Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-03-08
CONGRESSIONAL.

Mr.. Ashley, being under CO nsideration, ne
addressed the House at some length thereon,
say ing: Sir, unless this committee take charge
OF the matter and proceed with b., this Con-
gress might as well lay down its power If
even the evidence that has been already taken
was published, and no further action by Con-
gress should be had, L am satisfied that it
would 60 the country as a deliberate, solemn
protest against repetitions in the future Of a
drunken electeneering tour, which last year
mantled the cheek of the nation with shane;
that 1t will be a protest against his attack upon
the law-making power of the country, and a
protest against his usurpations, his crimes,
and his misdemeanors. Sir, his crime is not,
as many suppose, the mere perddy OF which
ne IS guilty TO the men Tho elected him in an
evil hour Vice President OF the United States
black and infamous that crime is. His
cline rs the highest known to the county,
crime against the Republic itself 1.-THE in
vestIgauon go no farther it will establish the
question that the people of this country will
not permit a man with ImpunIty TO be guilty
OF the acts of which he has been guilty. In
the name of loyalty betrayed, OF law violated,
OF the Constitution tIampled upon, the nation
demands the impeac hme Il and removal of An
drew Johnson.
The Speaker here interrupted Mr. Ashley
and said that while he knew tnere was license
OF debate on resolution in regard TO impeach-
ment he thought the gentleman from ONO was
proceeding beyond that limit.
Mr.. Randall inquired whether there was an
insane asy lum near here.
Mr. Chanler suggested that there was one
over the river. Laughter
MIR. Wood expressed the nope that the gen.
tleman from Ohio would be permitted to go on
with his speech.
The Speaker suggested to Mr Ashley that
ne had used language which would he regard
ed as personally offensive, and taat while he
had the right 70 Earge The President with
crimes and msGemeauors because the Consti-
tuition allowed him TO do the inierences
must be left TO those whom he addressed
Mr.. Niblack inquired from Mr. Ashley
whether he proposed to leave the matter open
10 general debate, and il not he desired to ask
him a question.
MIR. Ashley declined to yield 10 the ouestion
Just now, and resumed his remarks, saying:
MIR. President do not object TO these men VINO
are in sympathy with the Executive
Mr.. Eldridge called Mr.. Ashley to order
say ing he was addressing the President OF the
United States, not the Speaker.
Mr.. Boyer expressed the hope that Mr.. Ash
ley would be allowed to go on without inter-
ruption because he was doing the President
service, and they appreciated bis efforts very
much.
Mr.. Ashley said that he was glad that the
gentlemen so regarded 1t, aud proceeded to
commence his remarks again Well, Mr.
Mr.. EIdridge again called him to order amid
much laughter, when the Speaker intrmated TO
him he must address the Char
MI. Garfield suggested that perhaps the mis-
take was prophetic.
Mr.. Elaridge said he thought the gentleman
from OHIO had President on the brain
Mr.. Ashley, resuming his remarks, said II
Know that loyal men-many among the timed
who are loyal-hesitate in this matter and that
the late rebels and Northern allies of the Pres
ident, with all his corrupt followers alternately
threaten and supplicate that we shall postpone
the consideration OF this matter They also
threaten that in case we proceed with it there
shall be rebellion and civil war, and all of them
JOIN IN prophesyIng financial ruin to the coun-
try II the Congress of the nation undertake to
lmpeach the President, as provided IN the Con-
sutution. i hope Congress will not hesitate to
do Its duty because of the attempt in our own
ranks and of the efforts of the Presidents satraps
and of his rebel allies. If the country can
stand the shock caused by the assassination of
beloved President, IL certainly can stand the
shock caused by the removal OF one who is
detested as the acting sfresIdent Is, if his re-
moval is in Pursuan e'of law Before Ee had
been one month in the Presidency he entered
INTO combinations with the late enemies Of the
nation to usurp the prerogatives of Congress,
and 10 combine. not 10 aid the loyal men of the
South, but to put the government of the South
in The hands OF their mortal enemies and of
ours. With me this would be eRough; but add
TO this his other acts, and the case against him
is complete. The duty OF the President of the
United States is 10 execute, not to make the
laws. His oath requires him him to see that
the laws are faithfully executed. That the
President has neglected or failed to execute
many of the laws of Congress no man Dues
tions. That he has failed to execute the civil
rights BILL and has not even attempted TO do
so, the whole country knows. He has not
only failed to execute ii, but has In indecent
ana most offensive language assailed and de-
nounced the law as unconstitutional. In his
failure TO execute this most just and most me-
cessary law, the crimes of the President be-
come perfectly colossal. Since the surrender
OF Lee and Johnston more than 5000 American
citizens, guilty of no crime but a love OF coun-
try, have been murdered by men who were
lately In arms against the country, and many
more thousands have been driven from their
homes, while no effort has been made on the
part OF the executive department Of this Gov
ernment TO give them the protection which the
law guarantees to them, and which humanity
and justice demands for them
Mr; Ashley then suggested "that all persons
whether citizens or foreigners, who have in
their possession any document that can be
evidence in the case, or who are in the pos
session Of any facts tending to show techni-
cally the guilt OF this man, are bound in duty
TO bring the facts to the knowledge of the
Judiciary Committee"
Mr. Spalding denounced the whole scheme
OF impeachment as one Of consummate folly,
saying, 'no one act amounting to a crime or
nisdemeanor has as yet been proved against
the Executive Of this nation, ana / chaileng ge
any man to reply to me when 1 make this
ayerment Sir, have voted for eyery radi-
cal measure Of reconstruction proposed in this
House, and yet we have not adopted radical
measures enough to suit the purposes Of some
gentlemen around me. They now cry Tor the
head of the Executive. fs,They want more
blood" suggested Mr.. Wood, in mis- seat For
what coed purpose3 Is it to make way for
some other man. or set OF men Is this whole
nation to be cow ulsed, is our public credit 10
be trified with, are our stocks to be brought
down to thirty. twenty, or len per cent, simply
TO crafty this anxiety to remove the Execn
cutive head of the nation! Sir, cannot 20
for that proposition"
Mr.. Niblack here alluded to a charge going
the rounds of the newspapers tending to show
that MT. Ashley is not a proper person 70
bring This matter before the country
MT Butler assumed that the action OF the
Thirty ninth Congress, and the report of the
Judiciary Committee-tnat there is reasonable
cause for Investigation of the grave charges
made against the President OF the United
States by the gentleman from Ohio-forecIoses
the question, and that this Congress would be
false to Itself false to the country, and false to
the principles Of the American 6oyerpment
II u shrank from the investigation. in
A motion 10 lay the resolutions on the table
failed by--yeas 81 nays 49,
mr brooks said the language of Mr.. Ashley
was unbecoming and upparliamentary. II
the president is chief OF The conspirarors and
the White House q den OF thieves ana pardon
brokers, why the delay Of going on with the
lnVes ugaton of the committees Why not i'm.
mediateiy proceed to impeac chment at once !
For what purpose were they assembled here
II the President was guilty of high crimes and
misde meanors, why adjourn for two three
months? Why abandon the Government for
tnat length of time to thieves and pardon
brokers? Now was the time for action. Ii
there was one word of tru th in what the gem
Geman said, this House ought not to adjourn
10 fx,,v,