Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-01-22
PROGRESS OF IMPEACHMENT.
The Radical Programme.


Cincinnati Enquirer writes:
The action of the House on Mr.. Ash
ley resolution was marked by more de-
termination than / have before witnessed
in this body. 1t was no ordinary affair,
and was put through in way that indi-
Gated that the actors were conscious that
they we're passing the Rubicon, beyond
which they might perish, but, if suooss
full, all was theirs. | notice that the
National htelligencer of this city, and
other papers, are frie IDLY to the Presi-
dent, make light of this impeachment
movement and declare that it will end
in smoke. Aud | am assured that such,
also, is the conviction of President John
son. Never were persons more deceived.
This impeachment movement is de-
liberately planned affair among the
bolder of the Radicals, and will be put
through at all hazards. The Judiciary
Committee will report articles of i'm
penehment against the President, and
the House will adopt them and send them
to the Senate. That is just as certain as
that Congress is now in session, and is
the representative of the Radical revo-
lutionary element Of the country.
The President must be, and will be,
depesed as party necessity. The Su-
preme Court must be reconstructed,
from the foundation up. 1t must be
made to consist of unadulterated Radi-
calls, who will conform their decisions to
what is called the loyal popular will "
Its recent decision must be wiped out
annihiated is the word. The Southern
States must be reconstructed on the
basis of loyal suffrage" which cannot
be success fully accomplished until Pres
ident johnson retires from Office. And,
further, what may be the result of the
next Presidential election if Mr.. johnson
continues 10 be President2 Here are
three things that can be made sure of
only by the removal of Mr.. johnson
from the office he now fills. And unless
these three things can be secured, the
Radical party must go to a speedy
grave. The leaders are, therefore, in
dead earnest in this impeachment busi-
ness. The Judiciary Committee that
has it in charge, we are informed, will
conduct its investigation in secret. All
here know what that means. 1t will be
remembered that this same committee,
in conducting the investigation last year
in the attempt to implicate MIR. jeff
Davis as one Of the conspiraters to
assassinate Mr.. Lincoln, excluded Mr.
Rogers, the only Democratic member in
it. from all knowledge OF what was
going on. 1t will treat him in the same
way in this impeachment investigation
The committee is, with one exception,
uncompromising Radicals, and strongly
favor impeachment 1t is made up of
wilson. of Iowa, Rad; Boutwell,, of
MASSACHUSETTS, do; Woodbridge, of Yer
mont. do: Lawrence, of Ohio, do; Frank
Thomas, of Maryland, do; Morris of
New York, do; Andrew j. Rogers, Of
New Jersey, Democrat
II is we'll understood among the know
ing Radicals here, that the committee
will report articles Of impeachment, and
that the House will adopt them. 1t only
requires a bare majority to pass them, so
that the bold leaders can afford to lose
come weak ones. The articles of i'm
neaehmeut will be sent to the Senate.
Now commences the serious part Of the
nerformance. 1t is not yet determined
what shall be the status of the President
after the articles of impeachment shall
have been sent to the Senate-whether he
shall be permitted to perform the duties
of President until after trial and convio.
tion or whether he shall be, by order of
tbe Senate, required to vacate his office
unt;l the trial shall have been concluded,
The presidcnt of the Senate in the mean
lime acting ss President of the United
ctates In order to have the form of law
On ,bei- side, the Radicals have intro
dnced into Congress bill, and will pass
!, declaring that when the House OF Con-
r,ess shall prefer articles Of impea 1h-
ment AGAINST any officer, he shall, until
the Senate shall have disposed OF his
case. be suspended frC i the functions OF
his Office. Il has b IN privately said
that. if Congress were to pass such an
act. and the President were TO attempt
to resist the order of the Senate for his
Temporary disposition until the Senate
disnosed of these articles Of impeach-
ment against him, that Gen. Grant would
not obey an order Of the President for
troons 10 protect him in his Office against
tbe orders Of the Senate. But should
Gen Grant consider himself bound to
furnish the President troops for his pro
lection. what then
IT, Radical leaders, in anticipation Of
,his last contingency, rely on the hve
bT,dred thousand members Of the Army
Of he Republic, which they say are or
vanized. armed aad drilled, and which,
they say, is able 10 sweep the President
Geserni Grant snd his troops into the
Pnfnmnn The members Of this secret