Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-12-06
! IMPEACHMENT.



containing the specifications on which the
resolution Of inpeachment IL based, is as
follow. 74gtt .8'.s 'r. ''''
In accordance with the testimony here.
with submitted aud the view of the law
herein presented, the Committee are 'iol
opinion that Andrew johnson, President
cfths Uniied States. Il sailty;2of high
crimes and misdeneanors, requiring the
Interpretation. Of tho constitutional powers
Of this House.. In that upon the hnal
surrender at The. rebel armies aud the
overthrow OF the rebel Government, the
said Andrew johnson, President of the
-xziteA States. naalcetcd "a conveno ths
Congress OF the United States, that. by Ia
aid and authority legal and constitutional
mcasnres might have been adopted for the
organization Of loyal and constitutional
Governments In the States then recent,
~ rebcliion.s ..n.I4 ~ l..st 4 .a.ll ~.
In that in his proclamation to the people
Of North Cprolina, of the 2gth day.eoi
May, 1868. bo assumed that he had au-
thority fodecide whether the Government
of North Carolina. aud whether any other
goycrpmcni that might be set up therein,
was KepubIican In form, and that 10 his
office Of President IL was his duty and
within biz power TO guarantee io'snd peo.
pie a Republican form of Govetnment
contrary 10 the Constitution, which pro-
vides that the United States shall guaran
tee 10 every State In this Union a Repub-
lioan form of 0osernment contrary, also,
to q deliberate opinion OF the Supreme
Court. which declared that Congress i
vested exclusively with tho power TO de-
eide whether the government Of State IL
Republican or not.
In that he did thereafter recognize and
treat plan of government sct up in North
Carolina, uuder aud in conformity 20 his
own advice and direction, as republican
In form, and entirely restored 10 Its func-
dons as State, Notwithstanding Congress
Is the bsanch Of Government In which by
the Constitution such power il exclusively
vested, and notwithstanding Congress did
refuse to recognize such government as a
lapitimate government or as government
republican In form.
In tiiat by public PROCLAMATION, and
otherwise, be did. in the year 1860, in
yile, solicit aud convene In certain other
States, then recently in rebellion, conven.
tions OF persons, many Of whom were
known traitors; who had been organized
in on attempt to overthrow the Govern
ment Of the United States, aud urged and
directed such conventions to frame consti-
tutions for themselves.
In That he thoreupon assumed TO accept
.ratlfy. aud confirm ceftnin 20 o-calIrd con-
stituiions framed by such Illegal and trea-
sonablc asseublages Of persons, which
constitutions were never submitted to the
people nf the respective States, nor ratified
and confirmed by tlie United States, thus
ausnrping and exercising powers vested by
the Constitution in the Congress of tic
United States exclusively.
- In that ho pardoned largo numbers oI
public aud notorious traitors, with the do
.sign of receiving from them aid in sucl
Convention, called by his advice and di-
.reciion, for the purpose Of organizing anC
.settiig q up suchillegal Govern ments IN IN,
States then recently 10 rebellion prior 4
the annual meeting Of Congress. with th'
intent thus to constrsin Congress to accept
ratify and d.eop6Im such illegal aud uncon
stitutional proceedings.
81. In that be did within and for. the State
recently in rebellion, create and establish
as civil officer the office Of Provisions
Governor, sp-called, an office unknown I,
sthe Constitution or laws Of the land
In that he appointed to such Office 50
created in said States, respectively meI
who were public and notorious traitors, h
well knowing that hey had been engaged
in open, persistent and formidable effort
for the overthrow Of the Goverppdht o
the Uaited States, and we'll knowing Pls'
that these men could not enter upon oh,
duties. Of said Office without committin;
. the crime Of perjury. or In manifest viola
tion of theilaws of the country, 's~
- In that he directed the Secretary o
State to promise payment Of money b
said persons so illegally appointed, as sal
ary or compensation for services to b
performed IN eaid ofice 50 illegally crea-
ted, contrary TO the provisions OF a law o
the. United States, approved February Alb
1853, emitted an act mixing appropria-
fions for the support Of the army for tn
year ending the 30th' day Of June. 1864
and for deficiency for the Signal Servie
for the year ending June Both, 1863.
'sit.In that he directed the Secretary 0
War to pay moneys to said persons 70
service performed in said Office so illegal
created, which moneys we're so paid pDde
bis direction. without authority of Law
contrary to law, aud in violation of th
Constitution Of the United States. 80
go In that he deliberately dispensed Wit
and suspended the operation Of proyi
ssion. Of law Of the United States, passe
on the Cd Of July, 1862, entitled tan nc
% prescribe an oath Of Office and for 9th
er purposes" 8...8 fa
In that he appointed to Offices, create
by the laws of the United States, person
who. as was we'll known to him, had bee
engaged in the rebellion, who we're guilt
Of the crime Of treason, and who coul
not, without committing the crime Of pei
''jury or otherwise violating crimipallyfth
said act Of July 2, 1862, enter upon tn
.lduties thereof s.s ~. -, n
s'saIn that without authority Of law, an
contrary ~ law, he used and applied prop
t.erty taken from the epelny in time Of wa
II for the payment of the expense and th
support Of the said Illegal aud unconsti
,tutonal gjverp ments, so set up in th
~ said States recently in rebellion. and for
bike purpose, and in violation of the Cor
.-Atitutiop, aud of his oath OF Office, he ar
,'fhorized and permitted levy OF. taxes,ur
on the people Of said States, thuseu usurp
inc and exerrssine, a Aco,~r ~ ,,h;sh hv III