The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-01-21
The Remedy of Impenchment--Th Gases Of
John Tyler and Andrew Johnson.


John Tyler and Andrew Johnson.
The proceedings which have been COM
menced in Congress looking to the impeach-
mont Of President. johnson are denounced by
the Southern rebel and Northern copperhead
journals as unprecedented, despotic and reyo-
parchment, if pushed too q will result in
Presidential coup d'etat and in another civil
war, in which the rebel States will this time be
actively supported by the fighting Northern
peace democracy at the call of President
Johnson. This, we know, Is only theatrical
programme expected OF Mr.. johnson by his
present supporters, and SO far il will have
its effect upon Congress. The movement for
his impeachment is, however, a plain consti-
tutional proceeding, although in the length
and breadth OF the issues involved, it is with
preaching parallel case in the history Of this
or any other country.
On the 10th OF January, 1s4S, the Hon. John
Minor Bolts, Of Virginia, in the House Of Rep
resentatives impeached President John Tyler,
elected Vice President ON the whig ticket of
Harrison and Tyler in 1910, and advanced to
the White House on the death Of President
Harrison in April, 1s41, As Vice President
Andrew johnson was in April, 1865, on the
death Of President Lincoln. MI. Bolts, in his
charges against John Tyler, accused him Of
various singh crimes and misdemeanors," in
~, 80 of md in
lation Of law in attempting to exercise con-
trolling influence on the accounting officers Of
the Treasury department" "wicked and corrupt
abuse Of the power Of appointment to and re-
moval from ONCE" "aiding to excite disor-
gsnizing spirit in the country" by proclaiming
his disregard of law of Congress which he
himself had approved, "retaining men in
Office for months after they had been rejected
by the Senate as unworthy, incompetent and
unfaithtul," withholding his assent to laws
indispensable TO the just operations Of the gov
ernment," ian arbitrary, despotic and corrupt
abuse Of the veto power" shameless dupli-
city. equivocation and falsehood with his Cab
met aud Congress- @creating Offices and inves-
LEGATIONS, and making payments Of money
without authority in law and in withhold.
ing information called for by Congress-"
Upon these charges the motion OF Mr.. Bolts
lively days debate, was finally rejected-yeas
SO, nays 127. and this was the end Of the i'm.
parchment movement against John Tyler. All
things considered, the union and peace of the
country at that time. the dominant influence Of
Southern ideas and Southern politicians al
Washington, and the fact that Tyler had been
only following in the footsteps Of Andrew
Jackson and Van Buren,. and the utter hope
lessness Of this impeachment in the Senate, the
vote Tor the resolution was something remark
able. Had the wings possessed q two-thirds
vote in each house, as the republicans now
possess, the result would have been different
We dare say that had they possessed . good,
solid, working majority in the House and two
thirds in the Senate, in the stormy financial
conflict with Old Hickory, even he would have
been impeached and removed, for such things
for instance, o. the removal Of the government
deposits Of specie from the United States Bank
and it's branches to his pet State banks with.
out authority from Congress. The simple
truth, then, is that II neither Jackson, Van
Buren, nor Tyler, nor poor Pierce nor Buchanan
was impeached and removed, II was only be.
cause the opposing party lacked the requisite
majorities in Congress for the work. Buchanan
for example, in pleading the plea to Congress
that he could find no authority in the constitu
ton to resist the secession OF State or the
organization within the jurisdiction Of the
United States Of foreign and rebellicus con.
federacy, clearly laid himself open TO impcsch.
ment and removal from Office.
1t does not follow then, tina, the charges Of
impeachment raised against john Tyler. IL
!, being rejected. establish = prsecdca. for he