The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-06

bring their examination to aclose Not having
fully investigated all the charges against the
accused, they deem 1t inexpedient to submit
any conclusion beyond the statement that
sufficient testimony had been given "to
Justify and demand further prosecution of
the investigation" And so the testimony
taken was delivered into the hands of the
Clerk of the House, subject to a reouisition
from the new Congress, for the use of such
committee thereof "as may be charged with
the duty OF bringing this investigation to an
end, so that the labor expended upon IL NAV
not have been in vain"
Thus, then stands the case. The Commit
tee OF the retiring Congress report that sufi-
clent testimony has been obtained "to Justify
and demand further prosecution of the in
vestgation;" and so among the first proceed
ings of this new Congress will probably be the
adoption OF a resolution instructing its Judi
ciary Committee to resume the Investigation
and push it to a conclusion. When the re-
tiring Committee say that this course is de-
manded by the evidence obtained, we cannot
avoid the inference that President Johnson is
in great danger Mr.. Rogers of New Jersey.
on the other hand, of the Committee. in
minority report, says that he has Carefully
examined all the testimony in the case and
that in his opinion it ''is without particle of
evidence upon which impeachment could be
founded" but it must be remembered that
l.
doings, in opposition to and in defiance of
Congress, and that his opinion is not likely to
have much weight beyond the lines of the
Presidents supporters.
On Saturday the Hon. Ben. Butler delivered
at Albany a lecture in which he earnestly
urged impeachment as the only remedy for
MIR. Johnson. On Monday, while the Democrats
in the new Congress were rejoicing over their
new accessions of Fernando Wood, James
Rroplyc op6 Tpb,, Morr;sgo,r 46o d.,
Butler was holding a quiet little confidential
chat with "Old Thad." Stevens. The special
topic of this consultation will perhaps appear
CATER the appointment of the regular commit
tees of the House by the Speaker) in new
impeachment resolution from Mr.. Butler EN-
bracing the resumption of the late investiga-
tions. Meantime however, we expect a gene
raj message from the President to the two
Houses on the state of the country, and in this
message, if he will, he may create such diver
sion in his favor as to secure suspension of all
these impeachment proceedings. He has, we
believe, only to recognize the complete over
throw of his Southern policy, the new obliga-
tions which are upon him in seeing the policy
and the laws of Congress faithfully exc
cuted,' and to declare his purpose in good
faith to execute these laws, in order TO have
the sword of Damocles which is still hanging
over his head, taken down.
From the tone of his veto message on the
Reconstruction bill, we are not very sanguine
that he will adopt this course. In that mes
sage he garnishes his constitutional objections
with charges of pa.tisan motives and designs
operating with COngress-charges more be-
fitting a stump speech than state paper.
Nor does he disclose in the temper of this
message any purpose or inclination to recog-
nize his obligations under this bill if passed
over his head But after his dongs in the
South upon the pending Constitutional amend
ment, some explicit assurances in regard to
this new law will be necessary for his saliva
ton. Against this law he is as powerless as
South Carolina or Wade Hampton. He can
no longer make q change in his Cabinet or
remove an Otice-holder without the consent
of the Senate. Congress, too, in no mood for
further trifing, is on the ground awaiting his
decision upon this Reconstruction bill.
What will Mr.. Johnson do The Hon. Ben
iamin +. Wade, President of the Senate, is as
anxious to hear, no doubt, as the anxious
leaders of the Democratic party. Fairly beaten
at every point, and disarmed, there remains
to Mr.. Johnson the only alternative Of
graceful surrender to Congress or an indignant
resignation of his Office if he would escape the
last resort of impeachment. A protest like
that of Mr. Brooks against this Congress as a
rump Congress will be only the folly OF that
melancholy Chicago pilgrimage over again.
The spirit of his late veto, so well calculated
to aggravate rather than soften the hostile
temper ofthe South against Congress, will no
longer answer. First of all, the case OF Mr..
Johnson requires his submission gracefully to
the sovereign law making power; and secondly,
that faithful execution of the law which will
most readily bring back the excluded Rebel
States to graceful submission. Let him meet
these requirements in his opening message to
this new Congress, and let him next issue
proclamation to the South urging generous
submission to the law, and resumption of the
impeachment Investigations will be indefinitely
postponed. The whole case now hangs upon
the Presidents expected message to Congress
upon the state of the country.