The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-05-13

The Verdict Postponed.
For the first time in the progress of the trial
there is an unwelcome delay. Hitherto there
has been neither unseemly haste nor undue
delay. but a calm, steady progress of events,
every way worthy of the gravity and impoi-
lance OF the case. Promptly when the Pres
ident flung down his gauntlet the House of
Representatives accepted the challenge and
preferred their charges in the name OF the
people Of the United States before the con-
stitutional tribunal Within ten days the
court was organized. Ten days were given
to the President to prepare for his defence.
A little more than a month ago the trial
opened, and the Senate has patiently listened
to the evidence and the arguments. The
country has listened with no less patience,
and as the case proceeded the belief shat at
last an overt act had placed him within the
reach of a legal remedy for his maladministra-
ton, ripened into certainty. Men began to
count the days before the verdict would be
reached 1t was held to be as certain as if it
We're already recorded The public mind was
fully prepared for conviction and for no other
result. Rumors respecting the detection of
this or that Senator were scornfully cast aside,
with reference to their past history. Gold
dropped down into the thrties, til the thick
enng rumors of acquittal sent it up again to
forty and above.
Were there no grounds for this confidence?
Was it not to be hoped that the government
administered by President and Congress in
harmony might move more smoothly? that
the progress of reconstruction, SO long ham
pered and delayed, might henceforth be as
sured and rapid? Is not that what we need,
first of all? Nobody doubts it. 1t will be a
bitter disappointment to the true men who
have hoped and prayed for the speedy recon-
struction of the Southern States on principles
of equal justice, if the President is still to
paralyse the laws in that region as heretofore.
1t would be a still more bitter disappointment
to the true men South who have learned to
look upon the President as an enemy, and
whose lives would be endangered by his ac-
quiltal.
These are good reasons for desiring the Pres
ident's conviction. Yet no man who has a
just reverence for the laws desires his convic-
ton unless he is clearly proved guilty of the
crimes and msdemeanors named in the arti-
Giles OF impeachment. 1t is better to let the
suffer. If knave can walk the narrow line
which divides lawful from unlawful acts with
out stumbling, it were better to let him go I'M
whipped of justice rather than ourselves to
become law breakers in our eagerness to punish
him. But tbs not the President guilty? He is ac-
cused of attempting to remove Secretary Stan
ton and appoint Gen. Thomas, for the purpose Of
impeding The execution of the reconstruction
laws. His letter to Governor Parsons and his
reported speeches sufficiently attest his bitter
hostility TO the Congressional scheme of re-
construction. That scheme was carried out
through the War Department. and Mr. Stan
ton was faithfully executing the laws of Con-
gress so far as he could The President at
tempted to remove him; is not the intent with
which this act was committed clear as day
light? But it is said the act itself was lawful.
IT that were so, the President should be ac.
quilted beyond doubt. Ii the act itself were
lawful presumed intent could not make it
unlawful. But Mr.. Edmunds, who drew up the
tenLre-ofoffice act and had charge of it when
it was before the Senate, Lolds that the at
tempted removal of Stanton was highland
ed violation of law, and Mr.. Fessenden who is
said to disagree with him on this point never
tuolSSs COuGGueS tudG Uile uU UbCGTfHI appoint
ment of Thomas while the Senate was in ses-
sion was a wholly lawless proceeding. Both
agree then in regarding the msdemeanor
charged in the third article as proved. The
President is guilty of an infraction of law.
He has overstepped the line of safety. There
is no reason for the exercise of forbearance in
this case. 1t is the case of a mischief maker
who at last has tripped and falls. Whose hand
will be stretched out to save him? We trust
none. Least of all do we believe that Mr.
Fessenden, if his opinion on the legal grounds
OF the proceeding is correctly reported will
give his voice in favor of a law breaking Pres
ident. 1t would be vain to deny that this COM
munity which so long has watched with pride
his honorable career, has been greatly disturb
ed by the thck-coming .rumors of the last few
DAYS. We have seen no such excitement and
anxiety as were betrayed yesterday for many
day. Mr.. Fessendens silence respecting his
opinion has been most honorable, but it has
exposed him to misconstruction. If he believed
the Presidents acts, though malicious, not I'M
lawful, he would vote for his acquttal and the
better part OF his constituents though unable
to agree with him, would yet respect his un-
Wavering honesty. But if he believes the ap-
pointment Of Thomas unwarranted by law
then next Saturday he will unquestionably re-
cord his vote for conviction.