The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-12-10

destroyed, he assumes tito be his indi-
vidual right as being himelf the State
rather the United States-+to execute the
guardiancy of the Constitution by pro-
viding them with new helds, and accord
lingly directed his preteided Governors
to order Conventions of mch of the peo=
| pie as it was his pleasue to indicate to
make his Constitutions br them,o on such
terms and with such pr,visions as were
agreeable to himself, unEroyided, howev-
er, of course, in the absence of Congress,
with the necessary resouicesi to meet the
Expenses of these organizstions, he not
only directs the payment of a portion Of
them out Of the contingent fund of the
War Department, but with boldness un-
equaled even by Charles the First, when
he undertook to reign without a Parlia-
ment, provides for a deficit BY authoriz-
ling the seizure of property and the ap-
preparation of moneys belonging to the
governments and directing his endeavors
to levy taxes for the same purpose from
the subject people.
The further reading of the report was
dispensed with, except the conclusion, as
follows: s9 nE3 bsagi gi5a z4fag8
In accordance with the testimony here.
with submitted and the view of the Law
herein presented, the Committee are oi
opinion that Andrew johnson, President
of the United States. is guilty of high
crimes and misdemeanors, requiring the
linterposition of the Constitutional pow
ers of this House. - IS
In that, upon the final surrender Of
the rebel armies and the overthrow Of
the rebel government, the said Andrew
johnson, President of the United States,
| neglected to2convene the Congress Of the
United States, that by its aid and author
lity legal and constitutional measures
might have been adopted for the organic
cation Of loyaland constitutional govern
mepts in the States then recently in re-
belliop. 10 t8afda 81 -. sG,4m Z
iIntbat, in his proclamation to the peo-
pie of North Carolina, of the 29th day oil
May, 1865, he assumed that be had au-
thority TO decide whether the government
OF North Carolina and whether any ether
government that might be setsup therein,
was republican in form, and that in his
Office of President it was his duty and
within his power to guarantee to said peo-
pie a republican form OF government,
contrary to the Constitution which rro.
vides that the United States shall guar
anteeite every State in this Union re-
publican form of government; contrary,
also, to a deliberate opinion of the Su-
preme Court, which declares that Con-
gress is vested exclusively with the pow.
er to decide whether the government oil
a State is fepu blican or not. 7s3f7sa4
In that,he did thereafter recognize and
treat a plan Of government set up in
North Carolina, under and in conformity
to bis own advice and direction,as repub-
lican in form and entirely restored to its
functions as State, notwithstanding
Congressis the branch Of the government
in which, by the Constitution, such pow.
er is exclusively vested, aud notwithstan-
ding Congress did refuse to recognize
such government as legitimate govern
ment, or as q government republican in
form. dgiJnain ~
In that, by a public proclamation. and
otherwise, he did, in the year 1865, in
yite, solicit, and convene in certain other
States, then recently in rebellion ,consen-
tions of persons, many of whom were
known traitors, who had been organized
in an attempt to overthrow the govern
ment of the United States, and urged and
directed such conventions to frame COM
stitutions for such States.
In that, be thereupon assumed to ae-
eept, ratify and confirm, certain SO called
,, constitutions framed By such illegal apd
reasonable assemblages ofpersons, (which
constitutions were never submitted to the
peepleaof the respective States, norrati-
fed or confirmed by the United States
thus usurping and exercising powers ves-
ted by the CONSTITUTIONAL in the Congress ol
! the United States exclusively. s 81
In that be pafdoned large numbers Of
public and notorious traitors, with the
design of receiving from them aid in such
conventions, called by his advice and di-
rection for the purpose of organizing
such illegal governments in the States
then recently in rebellion prior to the
annual meetingsof Congress, with the in.
tent thus to constrain Congress to accept
ratify and confirm illegal and unconsti
tutional proceedings. @
In that, he did within and for the
States recently in rebellion, erected and
established, as civil Office, the Office O.
Provisional Governor, so-called, an off C,
unknown to the Constitution or laws O
the land.
In that, he appointed to such Office 8,
created in said States respectively mer
lwho were public and notorious traitors
he we'll knowing that they had been en-
gagged in open, persistent, and formidabl
! efforts for the overthrow Of the govern
/ ment Of the United States land well know
ling also that these men could not ente
Slupon the duties of said ofice withou
ICON hitting the crime of perjury, or il
manifest violation of the laws of til,
country.
! In that, he directed the secretary o
State to promise payment Of money t,
said persons as Illegally appointed a
salary or compensation for service to b
performed in said Office SO illegally ere
ated, contrary to the provisions of tn
law of the United States, approved Feb
ruary 4th. 1868, entitled, "an act, makin
appropriations for the support of th
army for the year ending the Both day o
J June 1864, and for deficiency FOR tn
signal service for the year ending Jun
4 3lth 1S65"