the country. and If they be, IN
the judgment of the House, well founded
to arragn him deliberately but promptly,
prosecute the trial according 10 the forms Of
proceeding, and il but by one day his constitu-
tional term be shortened by the judgement OF
the Senate liberty Will be preserved, and the
country through coming ages, and mankind
through centuries will bless that people and
the representative Of that people who mad the
courage, as they merged from great war, TO
demand Justice, to preserve The Constitution.
TO protect liberty, and TO transmit popular
riEbts TO other nations
Mr.. Randall said he would like the chance
to meet the lmpeach ers before the people. He
should like to meet them face 10 face rig ht in
the enemys camps. He asserted that they did
not mean to impeach the President. They did
not dare TO do IL. What had the President
done that he should be impeached Had he
not been honest, faithful diiigent. and correct
in every particular Let them, if they dared,
attempt TO imppach the President.
Mr.. Butier.-I would not ask he House to
pause in what we all understand 70 be our
primary duty, II The message we have jusl
marx or two-hrst upon its rome, and second
rs 10 some assertions OF fact. / do not propose
10 deal with the arguments i'll the message but
DO protest, in the name OF he people, and in
the name OF this House of Representative
against the executive slandering the Congress
OF The United States by declaring 10 us in an
official paper that we have pur upon Twelve
millions OF the people OF the country despot-
ism more intolerable than ever was borne by
any other people. l give The exact meaning.
IL not The exact words, OF The message. Ether
thar is true or il is false. 1t rue, we are un-
worthy OF our places here; If false. the man
who makes he charge ought NOT hold his
place single hour longer than is necessary IN
order to take he proper steps to remove him.
l admit that the gentleman from Pennsy wanna
(Mr. RandalD uttered one truth in lis re.
marks, and that was that we dare not do our
duty here in that respect. With shame and
confusion Of face. l for one, bow 10 The truth
OF hat remarks. And the question is, how
soon we will be ready 10 do our dutyl How
coon shall we meet this man! When Shall we
cay OF him in be language Of the orator OF
Rome, "QnonsqHe tandem dbuters most ra patiea.
ft0, Fotaltnd.' How long shall we remain
here 10 be charged with enacting laws which
work desporism on the country!
The matter was further debated by Messrs.
Boyer, Schenck. Stevens, Puryn, and Wilson
OF Iowa, before he vote was taken, with the
result announced ia our paper yesterday.