Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-02-20
Mr.. ChandIer's speech ON the
Presidents appointing pow
SENATE.
wAsH1soroS, February II.

SENATE.
WAsHISGToS, February IL.
Mr.. Chandler moved that the Senate
take up the resolution offered by him on
Saturday last, instrueting tho Judiciary
Committee to inquire whether Andrew
johnson, Vice President, and acting Pres.
ident of the United States, had any Gu-
thority to appoint Provisional Governors
for the States recently in rebellion.
Mr.. Chandler said. think this rssolu-
ton very important at this time. II the
President had no authority Of law under
the constitution to appoint Provisional
Governors for the States lately in rebellion,
then the action of those Governors fail.
There has been no Governors established
over these States. The inception itself
was illegal. Now, sir. desire that the
Committee on Judiciary should make an
early report upon this subject. 1t Is due
to the President and TO the country that
these points shall be settled, and settled at
an early day. 1 am not a lawyer AMI am
not competent to decide for myself, still
less for the Senate, whether there was any
authority. ~
We know. Mr.. President, that when
Andrew johnson, through the bullet of
J. Wilkes Booth became President of the
United States, the rebels had laid down
their arms, and all Of these rebel States
were held by military powers, and under
these military powers, Andrew johnson
had right to appoint military Governors,
not only for every one of the States lately
in rebellion, but for every city, had he seen
fit so to do. The laws Of war are as well
understood as the constitution on laws of
peace. They regulate and control all civ
ilized nations, When President Lin g.
coin desired a government in Tennessee
he appointed Andrew johnson q Briga-
dier General in the army, and as Briga-
dier General in the United States army,
he appointed him Military Governor Of
Tennessee. This he had right to do as
Commander-in-C Chief But, sir it is an
other and a different thing to appoint 8
Provisional Governor. l believe, sir, it
was an Office unknown, to the constitution
and laws of our government, and an Office
which he had, in my judgment, no right
TO create. The Governors we're not sent
to the Senate for confirmation, nor would
| il have mace them any more GeYeanors il
we had confirmed them, because the Sem
ate and Andrew johnson together could
not have created the Office. If there was
not authority of law, then it required the
House of REPRESENTATIVE the Senate and
Andrew johnson, having first enacted 3
law creating an Office, before an officer
could have bean appointed.
Under the laws Of war, As have said,
we had q right to hold these States by
military power and force. These laws Of
war have been changed from aga to age.
1 arks IL
the will of the conqueror. . :
Under the laws of war in ancient times
prisoners of war were reInorselessly put
TO death. these laws from age to aga be-
came modified, but as late as July, 1866,
the laws ofwar empowered the conqueror
to levy all expenses of war upon the con-
ouered. If Andrew johnson, In violation
of the laws Of war, in violation of the
Constitution, and without authority under
the laws of war, has assumed and exer-
cised powers that did not belong to him,
but which belonged 10 Congress, then 1
do not hesitate to say, and say with delib-
Grafton. for this one act, and for 1t alone,
Andrew johnson should be impsached.-
/ saw it, sir, as one of his judges. say
it, understanding the force Of what I say.
Mr.. Chandler continued: But there are
other allegations made against Mr.. John
son. 1t Is alleged, know not whether
true or false, that Andrew johnson deliV-
cred over property seized from rebels in
railroad stock throughout the South, as
without the authority of the law, to rebsl
railroad agencies, and that the rolling
stock sent from the North to the South, as
well as the many millions Of dollars, was
without the authority Of the law, and in
violation of the law, but by the express
order of Andrew johnson these stocks
were sold on credit to those rebel railroads.
If these allegations be true, 1 say Andrew
johnson should be imPeached and re-
moved.
It is alleged, again, I know not wheth
or true or false, that Andrew johnson,
without authority of the law, and in vIo-
lation of the law, ordered the collection of
direcl tar levied on these rebel States
to be stopped. If it be true Andrew
johnson should be impeaehed and re-
moved.
It is alleged, know not whether true
or false, that Andrew Johnson made ap-
pointments during the recess of the Sem
ate, by removing ineumbents, and during |
the late long session of Congress did not |
seIU IuclT udultS 70 Lnc Dtudlt ~ ALL OuL
on its adjournment, without consulting |
the Senate, and in direct violation of the |
Constitution and his oath of Office, he re-
appointed these men, never having sent
them to the Senate at all. If it be true,
Andrew johnson should be impeaehed.
Mr.. Chandler denied that the President |
had any right 10 have q plan after it had
been rejected by Congress. Let him
obey the laws, or disobey them at his per-
il. There is read, he said, that we, in
executing our constitutional powers, will /
bring some dreadful calamity on this nS-
ton. This alton has come victorious
out Of tho most terrible rebellion the
world has ever SEEN The removal Of the
man who has violated the Constitution of
the United States would produce about
the same amount of excitement in the
country that the removal Of q custom
house officer in q city would produce
And more than this the people have de-
clared; and that decree has been registered /
on high, that this nation shall stand; and
no man, or set of men, and no cmobina-
ton of men, whether headed by JEFF Da-
Wis or by Andrew johnson, or any ohter
living man, can overthrow it. 1t will
stand any and every assault that can be
made upon it. . s...