The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-12-10

ment, was cowardice; to have pursued it
in the spirit Of party; to have degraded
it into a mere investigation of political
policy with reference to partisan success,
would have been meanness and disgraced
the nation itsele by scandalizing the ma
I'tion's constitutional head We repeat,
therefore, that the Investigation of the
Committee was, 80 far as we took part in
| It, with the sole view to ascertain whether
the President under the charge preferred
against him, was guilty of any impeach-
able ofense. Not only so, but with the
belief that it was the only question we
were authorized or expected to inquire
into. Not witness was called or exam.
ined with any view to proving a case for,
mallycensuring or condemning the po-
liticaT acts of the President. No sugges-
ton was made or intimation given by the
majority of the Committee until the res
olution Of censure was offered, that there
was any purpose Of considering, as a
Committee, any but the question of i'm
peachment; nor was there then, as we un-
derstood it,any purpose Of reporting such
resolutions in the House for its official
action. We think, therefore, that we are
warranted in saying that although much
testimony irrelavent, illegal, and expert
mental was taken, much that had no bear
ling upon impeachment, and much more
that was not testimony in any case or for
any purpose, that none was taken With any
view except the impeachment; hence we
insist, that, if, the Committee had the
right Of jurisdiction, which we deny, to
inquire into the political discretionary
power Of the President with view to his
condemnation, that it has not in any le-
gitimate and proper manner Investigated
or attempted to consider that subject
We do not.impugn the personalmotives Of
any member Of the Committee who differ
with US. Our intercourse upon the Com
mittee has been pleasant, and the courtesy
with which we have been treated uniform
and uninterrupted. We entertain none
but the most kindly feelings toward every
member; but candor and sense of duty
compel US to declare that We can find no
warrant or excuse for this travelling out
side or beyond the subject with which
the Committee was charged to censure and
condemn the President exceptin the pref
udlee and zeal l,ef overheated partyism.-
The President needs,a and asks, no defense
from US upon party grounds, or upon any
other than those which spring from Off
cial obligations and duty He was not
the President of our choice and was not
elected by our votes, nor is it necessary
that we should agree with him, or justify,
or approve, all he had done; neither do
we feel called upon to review all the great
mass of testimony taken by that Com
lmittee to show that his censure and con-
demnation are not warranted by it,though
taken as it has been and uhchallenged as
ittwss; in that regard we do not, however,
believe the unbiased, unprejudiced mind
will be able in the testimony to discover
any justo reasonable cause for condemn
ing and impugning tho motives by which
he was actuated. Indeed, differing with
him in opinion az We have to the policy
and propriety of many things he has done,
and many things he has left rndone, we
feel compelled to declare that the proofs
Safore us will not warrant. q charge that
ne was in any instance controlled by mo-
tives otssr than pure and patriotic. His
greatest ofIe2se, Se apprehend, will be
found to be that is has got been able to
follow those whe elected lin to HE office,
in their mad assaults and departure frcm
the Constitutions. government of the fa-
thers Of the Republic, and standing where
most Of his party professed to stand when
they elected him to Lis present exalted
position be has dared to diier With the
majority Of Congress upen great and vi
tai questions He has believed is the
continuing and binding obligations of the
Constitution, that the suppression Of the
rebellion against the Union was the pres
eryation Of the Union and States COM
prising it,and that when the rebellion was
put down. the States were all and equally
entitled to representation in the Congress
of the United States. Planting himself
firmly and immoyably upon this position,
be has incurred The fierce aud malignant
hatred and opposition Of all those who
claim by virtue of the alleged conquest
Of The tsrritory and The subiueation of
stbe lneonle Of the lately rebeilious States
the power and right to dictate to them
nader and the l;bsr,;es thew shall be
nsrm;itsd ~ en;oy Tn tb;s difference
Bbs.-ssn roS.sass IA ~ prss;dant 49,,
itbsi dss;rss 'sof esob For ,ha .dont;nn bs
the cou,,trv of their ,ssnect;vs M views !: =
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