The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-02

AmnrChAHN8
Impeachment.
From he Times
Even as it is, the Reconstruction bill is not
satisfactory to the organ of Mr.. Wendell Phil
bps. 1t is "still fundamentally wrong" says
Lhe Aah-Slavery Standard. Why2
ut will settle nothing definitely. II extends
an opportunity to the people of the rebellious
districts to organize as loyal States-an oppor-
10 misimprove. II is a matter that should not
be left optional with them."
The Southern people should suck comfort
from the objection. For the moment, the
matter is "optional with them" And by
prompt use of the opportunity, they may miti-
gate the harshness of military rule, and have
the benefit of participation in the reorganiza-
tion of their State Governments. If the Legis-
1atures neglect the chance, citizens who are
not legislators will profit by it, and the pro-
scriptive policy of Tennessee and Missouri will
most likely be adopted.
But whatever may be done under the new
plan, the Standard insists upon the impeach-
ment and deposition Gin advance of trial) of
the President
"Whether this bill shall become a law or
otherwise, two things are imperative: The first
is the impeachment and deposition of Andrew
Johnson: The second is an amendment to the
Federal Constitution guaranteeing suffrage TO
all loyal citizens throughout the Union"
The second of these demands is approved
by many not belonging to the anarchical
school. Consistently moderate journals of
the Springfield Republican stamp have steadily
urged the guarantee of impartial suffrage by
Constitutional amendment. The probability
is, however, that the privileges of call loyal
citizens" will be amply secured by the pro-
visions of State Constitutions framed subject
to ratification by the universal negro vote.
The danger is that, under the pretense of pro-
tecting 'all loyal citizens" sweeping dis
tranChisement may be enacted. To avert this
we would have the South proceed at once to
comply with the requirements of the measure.
The Standard is not alone in it's demand for
the removal of the President. The Independent
is, if possible, in still greater hurry. Thus
it raves:--
Congress sets the army TO governing the
South; but does Congress know who is at the
head ofthe arUIy? Andrew Johnson! The re-
moval of the President, therefore, becomes in
stanty necessary to the safety Of the republic.
Let him be impeached forthwith Let him be
put out utofthe way without further coquetryW
That's the genuine revolutionary style. The
President is in the way; let him be forthwith
thrust aside What does the Constitution
amount to in this emergency The removal
of the President is 'instantly necessary" and
must not be delayed by constitutional provi-
sions as to trial, or by legal provisions as to
evidence. There may be no evidence, or the
evidence adduced may be akin to that hunted
up by the Wentworth smelling committee"
Nevertheless, Andrew Johnson must be 'tm-
peached forthwith" Nay, more: he must be
E'put out of the way without further CO.
quetry." Right or wrong -cOnstitutionally or
Otherwise-by perjury if not by lawful testi-
mony-by fraud and usurpation, if all other
agencies fail-he must be ''put out of the
way" He blocks the game of the confscators
and anarchists-the hypocritical Independents
and the cold -blooded Wendell Phillipses-and
cannot be permitted to remain where he is.
The sober sense of the Union party revolts
against this outrageous violence. The Presi-
dent stands in an unfortunate relation to the
party, but that is not a reason for hunting him
down with the blind ferocity of bloodhounds
We think, as the great majority of the party
think, that he has erred; but error of iudg-
ment-even obstinacy of opinion-is not an
impeachable offense, still less an offense to be
visited with the savagery of revolutionary
junta. If the slightest excuse can be found
by Mr.. Boutwell, we shall hear quite enough
about impeachment. But in any case it is a
matter for judicial investigation, to be con-
Quoted calmly, dispassionately, and with a
strict regard for constitutional foTms-not to
be determined off-hand by the Marats, Dan
tons, and RObespierres of the Independent and
Anti-Slavery Standard.