Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1868-06-12
sxrAroa nsnLAS,s OPINION.

brings rs the full text of Mr.. Harlan's
opinion in the case Of the impcach-
ment Of Andrew Johnson. 1t is one
Of the ablcst speeches made upon the
subject. Its premises are sound, its
logic correct, and its conclusions in
evitable. The people OF Iowa may
well feel proud Of him. In intelleeta-
a powcs the equal, IL nat the superior,
OF his colleagus. he has always main
tanned . reputation for integrity Of
purpose and purity Of life above the
resch Of suspicion. The tongue of
slanderer dare not wag against him.
While the best friends Of Mr.. Grimea
have always admitted shss he hsa
some gricvous faults and bad hAlils,
Mr.. Hariaa has kept himself sloof
from sll the viceA whes. therefore
Mr.. Grimes clsims superior conscient-
iousuees for his vote, he makes him.
self ridiculous. Does anybody belive
his motives more noble and purcr
than thoes Of Mr.. Harlan? The idea
is preposterous. Mr.. Harlan voted
as the Republicans Of lows, without
a dissenting voice. desired asd ex-
pectcd-Mr. Grimes vosed - sose
desired, but many feared. II tLere
is . single Iowan who has asy doabt
that the voice Of the people and the
vote of Ar. Harlan we're in accordance
with justice We advise him to read
the opinion or speech delivered BY
Nj. Harlan. 1t establishes Johnson's
guilt beyond the possibility Of IN hon.
est doubt. He places the guilt mani
" upon the appointment Of Thomas,
where it logically belongs. leaving no
ground for quibble shout the appli-
cability Of the Tenure f-Office act to
Mr.. Stanson's case. "Aftcr giving
this subject" says Mr.. Harlan" the
most careful examination Of which ]
am capable, am compelled to come
to the conclusion that if there had
been an existing legal vacancy in the
oGlce Of Secretary Of war. the Presi-
dent had no authority under the stat
ute Of 1875. or any other law, the
Senate being in session, to Gil it in
the mode charged in the second arti
Gle Of impeachment, and admitted in
the Presidents answer. Much less
had he the right to both create and
Gil vacancy as charged in the first
and second articles" This conclu-
sion is irresistible from article two of
the Constitution, which provides that
.He shall nominate, and By and with ad-
rice and coasenf of tie Senate shall appoint,
Ambassadors, other public Ministers and
Consuls, Judges Of the Supreme Court, and
all other officers Of the United States whose
appointments are not herein otherwise
provided for, and which shall be established
by law
..Corgre.s may by law vest the appointment
Of such inferior officers - they think proper
in the President alone, in the courts Of Law,
or in the heads Of departments"
.The President shall have power to 6lI
up oil vcancies that may happen during the
recess Of the Senate, BY granting commiss-
ions which shall expire at tho end Of their
next session"
II IL therefore, clear. says the Sen
ator, s4that the Presidc.t i clothed by
direct grant Of the Constitution with
the absolute unrestraised and exclu-
sive right 70 make appointments to
GIL rocanc;es temporarily viii. h may
happen during the recess Of the Sen-
ate, and with the qualified right to
make permanent appointments during
the sessions Of the Senate; bat he ~
not clothed With the authority by dir
ect grass 10 make ressorols either in
the recess or during the sessions Of
the Senate"
The opinion concludes ~ follows:
"rhose acts, whether takes jointly o. sepa-
rately. seem 20 ne TO b . clear vislnsisa u tAs
Constitssi0n and IL law. rAaA tAsy vers pes-
forned by ths President dslibssatsly aAd vill-
fully latter. according to it, trss iatrat ana
meaning h, assspdiDe - ~ jsAg0snAy fslly
sstahlishsA. Do ncl, thsssfoss. - ~ vay
clear. under tAs sslsasieiss ofay cath. 10 ssd
hin inpocsat"
Had Mr.. Grimes bssa equally mind
fhl of the solemnisies Of h:s oath, he
would, doubtless have arrived At the
same couclasions.-C Cxiccgo Journal