Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-12-04
Our Washington Correspondence.


regard to the action of Congress, and have
found myself entirely contradicted in the
matter of impeac hmeht Although L still
believe it will hardly rise to the dignity of a
first-class question, it has at least come be-
fore Congress, and will serve to occupy the
attention of that body as we'll as the country,
for little time. On Saturday, there were
rumors that the majority of the COMMITTEES
would report impeachment, but they were con-
sidered rs inore for the purpose cooperating on
the stock market than anything else but on
Monday it became certain that such was the
fact, and when Mr.. Boutwell, presented the
Report the excitement was very great.
presume you have seen the report in full and
know its import. The twenty-five spccifca-
tions in the charge, while they look mostly
at merely political differences between Mr..
johnson and Congress, present some really
powerful and serious charges. The principal,
are his suspendinS the act of July, 1862, and
appointing persons to office who could not
take the oath prescribed thereby; his par
doning some West Virginia deserters to gain
their votes; his seeking to prevent the rati
fcation of the constitutional amendment :;
his restoring the Southern railroads to their
former rebel owners, and postponing their
debts to the United States, in favor of those
to the bondholders of which he was one, and
his corrupt use of the pardoning power and
the veto power.
The evidence in support of these charges,
is contained in book of l 100 pages and is
extremely valuable as showing the position
OF some OF our most prominent men Grant.
here stands out in all the prominence and as
decidedly as could be desired, for he has
shown his belief that Congress alone has the
power to reconstruct, and thus places him
self a once on the Republican basis On other
points, on the great questions of right, the
suffrage, etc, no opinion was expressed, but
IT he stands with Congress that is all that is
necessary. Perhaps Gen. Grant, above all
men whose names are mentioned for the
Presidency would uphold the right, as he saw
it, most strongly, though he would hardly
occupy as advanced position Mr.. Chase
At any rate it would be very safe to try him
and undoubtedly the country would be better
for a short rule of one who acted from con-
viction, and not through policy. If this re
port, therefore, serves no other purpose than
to reveal the true position of Gen. Grant
even that will be of great value to the people,
and it would be we'll if every man in the
country could read his testimony and decide
for himself as TO his merits for the presi
dency.
OF course the action Of the House on the
matter. is entirely uncertain. Mr.. Ashley.
the great prime mover in the impeachment
business, seems sanguine Of the passage of
the resolution presented by the majority Of
the committee; but that is vert doubtful, and
as yet the melnbefs are not prepared to vote
on the question. | certainly believe that the
resolution Will be defeated, for many have
expressed themselves Of the opinion that
it was too late for any good result. and would
only cause confusion, take up good deal of
very valuable time, and perhaps they might
not succeed in ousting him before his time
expired. And then the presidential Ques-
ton, as | said before comes in and the xiv
ing up everything to rofcg.
The minority presented two reports. one
by M Wilson, and the other 10y the Demo
Gratis. Mr.. Wilson took the strange ground
that the President could only be impcached
for indictahle offences, and closed by recon-
mcnding the censuring Of Mr. johnson, in
which there will be hearty concurrence
by all Republicans, for thus they can escape
bo 4
sciences
Gen Butler, on Tuesday and Wednesday
preached his favorite financial views. and
answered by Mr. Blaine Mr. Butler
desires LIST, no further contraction Of the
currency, %, sale Of surplus gold at auction,
3D., withdrawing Discretionary powers from
the Secretary Of the Treasury, and ith. fund
ing debt in long bonds at law interest bv
this means, he would indefinitely postpone
specie payments, and flood the country with
grcenbacks. This programme, together with
the proposed substitution Of grccnbaclls for
national currency. will cause a great reyul-
sion in the financial affairs of the country
The great force brought to bear to eff ct this
object, is the prejudice, always ignorant,
against those who hold the bonds and receive
benefit from national banks
There will undoubtedly be a repeal Of the
tax on cotton and a great effort made to re-
duce the internal tax on all manufactures.
that the tariff may be more discriminating
and protective without appearing to be SO.
By the way, if any one is an advocate of
protective tariff otherwise than from prnci-
pie, he would be strongly tempted to change
his opinions on the subject, if he should
only visit Canada and return by way of St.
Adams. | had that pleasure in the summer,
and the impudence and meanncss of the
revenue sub-oficials was almost unsurpas-
sable.
The Presidents message will probably be
presented on Monday, and is-awaited with
much interest, as the stand he Will take in
view of the recent developments is unknown
The late election news from the South is
very encouraging and looks to an early re-
construction. Especially happy was the
result in North Carolina, where the aioritv
Of the voters are white and the most decided
fight was made. We can soon expect to see
all these states with acceptable constitutions,
and represented in Congress by strictly loyal
men. And that will be the great end gained
in the South, that men will be elected who
are known from their devotion to principle
and not policy.
Washington itself has undergone a Won
derful change during the past year. Not,
to be sure, in the character of its inhabi- I
tants as much as in their nnnl her md tLoi,r