The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-17
SlRnders In COngress-The President Dc
nOunced as an Assassin.
From the Times.

SlRnders In COngress-The President De-
nOunced as an Assassin.
From the Times
When the Hon. Ben. Loan, member OF Con-
gress from Missouri, introduced his resolution
charging resident Johnson with sundry high
crimes and misdemeanors the Tribune re-
marked that he was evidently ''weak-minded
person ambitious to figure in the newspapers"
Stronger-minded men than Mr.. Loan have not
been free from this ambition; but few men OF
any mind at all would be eager TO figure, either
IN newspapers or in Congress- in precisely the
character which Mr.. Loan has selected for his
debut.
His resolution came up for consideration on
Monday, and Mr.. Loan read, according to the
fashion of the day, written speech, repeating
and amplltylng with due emphasis the charges
made III his resolution. One of these charges
as presented IN his speech, was that of com
plclty IN the ASSASSINATION OF President Lincoln
upon which the ierVld Loan dwelt with a zest
peculiar to the school OF politicians TO which he
belongs. 1t happened by some extraordinary
accident that one member OF the House, Mr.
Hale, of this State, was listening to the speech:
and what is stlil more extraordinary, it struck
him that charge OF assassination made i'm his
place. in ordinary debate, by member of Con.
gress, against the President of the United States
was not in order Mr.. Hale accordingly called
tne sttentlon OF the Speaker to the subject; but
much as the resolution and the speech were both
IN the nature OF steps preliminary to impeach-
ment, which was proceeding expressly war
ranted by the Constitution. The Speaker
being clearly right Mr.. lale did not press that
point. But he did press another upon Mr. Loan
himself He appealed 10 him whether he did
not deem 1t due to his own self-respect, as well
AS 70 the dignity OF the House and the nation,
not 70 make such charge without submitting
at the same time something in the nature Of
evidence TO support it.. Mr.. Loan did not The
matter ne SAID, would be investigated by the
proper Committee, and he did not douht II Tho
entire satisfaction OF the gentleman from New
York. MIR. Hale begged PERMISSION to ask him
further, whether Mr.. Loan did not think he
ought at least TO say that he had lno,Diedge of
facts which would sustain the charge he had
made. But the lambent Loan refused. not to
answer, but to allow the question 10 be nut. and
as he had possession OF the floor il could not he
put without his consent "
Mr., Loan rs evidently unconscious OF having
done anything discredltable to himself IN
which he may be right-or calculated to reflect
discredit upon the country, which is NOT so
clear. His personal opinion on the point is
matter of little consequence, but it IS more
significant that the House of Representatives
should seem equally Indifferent to the effect of
such infamous calumnies, uttered by its own
members, who at the same time refuse to be
responsible for them, upon the President of the
United States Whether they believe them to
be true or not, the members of the House SYM
pathize with and share the spirit which prompts
such assaults The party ends to be accom-
plished and the personal resentments to be
grati6ed, blind the majority of Congress to
their effect upon the reputation of the country
at home and abroad. II the charge is believed
90 have the slightest foundation in fact, the
United States stand before the world with an
accOmplice IN the assassination as their Exc.
cutlVe head-as their only organ of communi-
cation and intercourse with otner nations. If
It is not believed, Congress must be deemed less
careful of its own dignity than any company of
pot.house Draw lers in the world
Mr. Loans resolution Is still before the
House awaiting its action. But the judiciary
Committee has been directed to inquire into
the general charges against the President, and
this among them. We trust IL will make that
ipouiry as prompt as possible. 1t cannot evade
il nor delay 1t without lending its influence to
calumnies which 1t permits to circulate without
Investigation. II is impossible that such charges
as those made by Mr.; Loan, In his place in Con
public mind both at home and abroad. We