Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-10-25
irnar LAWRENCE UPON IMPEAcH-
MENT.

tho House, but printed ny perhlseioh "uNSi
the rules of the House, by Judge William
Lawrence of Ohio in which he summed up
,be grounds upon which he favored impeach-
nent The special significance of the lam
puage lies in the fact that Judge Lawrence
IA IN member of the Judiciary Committee,
and this speech is therefore looked upon as
arecital Of the charges upon which the Presi-
dent will be arraigned, il at all. We quote
as follows:
oTbe military power cannot without the
sanction of Congress, establish permanent
civil governments for times ofpeace. when
fragrant war ceased an extraordinary occa-
sion, had arisen which made it the duty oil
the President TO convene both Houses oi
Congress- Refusing to perform this duty,
which he knew 10 be necessary for TINS ana
other purposes, he issued seven solemn pro
clamations, assuming to appoint seven s'v-
fan provisional governors, holding no mill
tary commissions, and without the advice
and consent of the Senate. by these procla-
nations he usurped the power TO create an
office unknown TO the Constitution or inc
laws; to fill that office with incumbents hold
ing by the tenure of his pleasure, without
,he advice and consent Of the Senate, WIN
salaries fixed by no law but his Will, and 10
be paid out of the public treasury i'll viola
tion OF the law. He assumed the power to
clothe these officers with authority; TO cause
elections to be held for members OF eonVeL-
lions; to create State governments by amend
IN a Inn1n different
from that prescribed therein, and without
the sanction of Congress. He prescribed
the qualifications of electors and members
of conventions, requiring of each an oath
not required by former constitutions and
laws of the States. BY his edicts he en-
franchised every Rebel in these States who
would take the oath he prescribed, and ex-
euded loyal freedmen, constituting nearly
one-half of the population OF these States,
from all right 10 participate in the elections,
or otherwise in political power. He put il
In the power of Rebels, contrary to his for
mer convictions of duty, to institute govern
ments forever denying freedmen the poiti-
cal and civil rights of citizenship. The
President assumed the right to determine
when the new State governments should go
into operation, requiring the provisional
governors to remain in the exercise of their
functions until relieved hy his express dlrec-
tiOn.
A President whose conduct IS marked by
acts which may define him tyrani, is unfit
TO be the ruler OF free people, and deserves
impeachment In thus devisng the scheme
of Acknowledgement, the President seems TO
have been guided by purpose to speedily
secure power to the Rebel States, rather than
by Il sense of duty If he did not act con-
trary to his own convictions expressed at an
earlier date. This usurpation by the Presi-
dent is clearly impeachable, and the mode
by which he sought 10 accomplish il, anu
force II upon the country, not only aggravates
the crime, but, in view Of his motives, com
stutes additional grounds OF impeachment.
To achieve his purposes he was guilty OF
many unnecessary and unauthorized usurpa-
tons and acts of oppression. lie held the
liberty of the press subject 10 his sovereign
will and control, suppressing the publication
OF such newspapers as he disapproyed, and
permitting them to resume publication con
trary to the advice of Gen. Grant, by exact
4 ing pledge to support the policy of his nd
y minlstTation, when he was advised that his
order was improper and mischevous in its
tendency. He held large portions of the
Rebel population IN abiect seryilily, not ai
measure of safety 10 the Government, bu
that he might bribe support of his policy by
the exercise of the pardoning power. HI
has restored to Rebels property OF the valu'
Of many millions of dollars, in violation o
law and in disregard of the rights OF loya
citizens He has, without authority an(
without consideration, and in violation o
tue law, transferred to corporations control
led by Rebels, railroads constructed by tn
Government in part al cost OF many mil
lions of dollars, as he has also other pro
perty used for insurreclionary purposes
He has, without authority and in violation
of law, sold railroad rolling stock and othe
property OF the United States OF the Valu
OF many millions OF dollars on long credit
with insufficient security, for less than il
value, to corporations controlled by Rebels
and when payments fell due he has corrupt
ly and without authority suspended the pei
iormance of their obligations. He has pro'
Il tlIuted the power of appointment to and II
mOval from office to the maintenance of hi
policy, regardless of and to the great prejl
a dice Of the public interests; corrupting b
u, as far as possible, all who were bai
enough to abandon principles, and exertin
II ina spirit of prescription, and to an extel
unknown in any former administration. i
aimed blow at the Constitution and Il
liberties OF the country, by refusing to su
Appointments to office, to the Senate /,
their advice and consent, and by retainir
men IN Office regardless of that body. /
made IN order removing all penalties fro
Alarge number of persons marked as desc
iets on the rolls OF the War Department. I
'he purpose of securing the election of
hvorte candidate for Congress in West VI
glhia regardless of duty and without e'
aence' He assumed a power TO dispen
with the acts OF Congress and appoint
Rebels TO office in violation of law. He !
fused to execute laws for the punishment
traitors, or for the confscalion of their pI
pefty, or that used for insurreciionary pr
poses BY his proclamation of April2, lS(
ana by other acts, he assumed TO hims
lhe right TO determine when war had cease
without consulting the law-making pow
Y whose authority alone war can be ma
and peace declared in cases of rebelliC
Al euep I, a.,