Nebraska advertiser., 1868-04-02
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.
ImDeaChmenf.


WASHINGTON, March SO:-Gen. Butler COM
parchment at a quarter to one. He reviewd the
impeachment trials of other countries in order to
show in the light of those presidents what really
constitutes impeachable offences. He defined i'm
peachable high crime or misdemeanors to be acts
overt in their nature Oreonsequences, subTersion of
some fundamental or essential principle Of the Gov
ernmsnt, or highly prejudicial to the public inter
est, consisting of a violation of the constitution, of
law Of an Official oath, of duty or of abuse of dis
eretionary powers from improper motives, or for i'm
proper purposes. He referred to the impeachment
Of Lord Dolby, in which the judgments was that the
Executive administration was subordinate in oil
great matters Of policy to the superintendent OF
crontrol of the two Houses of Parli ament. he said
the people thought their Representatives had Joined
issues with the President as to his right to act as
be has, He discussed at some length the power Of
remOvals, and gave the early opinions and practice
upon the subject, all of which were against the
Presidents position.
Mr.. Butler cited further acts Of Congress in sup
port of This position, and after stating the events Of
February last, the removal Of Nj. Stanton and ap-
Poihtment Of Thomas, and the interview with Gen,
Emory. he concluded his argument as follows
Whe docs not know. that from the hour the Prosi-
dent began his usurpation Of power, he eTeryUhsrs
denounced Congress, the legality and constitution
slity Of its actions, and defed its legitimate power
and for that purpose announced his intention and
carried out his purpose as far as be was able, of re-
moving every true man from Office who sustained
tie Congress Of the United States and it is TO
carry out this plan of action that he claims the IN
limited power of removal, for the illegal use Of
which he stands before you this day. The respon-
sibility is with you. The safeguards Of the Consti-
tuition, against usurpation, arc in your hsnds. The
House Of Representatives has done its duty. We
have presented the facts in a constitutional man
ner, we have brought 2 criminal to your bar and
demanded judgment al your hands for his so great
crimes. Never again, if Andrew johnson 90 quiey
and free this day, can the people Of this or any
other country, by constitutional checks and guards,
stay the usurpations Of an Executive power. 1 speak
therefore, not language of exaggeration, but the
words of truth and sOberness, in saying that the fu
ture political welfare and liberties of all mer,
hang trembling on the decision Of the hour.
Mr.. Wilson then offered in evidence certified
copies Of the oath of ONCE of President johnson, of
the appointment Of Secretary Stanton by Presi-
ident Lincoln, and of the "a tifcatien OF said NOM
~iaatiOn, Of Mr.. Johnson's communication to the
Senate, assigning reasons for suspension of the
| Secretary of War, after which the Court adjourn
ed 70 twelve tomorrow and the Chief Justice va
Gated the chair. The president pro TEN, called the
Senate to order. The report of the Committee Of
| C,-Fors,oa -, the hill To ~relieTe certain manuFo.-
lures from internal tax was taken up, and after
considerable de bate, agreed to, WhereupOn the Sen
ste adiourned.