The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1867-11-16
Johnson's Intentions-What the
President will do if Impeached.

l am reliably informed that he will regard the
action Of Congress as revolutionary. The Radi-
calls having abandoned the idea Of trying him for
high crimes and mi-demeanOrs. and iustifying his
Impeachment merely on the ground that he Is in
the language Of Butler. an impciimcnt' to
reconstruction. lie viii hot recognize their pro
ceedings a. legal or constitutional, and Will Iav
no respect 10 their resolves and determinations
Should articles Of impeachment be presented and
a resolution passed susTending Mr.. johnson. and
prohibiting him from exercising the functions of
President, should Wade be chosen to act a. Presi-
dent al interim. and armed with this color of
and law. command johnson TO yaCate the White
House and turn over 10 him all the property.
papers. etc. pertaining 20 the executive Office, |
have reason 20 believe that MIR. johnson will
decline and defy Congress 10 do its worst The
President view OF the matter l. said 10 be this:
Each Of the three great branches Of government
i for itself the judge of the constitutiOnaiity Of 4
law. Congress. in the first place, l. n Judge. 1t
passes = law according 10 the constitutional forms
10y the requisite majority over the Presidents veto.
According 10 the Constitution il can only ~legislaie
on certain subjects.
Well. the law is passed. and it comes to the
President for execution. He i sworn TO faithfully
execute bis Office and ito preserve. protect and
defend the Constitution Of the United States
Who is TO determine for him whether the law
passed by Congress does not conflict with the
Constitution he i sworn 10 defend? If he con-
-iders II clearly in VOCATION Of the Constitution.
l. he not under the most solemn obligation -
refuse 70 enforce il? II l. eontended by some
that the more usual mode Is for the President In
assume a law constitutional until otherwise or
dered by the Supreme Court This the President
considers only applies - doubtful cases; but where
the conflict with the Constitution Is clear and
undoubted, the President considers it his duty to
decline Its enforcement altogether. Applying this
TO Impeachment. the following l. the result: Con-
grcss passes articles of impeachment. suspends
the President and orders his arrest. The alleged
Oficnse i that he refuses 70 enforce the laws
which he honestly believes TO be in antagunism
with the Constitution.
IMPEACHMENT FOR POLITICAL oFFENsE REVOLUTION.
He takes one view of the law. Congress another.
He holds that he can only he removed on (. conyic-
ton of treason. bribery and other high crimes and
midemeanon." lie holds that a mere difference
Of opinion o. 70 the constituti0nality of a law
between himself and Congress Is neither treason,
bribery. nor high crime or mi-iemeinor. lie
holds. therefore. That he cannot be impeached,
suspended or removed from Office.
he WILL FRoRoGrE CONGRESS.
Congress insists he can. Then. he considers.
Congress places itself in attitude Of revolution.
II thus violates the Constitution by attempting 70
usurp the Executive power. and must be put down.
How will this be done? The President. acting
for the best interests Of the country and deeming
the safety Of the republic in danger, will issue a
proclamation. proroyuIng Congress. calling for
AL election of new members, and invoking the aid
OF the people % sustain him. This. / am assured.
i the view the President takes Of the impeachment
muddle. and the way be- viii act should the coca
sion arise.
Under the Constitution the President has the
power 20 prorogne Congress only IN case of a
disa agreement % adjourn. But in a great public
when the life OF the nation = al stake,
the President considers the exercise OfeItraordina-
y powers justifable. Moreover. Congress by
assuming unconsritutional POWERS and attempting
10 destroy the Executive. dizqualifes itself, i 10
4 lawful Congress. but q body Of usurpers
and traitors. A. such they have no rights the
Executive i bound 70 respect, and The Executive
deal them accordingly. The Presidents
j. that they first inau-uate revolution by
Attempting an act subversiye Of the Government.
and upon them will rs- the responsibility 81 any
strife or confusion that may follow Washington
Cor. Of The y. J Herald.