The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-29
The Impeachment Articles - Tho NIarpiet
Sfanton-Tho Republican Party.

scttS, cnalrman) nave, as we understand,
agreed upon the following articles Of impeach-
ment, which they propose to make good before
the Senate when sitting as court and jury in
the trial of President johnson Two violations
Of the constiluton-one in the removal of Mr.
Stanton and one in the appointment of General
Thomas as Secretary Of War without the advice
or consent Of the Senate ; two violations Of
the Tenure of Office act-one In the removal Of
Stanton and the other in the appointment Of
Thomas without the advice or consen. Of the
Senate two or three charges of conspiracy
! with Thomas and others to take possession Of
the War Office, in violation of law, and to pre-
| vent the execution Of the Tenure of Office act
and to prevail upon certain army officers to
violate the law ofCongress which provides that
| all orders to the army from the President shall
pass through the hands of the General-in- Chief
Still another charge will be made of an attempt
to get unlawfully the control Of certain funds
in the Treasury by the unlawful appointment
of General Thomas as Secretary Of War.
All these charges and specifications. however,
it will be observed, hinge upon the removal of
Stanton and the appointment of Thomas 10 his
place, or upon the alleged efforts of the Presi-
dent to get rid Of Stanton. Had Stanton been
removed three or two years ago, or at any time
before the passage of tho Tenure Of Office act,
Mr.. Johnson might have escaped all these sub
sequent annoyances which this man Stahton's
presence in the Cabinet has Occasioned and all
the embarrassments of this impeachment.
With the discovery that Stanton was not with
him Mr.. Johnson ought to have known that the
removal of this dangerous man was the only
alternative Of safety. Surely he had seen
enough Of Stanton's management OF the War
Department during the war to satisfy any rea-
soning mind that he had his own policy to
pursue and his own objects to gain, for which
he would permit no obstruction to stand In his
way while there was chance OF its removal
General McClellan's experience under Stanton
is full Of instruction and numerous other Off
GERS of the army, cast into the shade, owe their
misfortunes to the hostility of Stanton. Even
General Sherman had a very narrow escape
from official disgrace in consequence Of a single
political mistake at the end OF bis brilliant
military campaign of Georgia and the Caro-
/ linas and if Grant was cordially supported
through the war by Stanton II was doubtless
because the political marplot OF the Cabinet
saw that as politician Grant was not the man
to stand in anybody's way, though crowned
with the military laures Of the greatest soldier
Of the age
| Down to the passage of the Tenure of ONCE
act-a measure which was, perhaps, suggested
by Stanton himself and the main purpose Of
which was unquestionably to hold him i'm the
Cabinet as master and sentinel over the
President-the removal suggested would have
been an easy matter, and any other man in
Stanton's place would have been wise
exchange. After the passage OF that net
absolute submission to or rupture with
Stanton was inevitable. II was the object Of
the bill. Under that act Stanton was
empowered by Congress to bring the Presid ent
to a surrender or TO provoke him to some pro-
ceeding upon which he could be brought 10
an impeachment. Mr.. Johnson has fallen into
the snare and is under Indictment rs malefac-
tor while Stanton still lords II over him in the
War Office Yet. under the circumstances, it /.
not surprising that the President should finally
resolve TO invite . trial on impeachment before
q radical Senate rather than continue any
longer In the keeping Of his appointed master
Of the War Office.
Within q few days, we suppose. the trial will
commence. The Senate committee on the
subject, meantime, have been preparing a SCI
Of rules for the government OF tn court
with view to q speedy concl. sipn o.
the ease The indictment il bo,ns con
sidered and shaped for the same purpose
Had Mr. Johnson made known his resolu-
zion TO remove Stanton, even a few days before
he acted upon IL the bill on the table OF III
Senate providing for his suspension from oil Z
when called to trial would doubtless have
been pushed through This measure, however
/. according 10 the House debates on the impescl-
ment resolution, is moi necessary, as the case
against the accused Is 80 pslpable that some
ten days or so will only be consumed in
bringing II 10 settlement. We appreheni
however, that In the examination and cross-
, examination Of Witnesses and In the discussion
I OF points OF testimony AMI points Of law the
trial will last Tor several months, and that in
the end the "high crimes and misdemesnors =
Of Andrew johnson will be Whitfield down "a
nothing.
What, then. will be the consequences 10 tie
! republican party' The time wasted upon thi,
trial TO the neglect Of the great practical
necessities Of legislation and the democrat zins
consequences OF this disgraceful prosecution
J will bring about the impeachment aad eondem.
nation Of this whole radical party before the
high court oftbe people In The elections Of usr,
September, October and November and
II the Senate remove Andrew Johnson tbo
outrage against justice and the scramble among
: the oflce-seeksrs will be equally disastrous "a
the republican cause.'w nothing upon which
to condemn the accused and with nothing "a
L 4 T. IL. - Al