Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-11-29
IMPEACHMENT.

Inc Ctncinnati Gazette takes this view
ofthe Impeachment question 'e'ss "a
=" The result in the House twill depend
upon the character Of thetestimony upon
which the proposed impeachment is based
Ifthis proves to be conclusive, the report
in favor of impeachment will be adopted,
and the people will sustain the action
Of Cong There is nothing clearer
than that the people arc in favor Of punish
ing Andrew johnson II be has rendered
| himself liable to the extreme penalty pro.
Iyided BY the Constitution. Congress need
not shrink, therefore, in the performance
Of its duty in this regard on The ground
of expediency. Il Is cxpedient to do right
and il is right TO impeach the Acting Pres
sidenl il he is believed 20 be guilty.
But in the absence OF decided proof Of
guilt, the movement will not be sustainedi
nor will it, we presume be adopted by the
House. Many leading Republicans in the
| latter body have so far committed them-
selves against impeachment that all doubts
in regard TO the suiliciency of evidence
will be in favor Of the President Ii,
therefore, the House shoald, by large
majority. decide in favor OF impeachment,
the probability is that a verdict viii be
secured before the Senate, against the
President. The charges that the impeach-
ment movement is purely partisan in its
character and is merely intended for effect
upon tho next Presidcniial nomination,
are simply foolish. In the event Of the
conviction Of johnson, Senator Wade
would become Acting President. That
would not promote his chances. for the
Preside entail nomination, even were he to
become a proninennt candidate. Neither
would il help OF damage Chief Justice
FChase's prospects; nor would il make
General Grant more or less popular than
he is TO- day. There may be members of
Congress who are influenced by purely
political motives, but not many.
That Johnsea's administration is cor
rupt 10 the core, is net to be doubted. That
he has filled the Offices, to a great extent,
with mere partisan tools, is not to be dis
patcd; and that in consequence the people
are being bled at every pore, these IS
flood Of evidence. A removal, therefore,
that would secure an honest adniuistra.
ton Of The Government, and system for
the collection Of the revenue that would
be more complete and successful than that
under which the grossest aud most bare
faced frauds are being committed, would
be satisfactory and profitable 20 tue people
on general principles; but nevertheless, the
public would prefer to sndurs the admin
istration, Of johnson than to resort to
measures not clearly within the letter and
the spirit Of the Constitution.
IL is not our purpose 20 orguc for or
against impeachment, in advance Of the
evidence. This, when made public, viii
be fair subject for discussions; but from
the temper Of Congress and Of the people,
il il safe to say that impeachment will
fail in the House probably. in the Senate
certainly, unless sustained by evidence sof
the most conclusive character.
We may remark, here, further that
viewing the matter in a purely political
light, the in peachmeut Of Johnson, even
if successful sd sustained ovcrwhel mingly
by the people, cHn not of itself materially
advance the interests Of the Republican
party. Grave ms this question is, there are
offers Of more Immediate importance. To
these members Of Congress- should give
carly attention. While II Is important to
deal out Justice to Mr.. johnson, the press.
log interests Of the people cannot be
neglected without disastrous political re.
suits. Prominout among these latter
questions is the financial problem. This
is now foremost ia the minds Of the peo-
pie. 1t Is fccli6ely remembered every
day. II is tho momincut theme Of con-
yorsation. We would advise congressman,
therefore, TO take hold Of this matter aud
handle it promptly and wisely. Last year
they paced club In the hands of
political enemy 20 smash the Republican
party. We do not charge that Mr.. Nc
Culoch in pursuing bis policy, under the
wide and extraordinary discretion given
TO him, used itwiih this object in view;
but this has been It's effect. The people
now, overwhelmingly, demand n change.
IL Congress should disregard this demand,
aud still permit Mr. McCulloch to pur--
sue his policy, there is.nothing more cor
tain than that Congress will DO ovorthrown.
we would warn Congress, therefore,
agdinst the delusion that impeachment OF
reconstruction are the questions that are
now swaying the public mind, and that
they can safely escape under these, howe
ever successfully they may be disposed OF,
from the duty Of promptly attending to
the finances and the revenue in accordance
with the clearly eSpreAsed sentiments Of
the people. e,.a CT
Some on,eFprising Coppcrhead editor