Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-12-04
1MPEACHMENr.
THE MAJORITY REPORT.

w ashlngt0n, NOV. Zo.-Ine C0mmlttet
san the Judiciary, to whom was referred the
resolution of the 7th of March last, author
izihg them to inquire into the official con
duct of Andrew Johnson, Vice President OF
the United States, 9ischarging the present
duties of the Office OF President of the Uni
ted States, and to report to the House
whether in their opinion, the said Andrew
Johnson while in said Office has been guilty
of acts which were designed or calculated to
overthrow or corruptthe Government of the
limited States or any department or Office,
thereof, and whether the said Andrew
johnson has been guilty of any act or has
ronspiled with others to do acts which, in
the contemplation of the Constitution, are
high crimes and misdemeanors. requiring the
interposition of the constitutional power of
taiis House,
RESPECTFULLY REPORT
That, in the performance of the important
task assigned to them, they have spared no
pains 10 make their investigation as com
plete as possible, not only by the examina-
tion of the public archives, but in following
every Indication that seemed to promise any
additional light upon the great subject of
inquiry, and they submit herewith the re-
suit of that portion of their labors in the
report.
In order, hoxever. to directthe attention
Of the House to such portions of the some
what Heterogeneous mass OF testimony
which they have been compelled to present
without the order or arrangement that
might have facilitated the exam ination, as
are regarded by them as most material to
the issue, they will now proceed to state, as
hrlefy as possible, the leading facts which
they suppose the inquiry to have developed
beyond dispute. along with their own con-
rlu>innS the, efrom and the el>ons by which
they have been influenced in reaching them
In so doing they must be allowed the in
dulgence which comprehensive scruti-'
ay, running over two years administra-
ton of the affairs of great government
through an unexampled crisis Of the State,
and involving the very highest matters
matters that can engage the attention of a
free people, would seem to nccessitate, and
must At all event, excuse. The charges
iade, and TO which the Investigations of
the committee have been especially directed
are usurpation of power. and violation Of
Law in the corrupt abuse of disappointing,
paraoning and veto powers; in the corrupt in
reference III elections, and generally in the
commission of high crimes ana misdemean-
orS. under the Constitution, and upon this
recital i. was charged with the more gener-
al duty of inquiring into the official conduct
OF the President of the United States. and
OF reporting whether he had been guilty of
anv acts which we're designed or alculated
70 overthrow. suhvert or corrupt the Gov
cfnnient of the United States. or which, in
contemplation of the Constitution, would
constitute high crime or misdemeanor.
requiring the interpositien of the constitu
t:gnal power of the House.
1t sill be observed that the great salient
point Of accusation standing out in the fore
ground, and challenging the attention of
the country, as usurpation of power. which
involves, of course, violation Of law and
here it may be remarked thar, perhaps, ev-
cry great abuse, every fragrant departure
from the we'll settled principles of the Gov
ernment, which has been brought home to
its present administration, whether discov-
sring itself in special infractions of the sta
tutes, or in the profiIgate use of the powers
by the Constitution on the Presi-
dent, or revealing itself more manifestly in
the systematic attempt to seize upon its
'overeignty and disparage and snpersede
he great council TO which that sovereignty
has been intrusted.
In reference to the one great purpose Of
the shattered governments of
The Rebel States in accordance with his own
wishes, in the interest of the great crimi-
nails who carried them into the Rebellion,
and in such way as to deprive the people
of the loyal States of all chances OF indem
nifty for the past or security for the future,
by pardoning their offenses, restoring lands,
and bringing them back, their hearts unre-
pentant and their hands yet red with the
blood of our people, into con dition where
they could once more embarrass and defy,
if not absolutely rule the government
which they had vainly endeayored to des-
troy. 1t is around this p lint, and as an
auxiliary to that great central idea, that all
the special scts of mal-administration we
have interposed will be- found to gravitate
and revolve, and it is to this point, there
tore, as the great master key which ,unlocks
and interprets all of them, that the atten-
ton of the House will be first directed.
1t is fact of history that the obstinate
aud protracted struggle between the Execu-
tive and Legislative Department. arising
out Of the claim of more than kingly power
On the one hand, and as strongly maintain
ed by the operation of the first rights OF
sovereignty lodged with it by the people on
the other, which has convulsed this nation
tor the last two years, and presented spec
Iacle that has no example here, and none In
England since the era of the StuartS, began
with the advent of the. present Chief Mag
i,strate. The catastrophe that lifted him to
his place, whilst 1T smste the heart OF the
nation with grief ard horror, was the last
expiring armed effort Of the insurrection;
ahe capital of the Rebel Government had
iiaiien, its chiefs were fugitives. it's flag was
IN IN the dust; the strife of arms had closed
the hosts that had been gathered for the o.
serthrow of the nation had either melted
away in defeat and disaster, or passed un-
der Ts the conquering hand Of the Republic.
he extraordinary mission of the Executive