Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-03-16
sPEEIH OF HON. GEO. r. MIL

March :, on Me subject Of the In,Yeactnaent
of the President.
Mr.. MrLLER. Mr.speaker, this question
of impeachment is very grave one, and we
ought to undertake it with great delibera.
ton. think we ought not at this time to
allcge that any evidence that we have is
sufficient to impeach the President, is
time enough to decide that question after
the Committee on the judiciary shall have
given the subject fair and impartial inves-
tigation. We ought to consider the matter
coolly and deliberately, and ought not 10
PREJUDICE the case The Committee on the
judiciary are to be appointed by the honor
able Speaker of this House. am satisfed
he will select men of legal ability, and gen.
Nemen who will give the subject careful
and thorough consideration. 1t is proper
| that the matter should first be considered
by men of eminent legal ability and report
ed upon to the House. If the evidence Is
| sufficient to put the President OF the United
States upon his trial. let him have fair
| and impartial hearing. He should not DC
screened because he holds the highest Of
| fee in the nation, but should be treated like
| any other citizen of this Government, how
| ever humble. ...
But, sir, nm opposed to preiudging this
|
nouncing upon this floor thai lie is guilty
before we have an investigation and the evil
dence laid before the House. If when the
committee in charge have given the subject a
| fair and full investigation they shall find
that he has been guilty of high crimes and
misdemeaDors, for one would be ready to
say, impeach him, and remove him from the
presidential chair with as little delay as
| practicable, and not prolong the trial in imi.
tation to the great HastiBgs case before
Parliament. But until that committee shal
report, it is improper for us to pass on his
guilt or innocence.
I admit that the great Republican party
which promoted Andrew johnson to hi
present high position have been badly treat
ed. We elected him to that position, ant
lie has turned his back against us and ha
joined hand in hand with those who op
posed the war to put down the rebellion
and this in a great measure, l have tn
charity to believe, was owing to bad ad
visers, OF which any man will get plent
when he deserts his friends and partakes o
the forbidden fruit. But with all that We
as the representatives of the people, mus
try him as we would try any other mar
Give him an impartial trial wait for th
!. evidence and report of your committee, an
then, if evidence sustains the charges as t
his guilt, do not hesitate to impeach him
3 and, on the other hand, if insufficient, di:
: miss the subject, and let the country under
stand that lie escapes for want of prope
G evidence. But, l repeat, until the con
mittee shall report let US forbear maxim
}. any allegations as to his guilt or innocence
J, But as the people of the country seem ;
demand investigation it is the duty of th
10 ,a,sth Aalo {
l. possible, and let there be no shrinking frol
C duty. investigate it thoroughly, and if nece
= sary probe it to the core.
Now, sir, it has been said that our actio
It here upon this question may effect the fna
: cal condition of the country. We are tol
that if We impeach the President the Go
+ ernment securities will depreciate in Il
II market. and that it will bring upon
) bankruptcy. have 70 such fears, an
Il Congress ought not to be intimidated |
IS any suggestions of the kind But even If
would have that effect, it is no reason fl
b shrinking from duty. Let us 60 on and j
= vestigate this matter fairly, and if the ev
y dence bears out the charges made again
the President, or such OF them as in Of
opinion can justify his removal from oftic
Is let us prepare articles of impeachment ar
Is put him upon his trial, and if, ON the CO
le trary, after full investigation by the JUG
d ciary Committee the evidence is found j
0, sufficient, then, as l have already said, di
1t miss the subject, and bear with him as WI
d as we can, until the expiration of his ter,
$, when we can select man that will not tn
m against those who place him in powe
t, There is no denying, Mr. Speaker, that it
ST calling to have man promoted to a his
s. position turn his back against those
n whom he is indebted for elevation, and U
st the mighty patronage he wie;ds again
ne them. Such course will be condemned
;" the civilized world, but still that alone
d, not sufficient to sustain an impeachment.
I'd Had Andrew johnson been true to h
OF friends he had an opportunity of makil
ca himself popular, and been an honor to hiI
e, self and his country. After tine assassin
r. tion of the much lanenteo Lincoln, =
y mantle of that great and good man, at who
,d death the nation still mourns, was throw
ly on the shoulders of Mr.. johnson |; but, ala
n, in an evil hour he was induced to parta
r. of the forbidden fruit in the form of mode
Democracy, which seemed pleasant for hi
to look upor, hence his great fall. II
u. course will be warning to all those in
IN ture that may occupy the presidential ch'
th not to forsake the party that elected hi
ne And now, Mr., Speaker, as the time allott
rs to me has expired, permit me to say in &C
ir, clusion that for one will shrink from
at duty that am willing to enter upon Il
MT great absorbing question without fear
he favor, with a determination of deciding I
his case, so far as this House is concerned,
se cording to the evidence, and l feel assur
h that is the determination of the other Uni
lis members.