The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-03-19
INTERESTING DEBATE IN CON-
GRESS
On the Impeachment Question.

the President and the Southern people, he
smoke of the President tie moral incubus
which has blotted our history with its foulest
blot and shall be removed. In the name of
loyalty betrayed, of Law violated, of the Const-
tntion trampled upon, the nation demands the
impeachment aud removal of Andrew johnson.
The Speaker here Interrupted Mr. Ashley,
and said that while he knew there was license
of debate cn resolution 10 regard to impeach-
ment, he thought the gentleman from Ohio was
proceeding beyond that limit.
Mr. Randall (democraf) inquired whether
there was an insane asylum near here.
Mr. Chanler (democra) suggested that there
was one over the river. Laughter
MIR Boyer expressed the hope that Mr. Ash
ley would be allowed to go on without Interrupt
ton, because he was doing the President ser
vice, and they appreciated his efforts very
much.
Mr. Ashley continued: 1t is we'll known that
the civil rights bill has not only not been en-
forced but that the vast military power at the
disposal of the President has been used, not 10
protect loyal men, but has been used either by
his indifference or with his guilty knowledge to
crush rhe loyal men Of the South.
Mr. Eldridge remarked that he understood Mr.
Ashley to censure the President because certain
parties had not been brought to trial, and he
now desired to ask him if he blamed the PresI-
dent because Jefferson Davis had not been tried
upon the indictment found against him
Nh Ashley said in reply: am unable to
answer the eeDtlemau's question, but l know
that in military departments where the Presl-
dent has command of the army, and where he
does interfere, he has used the military power
to crush the loyal men, instead OF sustaining
| them.
Mr. EIdridge asked Mr. Ashley to favor the
House with one single instance where the Presl-
dent had neglected his duty in regard to the
trial Of any person.
Mr. Ashley replied Yes, sir, in New Orleans
where thereare no civil governments, and where,
| by his repeated acts, be has recognized the su.
pren,acy Of the rebel power.
| Mr. Spalding (radical said Mr. Speaker, l
do not boast of any extraordinary degree of cour-
age, either moral or physical; but thank my
| Creator that he has SO constituted me that can
rise on the floor of this House yet and declare
my convictions, although they differ with the
ajnriy of the party with which [ act Sir, |
differ TITO coio with my colleague Mr. Ashley)
ADD | stand here in this very place from which,
| more than two months ago. the Executive OF
this nation was charged with high crimes aud
sdemeanors, to denounce the whole scheme
as one Of coDsummate folly. l trust We have
not yet arrived at the same state Of feeling as
that which existed during the revolution of
Oliver Cromwell, or that which lived in the days
of Robespierre and Murat in France, when those
who IN one day advocated the most extreme
measures were the next day brought to the
scaffold because they were not far enough in the
advance. Is that to be our position in this
country? Sir, | have voted for every radical
measure of reconstruction proposed III this
| House, aud yet we have not adopted radical
measures enough to suit the purposes of some
gentlemen around me. They now cry for the
head Of the Executive. ["They want more
blood" suggested Mr. Wood, in his seat. For
what good purpose? Is it to make way for
some other mat, or set Of men ? Is this whole
nation to be convulsed, is our putlic credit to
be trifed with, are our stocks to be brought
down to thirty, twenty, or ten per cent. simply
to crafty this anxiety to remove the executive
head Of the nation Sir, cannot 90 for that
| proposition.
Mr. Niblack rose to ask Mr. Ashley whether
the newspaper charges that he { Mr. Ashley had
been guilty Of official bribery and corruption
were true
Mr. Ashley. l do not yield the floor to have
the gentleman come here with any such imper-
| tinence.
| Mr. Niblack remarked that he had 20 personal
matter to settle with Mr. Ashley here. He
always settled his personal matters out side of
this House.
Mr. Ashley said want to say to the gentle
man from Indiana that should perhaps not
have used the words did. | meant to say that
his suggestion was not pertinent to the question
before the House. Blu: | will answer it.
Mr. Niblack. Does the gentleman withdraw
the expression?
Mr. Ashley. Certainly I do 1 wish to say
to the gentleman that the point which he raises
against NE has no possible connection with this
case, and is not pertinent to it. When those
charges were first made against me, l came into
the House and asked an investigation of them.
A committee was sppointed-two Of them DEM
ocrats aud three republicans-aud the commit
tee unsnimou-l eXouerated FROM any i'm
proper motive whatever
Mr. Butler (radicaI) made speech, Winding
up as follows: l am willing to take up the
gauntlet thrown down by the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr Spalding,) aud I say that if any
man stands In the way Of the great march Of
TINS country to honor, to glory, to peace, to
unity, to happiness, 20 liberty, aud to Law, he
must be taken out of the way by a constitutional
| method.
Mr. Miller (radica! spoke in favor of moder-
alton, camness, and regularity in such a grave
matter as the impeachment OF the President
lie was opposed 10 pre-judsine the case, or pro-
nouncing on this floor as to whether or not the
President was guilty of the charges before the
evidence was laid before the House. The
President should be tried fairly and impartially.
and the House should not be hasty in declaring
him guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors
Mr. Brooks (democrat) spoke. He said that
MIR Ashley had asserted that five thousand
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