The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-01-17
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of tie Baltimore .sun.l


WASHINGTON, January 13, 1867.-Nr. BENNETT
in editorial in the Herald Of yesterday, professoe
to have information from this city that g Mr.
AsHLEG's resolution, and tho pending inquiry Of
the Judiciary Committee, but the initial steps
to deliberate purpose on the part Of the Republi-
cans in Congress for the removal Of President
JoHNsos without any needless delay" And the
Herald proceeds to set forth the plan Of procedure
viz: 4s
Articles Of Impeachment by the House trial Of
same by the Senate !. conviction of Mr.. johnson
and his deposition from Office probably before
trial. and certainly within two months from the
commencement Of trial Ben. Wade in the mean
time to be elected Vice-President pro ten,poye,
and of course by virtue OF the statute of Presden-
tal succession, become President Of the United
States
The Herald proceeds to admonish all parties con
cern.d, adopting the editors nautical language,
TO Trim ship for the coming gale, ," the conflict
in general revulsion.
The foregoing alarming plan is nothing new to
sans as Mr. Ashley. n truth, there were il the
olOt some much more weighty and talented mem
bers than the 'sgreat impeacher.n y :! - -
But the Herald editor mistakes the facts when
he endcavors to mako it appear that there is any
new movement or plan adopted for the mpeach-
ment Of Mr. Johnson. Every well-informed per-
son here admits that from the moment that Mr..
Ashley assumed the leadership Of the project, the
2
day, until now the general impression is that the
whole matter will end in the House, probably with
report from the Judiciary Committee condemna-
the pardoning power, and the so-called abuse in
making appointments to and removals from Office
The Herald sends down to this city, now and
write up particular subject. These editors,
strangers personally to members OF Congress- and
heads of departments, spend q few hours here,
catch up curbstone gossip and hotel saloon chit
chat. get introduced and talk to o LaH dozen mem
bers Of Congress (who know less but tell more,
probably, than any other half dozen people,, and
with their observations upon the status of Congress-
and the purposes OF its members. Their accounts
o rns the s
ing passed throughl late rebeDious State Us fast
as railroad cars could take them straightway rush
into print indite and publish book on Southern
sentiment. 7.J,a ..'i4ai :1i lsE
The purpose of class Of Radicals, Of which Mr.
Ashley is fair type, to impeach and get rid of Mr.
the Congress convened in December, but every one
who mingles with the Eeaectng, able me1abera of
upon which the charge of impeachment was to be
sustained became developed, Che probability OF the
success of the scheme grew smaller 5-tit
But it is not to be denied that every effort win be
made by the members OF the Judiciary Committee
to makea bad case against Mr.. Johnson, for that
committee is composed of ~the most violent Radi-
calls some of whom -Messrs. Boutwell, and Bing-
ham, for example-were among the original insti-
gators OF the impeachment adventure. And, as
showing the anirnus Of the committee, it is but
necessary to say that they have entrusted the talk
ing Of testimony to subcommittee OF three-al]
extreme Radicals s-Messrs. Wilson, Boutwell, and
Williams; i5 tH S$ Al &
With such q committee what is likely to be the
character of the evidence on which the Judiciary
will report, if ever it shall make report may Be
readily surmised. Swift witnesses Will OF course
be available: The subcommittee, is composed o.
recognized learned lawyers, and the Presiden,
might feel content to entrust the taking Of test
mony to such able jurists in view Of the fact that
in making up the charges for impeachment the
legal Interpretation Of treason and other hgt
crimes and nisdemeanors," must be sustained BY
the fact and not the partisan construction Of sucf
men as Messra. Forney and Ashley. But, unfor
tunately, this selection of an entire committee
one already pledged to impeach Mr.. johnson, ,!ani
the others the implacable enemies Of the President
gives no promise of disposition to deal fairly il
the Investigation. Mr.. Johnson will have no re
preventative in that subcommittee to cross-ex
anime the Witnesses. ss s&
Nevertheless, we know the character Of the
charg preferred, and knowing positively that tn
facts will not make up the legal basis for impeach
ment, ard relying upon my knowledge OF tn
opinions and temper Of certain Republican Sena
tors, feel warranted in stating that the specula
tions OF the Herald editor are more applicable t.
the state Of facts that existed month ago thar
to the condition of affairs at the present time. a
r re YorL T