The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-01-24
RnroLurIoHARr rnREArs.

RnE0LuT1OHA1r TA1EATs..
We called~essa6on alrslay 10 the nsna-
css Of revolution in the interests of despo-
tism uttered BY the President's Warrington
orssn. The paFt;aAn jounals Asvs taken
the cue, and the threats Of revolution, and
usurpation, of Ill the powers Of Government,
BY the Presidsnt, ars - 1ilh and violent now
throughout the land, ~ menaces of rebellion
were Eve or six years ago. And It isa no.
table fact, tias these threats come from the
same parties, and their friends, in the North
and South, that resisted the verdict Of the
people, in the election of ABRAHAn LINCOLN,
to the Presidential Chair. They sought to
defy the will of the people, and to subvert
our .Democrstic Republican Government,
then in The interests Of an cligarchy of
Southern shareholders, who secuted the rule
OF the majority, as expressed under the
forms, and in accordance with, the Constitn-
ton of the United States. And to-day this
same party, defeated in their attempt to over
throw the Government, by armed rebellion,
Is striving, under new leader, to subvert it
by Executive dictation, and military violence,
and Presidential usurpaaion.
Six years ago they organized an armed re.
belliou, because ~the people had decided
against them, and in favor Of ABRAHAM Linz
coin; and now they seek to organize an
armed usurpation, because the people have
again decided against them, and in favor of
Congress, by returning as their Representa-
tives an overwhelming majority opposed to
the policy of JEFF. DAVIS and A. JOHNSON,
and their myrmidons. Hence, now a. then,
those who contemn the will Of the people,
and sympathise withthe Southern oligsrchy Of
defeated traitors, and their Northern friends,
are conspiring again, in q new scheme, to de,
stroy our Republican system, by establishing
an uncontrolled despotism, in the hands Of
the Executive.
The only prstsnee upon which this crime
against liberty and free institutions is just.
fed, is simply that Congress is not actuated
BY pure motives in the proposed impeach-
ment of the President. This is mere sham
excuse for predetermined nsurpstion. The
Constitution gives the sole right and power o.
Impeachment to Congress, and that body il
the only power to decide upon the suficiency
of the grounds Of impeachment. If the Con
s,itutional power Of Congress may rightfull,
be resisted, and de6ed in this case
then with equal reason nigh
their constitutional power be opposed ant
set at naughtin any other case, or upon an,
other pretense; and free Republican Govern
ment would be Impossible.
The idea of maintaining the supremacy o
the Constitution" by ralying under the ban
ner of the President, in the Inauguration of
civil war, to resist the rightful Constitutions
power of Congress over the matter of i'm
parchment, 10 worthy Of the organ of q part,
which waged An Intellectual war Of four years
to overthrow the Government of the country
disrupt the Union, and blot out Republican
institutions from the nap of the Western
World.
But that is the idea of the Ney
York World, and it hopes to lead it's party
by this glaring sophistry, into treason and re
bellion, and civil war, which would end on
iy in despotism or perpetual anarchy.
The World says:
prom well informed sources in Washington v
receive intelligence which confirms our opinio
that the Radicals are strenuously bent on impeaeh
ment and tho result can be nothing less than
hideous civil war in which men will be eager I
cut the Threats Of their nearest neighbors. Itwi
be no such that from which we have emer
ged, in which the combatanta were separated b
biographical lines. There is no part Of the coun
~ in which mutitudes of the best citizens d
',teonsider the cause Of the President as that Q
DEMONSTRATION. If an attempt is made to de
etthim, upon mere partisan grounds, they vi
include that the supremacy Of the Constitution
nay rs well be indicated, once for all, and wi
accept the risks and perils Of maintaining it."
The Constitution is too clear upon thi
question to leave any doubt. Congress ha
the sole power Of impeachment, and is, Q
course, cole and exclusive Judge in referenc
to the whole matter. And any attempt /
resist their Constitutional power in the prem
Uses, is downright, anmitigated treason, 70
which the Constitution and laws prescribe tn
penalty of death.
Abe Constitution says, expressly, that tn
House Of Representatives "saall have tn
sole power of impeachment i" and it says
justas expressly, that .sthe Senate shall hav
the sole power to try ell impeachments
And it provides expressly, the penalty, il
the following words:
'The President, Vice President, and all eli,
officers Of the United States, shall be remove
from ofhce on impeachment for and conviction
treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misde
meanors"
Only traitors at heart would propose to r.
sist the exercise of this Constitutional powe
BY Congress, through violence and civil wa,
and only hypocritical traitors aud scoundrel
would propose to do it, under the monstroul
ly false pretense, of maintaining the Con
sfitution.
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