Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-09-27
The Imneachment Que. ton.

A0S ALL isSlll-AAS1.t SStlS. tiOD.
Impeachment is short and sharp rem-
edy for political maladniHStration. and
one attended with some risk. but in the
present stage of political affairs, Ii is the
only cffectual one. Andrew johnson has
been STEADILY progressing from bad to
worse. The mildcr remedies of the Re
construction, Bill'' ',Tcnure ofOflice BIZ
&c. have been layishly administered. bnt
all in vain. Nothing but impeachment will
avail to arrest the progress of his disorder.
The last symptoms are of the most grave
and alarming character and call for heroic
practice.
The issue OF the last Amnesty Proclama-
ton ought to convince the people, that
johnson has Put himself in direct opposi-
ton to their will. He is evidently deerm-
ined that no reconstruction" shall be con-
summarized unless it be such as will please
traitors. He Is placing all possible obstrHc-
tious in the way ofthe officers appointed to
carry ont the viii of Congress. lie is par
donin@ all tratorous offences against the
country. He is endeayoring to render HI
gatory all laws for the protection of loyal
ctizeps III the South.
We know that Impeachment is dreaded
by many. We are aware that remedies so
violent. are attended with some danger to
the body polite. 1t may perhaps disar-
range business calculations may deprcSs
public securities for a time-may retard
the material prosperity of the country. Al
that cannot be much worse than the pres
ent state of affairs. Securities are already
depressed, and business unsettled. Is the
future bright, now: Can We anticipate Il
speedy restoration of business and politi-
cnl Intercourse, while Johnson is allowed
TO block The wheels?
An Intelligent physician will not hest
tate to use desperate measures III desperate
cases. Let not the intelligent people OF
this country shrink from applying the last
remedy, where they see it is required.
But impeachment is not n revolutionary
proceeding. 1t may be unusual, but it is Il
contingency amply provided Tor. ii is a
eoastt utional provision TO enable the coun
Try Quietly 10 rid itself Of AN ineiiicient or
maladroit officer. 1t is quasj judicial pro-
ccedng, AVID will interfere 40 more with
the business ofthe country, than would the
rial of Doe V. Roe. impeachment is pure
ly political matter, and is properly sub
jcct of political discussion. II is not to be
left to the lawyers. II may be arpropriate-
ly plank in political party's platform.
1t may be carried through rs 4 party meas
ure, and still be perfectly regular. legal
and con stitu tional. Tie House Ruust at.
lcge the acts or omissions. which are the
ground of inpeaehm cit, ard the Scnat"
may adjudges those acts or COMMISSIONS 10
be sufficient or insufficient. The House
need not accuse Ike President Of any in
dic;abie crime, nor Of any ni>demcanor
punishable in the Courts. His character
and conduct may be singularly pure and
yet he be subject to impeachment. Nay.tEe
very acts complained OF, may be done by
motives, may be done in perfect coed faith
from convictions of duty, as in his honest
judgment the best for the country, yet, il ia
the judgment ef;he tribunals. such acts
are dangerous and destructive, The purity
of his intentions will not protect him from
Impeachment. Judges in England have
been impeached for "honestly misin,erpre-
ting the laws
Impeachment is a proceeding purely of
4 political nature. 1t is not SO much de-
signed TO punish the offender. as to secure
the state. Ii touches neither his person
Tor his property, bnt simply divesis him of
his political capacity. We have no desire
10 see Mr.. johnson fined or Imprisoned,
o:any iilhlp2oa to hin personally. but
we DO desire That he be relieved OF his
oilisial capacity. The country la, entrlst-
ed the work of Reconstruction 10 Congress.
johnson uses the power Of his office against
it. 1t is the duty OF Congress TO dHcst
him OF that office III tlle constitutional way.
There shotiid be no fear OF establishing
a Bad precedent. No future President viii
be. i,npeaehtGl, WHO does not array himself
. eaiast4hu people, alId refuse TO execute
her will as 1oh3sgn lias done. Whatey-
ar President does SO refuse. ought to be lnr-
aac,ied.