The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-12

O party sense. This view in no case proceeds I
from any lingering liking for the President or
his policy. The party are a unit in reference
TO the duty of Congress to push forward its
measures of reconstruction, regardless of the
plans of the Presidents and in reference also to
the hopelessness of all attempts to bring Mr..
johnson and Congress into harmony. The feel
ing prevails, however, that the Union strength
in the Capitol is sufficient for the accomplish
II ent of the cherished purposes OF the party,
and that there is, therefore, no necessity for
waging war upon the Executive. Practically
in all that pertains TO the status of the South
and IFS restoration TO the Union, he IS power
less; and 10 make him the victim of Congress
sonal authority would be to call forth large
amount OF feeling in his behalf, and TO invest
him with q capacity for mischief which he can
IN no other way Obtain AS matters stand, he
can do very little in any respect. His vetoes
effect nothing. His identification with the
Democratic party sewers the last bond OF sym-
pathy with the Unionists who elected him.
And for these and kindred reasons, the Re-
publican press-Or so much OF 1t as has vet
been heard from on the subiect-discounte
nanCes the movement for impeachment as
equally unnecessary aad unwise.
A just estimate OF the gravity of the proceed
ing and the unseemly spirit in which it was in
augurated is further Observable. The prOprlsty
Of impeachment, in certain circumstances, Is
conceded, and the ability OF the country TO endure
the stain is affirmed with positveness that
implies no lack of confidence. But IL Is ut the
best serious affair, only TO be begun under the
pressure OF impertous necessity. The strain
upon our institutions, our finances, and our
ere dlt might not be unbearable; but it would
be sufficiently serious TO suggest caution in the
inception and management of the proceeding
The judgment OF the country should be preyi-
ously convinced. The pride of the American
people in tie integrity OF their institutions and
the honor of their rulers should be shown to
require the trial. And the temper and motives
OF the accusers, and the mpartiality of the
judges, should not be open to cavil. The opinion
! IN al ho,r,
imperlecty complied with. The discussion in
! the caucus, and the sayings of Mr.. Ashley in
| the House, indicate more OF partisanship than
| OF Calmness, dignity, and judicial irmness The
| idea generated Is that for partisan reasons the
! President must be Temoved-not that the honor
! OF the nation and the loyalty and purity of the
! Government render necessary his trial and pun.
| lshment. The organs OF Republican opinion are
! evidently apprehensVe Of the danger which Ill
! judged zeal may infiCt upon the party: and
! hence their disapproval of the manner in which
the question was mooted by Dlr. Ashley and his
! friends.
Having been introduced in form that rem
| dered some action unavoidable the reference OF
! the subject 10 the Judiciary Committee is every
! where recognized as the proper course. 1t
A removes Il e subject from the arena of partisan
strife. II conhdes the task of preliminary inves-
tgatOn to a body whose leading members
/ whatever be their personal predileCtions-are
! not likely to mlsinerL ret facts, or TO miscalcl
! late their weight at Il formal trial. Moreover 1t
! seems to dispose of the whole subject. at any
| Idle Tor the session. The Committee will con-
! duct their inquiry, of course, and they will in
J due season report. But there is little proba-
! biliy OF more being done, in the House or
| Senate, while the present Congress lasts. And
meanwhile public opinion, and the opinion of
! the party, Will have an opportunity of making
itself understood. IT, 9s we believe, and as our
Republican contemporaries assert, the impeach-
ment project conflicts with the views and de-
sires OF the people, the period consumed by the
preliminary inquiry will suffice to rectfy the
mlsapprehension under which their representa-
tves have labored.
The ineXpedency of the movement is declared
on yet other grounds. Without entering minutely
into tho minor shades of difference in the state
ments OF our contemporaries touching impeach-
ment, il will be found that they concur in
reminding Congress of the urgent need that
exists for practical legislation before the 4th of
March. In the absence OF legitimate work
| buEcomke and paTtisanship might be INDUCED
IN with comparative impunty, But tine condi-
ton OF the country is critical. its industry its
trade, IFS finance, are so disogganized that to
neglect them is to invite disaster, distress, and
embarrassment. Extreme sensitiveness and
anxiety are experienced with regard to the
causes of the depression; and the conviction is
universal that Congress ought not to DELAY
measures of relief. The people care less for par
tisanship just now than fOy relief from taxation.
They are not willing that the material Industry
should be crushed under load of duties and
taxes, CT the national credit Imperilled by an
Unsound and neglected currency And the
Union party, through its press, evinces its
sense Of the responsibility which, at such a
tine, rests upon those whom it has sent to
Washington.