Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-03-02

fore the close of the week, change in the
head of the Government, by proceedings
as regular, peaceable and constitutional, as
those by which Chief Magistrate is elect
ed. In disregard of the uniform presump-
tion in favor of the cOnstitutionality aud
validity of law, until it is declared in
valid by the proper authority, johnson
has, in direct violation OF law, endeavored
to effect important changes In the adminis-
tratiOn Of the Government He has him.
self furnished the evidence of having COM
mitted an impeachable offense, and pro-
vided the proofs OF hisown guilt. We are
rejoiced that, at last, through the obstinacy
and audacity of this bad man, faithful
Congress will be able to rid patient and
!!long-suffering people OF an odiOus and de-
testable ruler.
From the Ohio State Journal. Feb. ISL
JOHNSON TO BE IMPEAcHED.-The House
of Representatives, by unanimous vote
of the Union members, have resolved to
present forthwith to the Senate, arti-
cles of impeachment against Andrew john
son, President of the United States. This
the earnest, emphatic and unanimous indorse-
ment of the Union Republican party of Ohio
and of the United States.
From the Ohio State Journal. Fob. 2s]
The news from Washington is important,
and will be read with deep interest. The
deliberate and systematic manner in which
the House OF Representatives have entered
upon the performance of its high duties,
[Impeachment] cannot be too ,odrmly COM
naended.
lFrom the Ohio State Journal. Feb. 2s.l
johnson appointed Thomas to fill the va
cancy which he, johnson, has endeavored
in vain to create, in the War Department..
This presuming to appoint Secretary of
War, during the session of the Senate, with
out the advice and consent of the Senate,
was not only in violation of the tenure-of-
office law, but in violation of all law, and
the Constitution as well. Whether dd in
tcrins is added to the title, or ad dinJfnituns or
ad anything else, it does not change the
character OF the act. The President ap-
pointed an officer to fill what is now the
most important Office in the Government,
without the slightest regard to the advice
o- consent of the Senate-in fact totally
Ign ring the existence OF the Senate.
/ [From the Ohio State Journal. Feb. 2sl
"REvoLUTIoNARY" IMPEAcHMENr.-It is
amusing to observe the laborious efforts of
the disloyal and semi-loyal press to delude
the ignorant with the idea that Congress
is about to engage in s. revolutionary" pro-
ceedings. Now every man of intelligence
is aware that the Impeachment of Presi-
dent is expressly provided for in the Con-
brought about, is by mode of procedure
as constitutional as the election of a Speak
er of the House of Representatives. The
House alone Is empowered to determine
when this constitutional remedy to rid the
country of an unfaithful officer, shall be
employed. In the lawful exercise of this
right and this power they have resolved to
impeach Andrew johnson for high crimes
and misdemeanors. Every step in this inn
peachment taken by the House and by the
Senate, will be in strict accordance with
the Constitution and laws of the United
States.
During four long and bloody years the
American people have learned-if they
have learned anything-the solemn duty of
obedience to lao. No departure from law on
the part of the Executive or Congress will
be tolerated by the people.
From the foregoing, it appears that Pres
ident JOHNSON committed an Impeachable
offense in attempting to remove STANTON
from the War Office, and that Impeach-
ment should be visited upon him without
the least possible delay. The journal has
no doubt about it. 1t is even amused that
"the disloyal and semi-loyal press
should deny its rightfulness. 1t almost
passes belief that the same journal that
gave publicity to the foregoing gave the
following to the public as prominent ed
itorial:
lFrom the Ohio State Journal. Dec. 2l.l
Mr.. STANroN's CAsE.-We are not
troubled, like many of our contemporaries,
to ascertain whether the allegations made
by the President concerning StantOn's re-
moval, are true or untrue. So far as this
affects the matter of the Secretary's REIN
statement, we do not care what the history
of the case may be. The Tenure of Office
the President of the United States. If not un-
constitutional, IS practically absurd. The idea
that the Executive is to be held responsible for
,ohdt is done By each Department, and pet is
pooerless to determine aoltO shall be the head of
any particular Department, is too ridiculous
for discussion. This Tenure of Office BILL as
applied to Cabinet Ministers, makes s,ceeping
change in our system of Government. 1t
amounts to this, that the confidential advis-
ers and the sole agents through whom the
President is expected to perform his pub: :ic
duties, may each and all be banded togeth-
er to defeat every measure which the Ex-
ecutive wishes carried out. Nay, more !:
the loacest Cabinet officer may treat the Presi-
dent Of the United States, in his .oton house
nsdnder-in Chief Is po,oerless to guard against
any insult that his subo1 dinates may heap upon
him. Ii President Jackson had not had the
power to change his Secretaries of the
Treasury, could he ever have carried out
his financial policy? Should President
Lincoln have been restrained from remov-
ing Simon Cameron? Or should General
Grant, if elected President, be deprived of
the power of determining at all times who
shall be his Secretary OF War? johnson.
like euery other President, has the po,oer and
should haue the pooer, to make a change in his
Cabinet tohenerer he sees ft. Much as zoe dd-
mtre Stanton, zoe do not care ,ohether John
son had cause for removing him or not. 1t Is
enough to Enoao that he is removed.
Two months and ten days ago, when
Republican journals were fussing about
the reinstatement of Secretary STANTON,
the Journal was mot troubled" whether
the reasons given by the President for his
suspension were s'true or untrue" 1t die
not care anything about the history of the
case. If the President told the truth about
it, well; if he did not, well again. 1t die
not care whether the Tenure OF Office bill
was Constitutional or Unconstitutional. Il
was satisfied that so far as it had reference
ito the Constitutional advisers of the Pres
nleIt Of the United States, if not unconsti
tutional, is practically absurd" The Jour
nat did not stop here. Its indigna
tion was up, and with freedom i
gave the public in this connection piect
Of its mind forcibly. Said it: 1.-The idei
that the Executive is to be held responsi
Bile for what is done by each Department
and yet is powerless to determine who shal
be the head of any Department. is too ridicu
sous for discussion" But now this samt
authority says that it is right for Congress
TO fmpeach the President, for violating thi,
.spracticaliy absurd" bill-this bill, which
was "too ridiculous for discussion" in De.
cember, and that the people will sustain
Congress in this busines.3 Nothing within
the last two months anu'ten days has oc-