Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-03-12
IMPEACHMENT.
Ashley's Speech in Support Of
Immediate Trial.
He Charges the President with
Completely in the AsSaSSI-
Rali0n-With Drunk
enHeSS and AtrO-
ci0uSCrimeS.

WASHINGTON. March THE follow
ing Z the principal points in thespeech
OF Mr. Ashley. advocating the mmeci-
ate Impeachment of the president;
Mr.. Speaker: This resolution brings
before the house a question OF trans
cendant importance. 1t brings Us lace
10 face with a man whose usurpahOns
have imperiled the republic. We canuot
escape the consideration Of this question
il we-wOUld, and we ought not If we
could. The report o. the Judiciary COM
mittee of the last house, made on Satur-
day. Is a sufficient indication Of the
action Of that body Of charges looking
toward the impeachment Of the presi-
dent. 1t is a report which the moral
sense Of the nation viii approve.
1t Is to be regretted that that COM
mittee was not authorized at an earlier
day to proceed with the investigation, 50
il might have been completed. It then
presented q case for the final action OF
the last congress. All true men who
have examined this matter impartially
should regret that we have not been able
to act before, but ] think l may, without
hszard, express the opinion that there IS
no Czs1e for Encouragement that
foundations have been so earefullylaid as
that the Vaccinations of conspirators,
al4A "a LALaA L4ECAr WIN al AK A1ALHA
owe and patronage IN his hands, VIII
be unable long to stay the doom which
awaits him.
Its to 20 on the record Of this house,
and it it viii 20 into history, that the
people Of the United States will eve
permit any president TO usuTp prerOga-
Gves Of the law making power, nor viii
they permit any president TO disregard
the deliberate and recorded judgment Of
the nation. They will permit no man
who came into the presidency through
the door Of assassination, to use
the vast power with which the
president is clothed in the defiance Of
congress and the people.
Issy nothing Of the dark suspicion
which crept over the minds of men as to
his completely in the assassination Of
Mr. Lincoln-Of facts which I cannot
Danish from my mind of the mysterious
connection between his death and the
tTeachery OF his successor. Say such q
man, IN view Of all that has happened,
should hsve walked with uncovered
head, yery humbly, in the presence Of
loyel men.
II this nation does not brand with the
broad seal Of its condemnation the usar-
pations, crimes and misdemeanOrs Of
this man is win be but an invitation in
the future for a repetition Of his usurps-
lions. Self-protecEon and a desire TO
preserve the honor Of the nation demand
that the representatives OF the people
shall declare, IN a manner not TO ennis
understood, that no man hereafter elected
president, or this president, shall present
himself sc bis Inauguration drunk, nor
shall he turn the white house into q den
of thieves aud pardon brokers.
I hope that congress will not be de-
TERED from doing its whole duty in the
matter, and proceed to the Investigation,
and 1 am convinced II pursued with the
energy which attends an ordinary crimi-
nal trial. the conviction and impeach-
merit Of the president are inevitable as
death. / desire now merely 10 make q
suggestion. 1t Is this, that all per-
sons, citizens or foreigners, who
have in their possession docu-
ments that can be evidence IN the
ease, or who are in possession Of any
facts tending to show technically the
guilt OF this man, are bound IN duty -
bring the facts 10 the knowledge of the
judiciary committee. Any person in
possession Of such facts and negleeting
or refusing to dc 50, becomes an accessO-
~ 20 the crimes Of this man, and viii
be held responsible before the country, l
and Ia the great tribunal Of human his
tory as a partner il his guilt.
d