The Portland daily press., 1868-03-27
DAILY PRESS.
PORTLAND.
Friday Morning, March 27, 1868,
The Impeachment Trial.

peached OF high crimes and misdemeanors,
and the Senate has been solemnly sworn to
do impartial justice upon the impeachment
according to the constitution and laws. Thus
far all the proceedings have been marked by
dignity and propriety worthy of the SUI
preme tribunal of great and law-abiding ma
ton. There is no occasion for any futter or
excitement. The majesty of the States is
represented in the Senate, and behind the
House is the power Of the people. Patiently
and long Congress has borne with the Presi-
dents noisy talk, weaving meanwhile web
OF legislation confining his restless hands and
compelling him to submit to the will of the
people he had ceased to represent. At length
he violated law passed by both Houses over
his veto, law passed to prevent him from
turning the army into an instrument of OBJ
struction, law in express terms declaring
the violation of which he was guilty a high
crime and misdemeanor. The objections to
this law which the President urges now he
urged In his veto message. He says it is un-
constitutional now, and he said so then, and
both Houses then reviewed their decision in
the light of the Presidents objections and re-
affirmed it. The House by presenting articles
OF Impeachment has once more attested its
belief that the law is constitutional. and it is
simply inconceivable that the Senate should
change its mind. There are no new facts,
except the Presidents wilful violation of the
law; and it is unlike ly that any new argu.
ments Will be introduced. 1t is morally GER
tain that the Senate will decide again as it
has decided twice before.
Because this result is morally certain, be-
cause there is no appeal from the sentence
| of this tribunal, and because it is sustained
by power so irresistible-no less than the
whole moral and material force of the nation
the trial should be conducted, as it no
doubt will be, with the most scrupulous re-
gard for the rights of the accused He is en-
titled to fair hearing. He is entitled to a
reasonable time TO prepare for his Defence
The court, while yielding to no dilatory mo-
tions, has granted ample time for this pur-
pose. 1t would have been bad example to
set before the country if any other course had
been pursued. The object of these proceed
ings is not to punish Andrew johnson, but
simply to prevent him from doing any fur
ther harnl-tO withdraw from his hands the
the trust he has abused. His political priyi-
leges alone will be abridged by conviction; he
will not suffer in person or property. ANY
impatience or undue haste would bring dis
credit upon the court, aud it is noticeable
that hitherto the only signs of petulance and
illtemper have been manifested by the Presi-
dents counsel.
The intense interest with which the public
watches the successive steps of the trial, is
betrayed by the swarm of conjectures and ru-
mors which are rife all over the country. We
have heard that Chief Justice Chase was paw
ing the way to be the Democratic candidate
for the Presidency. We have heard that Ben.
Wade has already formed his Cabinet. We
have heard that Mosby was drilling his men
on the other side of the Potomac Probably
there are some people who believe all these
incredible stories. But no more extravagant
fiction has yet found currency than the fol-
lowing, which we copy from the Presque
Isle Sunrise:
We are in receipt of a private letter from
Washington, which says that Senator Fessen-
sender Of this State is one OF the men who. loy-
al men tear, may be found missing or voting
with the enemy. 1t is lamentable that men
entrusted by the people with power, are so
frequently found false to the interest OF those
who made them, or weighing in the balance
their own personal interest or personal feel
lngs against the welfare and safety of the ma
tlon which looks to them for protection
Our friend says that Mr.. Fessenden has a
| NJ ra1
in-law, sons, and other connection holding
Office under this administration. He was the
candidate of his friends in the Senate upon
the orSanlza, ion OF this Congress or the Pres
idency OF the Senate, the office now held by
Mr.. Wade. Ii he had been chosen President
OF the Senate, he would have succeeded to
the Presidency upon the removal of Mr.
johnson, and it is said he will never forgive
Mr.. Wade for beating him, and by voting for
the impeachment OF Mr.. johnson make Mr.
Wade President. How far Mr.. Fessenden is
influenced by these motives and feelings, we
do not know, but time will reveal, and it he
allows his vote to shield Andrew johnson
from the fate which his course deserves, one
thing Is sure, the people of Maine will re-
member who betrayed them.
The statement that Mr.. Fessenden was a
candidate for the Presidency of the Senate
is utterly without foundation. That is an
Office which Mr.. Fessenden probably never
desired and for which he certainly was never
candidate. As chairman of the finance com
mittee he was long the leader of the Senate
upon the floor, and when he resigned thai
honorable but laborious position it is hardly
to be supposed that he was ambitious to as
sumo the irksome duties of presiding
officer, or to succeed to the Office of Presi
dent of the United States by the accident O
an accident. AS for the other insinuation
we can only express our surprise and regre
at finding it in Republican paper. Mr.
Fessepden met this accusation of nepotsu
in the Senate last July, with the statemen
that he had never recommended the appoint
ment of any relative to office. If some O
his relatives have been able to obtain offices
without his help they will not probably neet
his assistance to keep them. Since that ex
PLANTATION, which the Sunrise should remember
there have been occasional slurs in Demo
cratic newspapers but we do not remembel
to have seen the falsehood revived in am
Republican paper. Maine owes too mucl
to Mr.. Fessenden to lend any counte
} nance to such thrice refuted ISLANDERS. The
man whose tried integrity commanded thu
confidence of the whole country when i
! was necessary to find a successor to Secretary
Chase is not the man to betray any trust re
, posed in him. He has said that in his opin
ion it was improper for man who might b
called to try another under the sanction o
an oath, to prejudge the case and commi
himself in advance by violent denunciation
i. But he also said, ~ await events. Whel
they come trust l shall he prepared to NEE
! them in my place and, I hope, with an hon
est and pure mind" What Mr.. FessendenI
verdict will be no one probably knows excep
himself. That it will be rendered in all sin
cerity and honor, no man has any right to
doubt; and what verdict sincere and hon
orable Republican statesman win be likely tt
: render all men can judge.
S0nshea.