The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1867-12-06
Articles of Imncachmcnt.

llnpcacninCnt presented by the majority
of the Judiciary Committee:
"In accordance with the testimony
herewith submitted, and the view of the
law herein presented the committee IRE
of opinion that Andrew johnson. PIIcsi-
dent of the United States, is guilty of
high crimes and misdemeanors rcquir-
ING the interposition of the constitu-
tional powers of this House: -
"In that upon the final surrender of
the rebel armies, and the overthrow of
the rebel Government, the said Andrew
johnson. President of the United States
neglected to convene the Congress Of
the United States that by its aid and
authority legal and constitutional nlca-
surcs might have been adopted tortho
organization of loyal and constitutional
governments in the States then receh tly
! in rebellion: in that in his FRO
clamation to the people of North Jifpo-
4 lima OF the 18th day of May, lSt@sgao,
assumed that he had authority to de-
eide whether the government of North
Carolina. and whether any government
| that might be set up therein. was rcpub-
lican in form, and that in his office of
President it was his duty, and within
his power to guarantee to said people a
republican form of government, con-
trary TO the Constitution, which pro-
vidcs that the United States shall guar
antcc to every State in this Union Il re-
| publican form of government; contrary
also to deliberate opinion of the Su
prcmc Court, which declares that Con-
grcss is vested exclusively with the
power to decide whether the govern
mcnt Of a State is republican or not; in
that he did therefore recognize and treat
Il plan of government set up in North
Carolina, under and in conformity to
his own advice and direction, as rcpub-
lican in form, and entirely restored to
its functions as q State, notwithstand-
ing Congress is the branch of the gov
crnment in which, by the Constitution,
such power is exclusively vested. and
notwithstanding that Congress did re-
fuse to recognize such government as a
legitimate government, or as govern
ment republican in form; in that, by Il
public proclamation and otherwise, he
did, in the year 1865, invite, solicit and
convene in certain other States, then in
recent rebellion. conventions OfpcrsonS,
most of whom were known traitors.
who had been organized in an attempt
United States. and urged and directed
; such conventions to frame constitutions
for such States in that he has not only
restored to claimants thereof large
amounts of cotton and other abandoned
property that had been seized and taken
by the agents Of the Treasury. in con-
formity to law, but has paid and direct
ed the payment of the actual proceeds
Of sales made thereof, and this in viola
ton of all laws Of the United StGtcs,
which order and require payment into
the Treasury Of the United States Of all
moneys received from such sales, and
provide for loyal claimants a sufficient
and easy remedy in the Court Of Claims
and in manifest violation, also, of the
spirit and meaning of the Constitution
wherein it is declared that no money
shall be drawn from the Treasury but
in consequence of appropriation made
by law.
"And further. in that the said IN.
, drew johnson. President of the United
, States, authorized the use of the army
. of the United States for the dispersion
of Il peaceful and lawful assembly O
| citizens of Louisiana, and this by virtue
} of a dispatch addressed to II person who
was not an officer Of the army, but who
- was a public and notorious traitor, ant
, all with the intent to deprive the loya
people of Louisiana of every oppOrtu
= nifty to frame State government repub
ican in form. and with the intent, fdr
thcr, to continue in places of trust anC
o emolumcnt persons who had engaged
n in an attempt to overthrow the govern
5 nent of the United States, cXpcctin.
: thus to conciiatc such persons TO him
e self, and secure their aid in support 0
i his aforesaid unconstitutional designs
ii all of which omissions of duty. usulpa
$ tons of power, violations Of his oath o
r Office of the laws and of the Constitu
O ton of the United States, by the sait
4 Andrew Johnson, President of the Uni
: ted States, have retarded the public
, prosperity, lessened the public revenues
disordered the business and finances o
y the country, encouraged insubordina
:, ton in the people of the States recently
II in rebellion, fostering sentiments of hos
! tility between different classes Of citi
; zcns, revived and kept alive the spiri
of the rebellion, Inundated the nation
g diShonorcd republican institutions, oh
: structed the restoration Of said State
Il to the Union, and delayed and possD8n
II ed the peaceful and tratclmal rcOrgani
e zation Of the government of the United
t States.
: GEO. S. boutwell,,
!. FRANCIS THOMAS,
o THOMAS WILLIAMS,
WIN. LAWRENCE,
JOHN {. CUURCIULL.