Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-05-01

ure-ofOffice act. To this topic he devotes
many pages of his pamphlet, and proves
very. conclusivelyl that he had no such
power. He'ne examines the question
whether the Tenure-ofCfice act applies
to the present Secretary of War, and
shows that it unquestionably does apply
to him-closing his remarks ON this head
as follows:
But the circumstance connected with
this removal are themselves proof positive
of criminal purpose. Upon the 18th of
August, 1867, the President suspended the
Secretary of War and appointed General
Grant the dd interim Secretary. The sus
pension purported to be in conformity to
the law, and was acquiesced in. Upon the
provisions of the section of the Tenure
act" this removal was reported to the Sen
ate within twenty days after its next meet
ing. The reasons assigned by the Presi-
dent were duly considered by the Senate,
and the following resolution fcommuni-
Gated to the President as. their decision:
hesOced, That having considered the
evidence and reasons given by the Presi-
dent in his report of the 18th of Deem
Der, 1857, fol, the suspension from the of
flee of Secretary of War of Edwin M.
Stanton, the Senate do not concur in such
suspension. .easg SIS nj -3'fegao szd aas
The law says in such case, " but if the
Senate shall refuse to concur in such sus-
pension, such officer SO suspended shallre-
sumo the functions of his office, and the
powers of the person so performing his
duties shall cease" The Secretary ad en-
terim vacated the Office accordingly, and
the suspended Secretary resumed his du-
ties. | will not stop now to speak OF the
unmanly and disgraceful attempt by the
President and his Cabinet cabal to trick
the General in Chief into a violations of
the law and to force upon Mr.. Stanton the
alternative of submitting to an indirect
removal from office under cover Of his
suspension, or resorting to legal proceed
ings through the courts, which could not
possibly have ended during the present
administration. The history Of all crimi-
nails illustrates a constant struggle be-
tween crime and cowardice-the desire to
commit the crime and the fear of the conse-
quences that may follow. The criminal
intent to disregard the law was never
more manifest in the mind of the accused
than at this time; but his dread of pun
ishment deferred him from the overt act.
The answer of the respondent and the
proofs spread upon the record show that
from the 18th of January to the 21st OF
February he was scheming and deYising
means to thwart the vote of this Sen
ate and to dispossess the Secretary of War
in disregard ofthe law, and yet to eyade, if
possible, the punishment consequent up
on it's violation. The law told him if he
should remove the Secretary he must do
SO "by and with the advice and consent OF
the Senate" He knew by the previous
vote of that body that no such "ad-
vice and consent" would be given. He,
therefore, not only admonished by
the Senate but directed by the law,
usurped power nowhere given, and is
sued his mandate accordingly. With what
effrontery then comes in the plea that
his only motive was to innocently assert
his prerogatives Was the, War Depart
ment to be made mere plaything in the
hands of the Executiye? Was the ma
chinery of that vast department to halt
and its chief officer to subject himself to
a trial for neglect of duty, while Mr.. John
son would amuse himself with preparing
a case for the courts? Did he not know
sthat the law enjoined duties upon the Sec.
rotary which he could not lay aside
Could he have for O. moment supposed that
that officer would tamely submit to an
order for removal in which he had every
reason to believe the Senate would not
concur? No, sir; he comprehended fully
the length and breadth of the ofense he
was then committing. He saw then, as
plainly as he sees now, what would be the
legal consequences of his act, and only
hoped to shield himself behind that, for
bearance which he had mistaken for
cowardice on the part of the represents
tives of the people. Yet, in defiance OF
the law and in (oregard of his own re-
peated recognition Of it, he asks this Sen
ate to hold him guiltless. Do the annals
of criminal trials anywhere present SC
nlonstrous an absurdity? f ef,..
General Logan then took up the remain
ing articles of the Indictment, and argued
them at considerable length, and closed
his argument as follows::a 2a'
One of the heather philosophers defined
a good prince as one who endeavers to
render his subjects happy j.. g and "a
tyrant,," on the contrary, zone who only
aims at his own private advantage y''
An example of the first we had in the
late lamented Lincoln, and of; the latter in
Mr. Johnson.
Mr.. President and Senators, what
patriots that linger behind will rise and
bless the memory of Andrew Johnsoni
Who will in after times rise to deplore the
fate that now surely awaits him? Who
will cherish as household word his dis
honored name n one, none, Mr. Presi-
dent no, not one. No, sir; the virtues
that should Sadorn Chief Magistrate fled
on the induction Of this criminal into that
office. In sadness and sorrow did the peo-
pie witness this man succeed to the Ex'
ecutive Chair--not by their spontaneous
voice, not by their free accord, but by the
ministration of the murderers missive.
They witness him, who had acquired pow
er by such a sorrowful and inauspicious
chance, bending blindly to the behests OF
those whose adherents, if not they them
selves, had lately been in rebellious arms
against that Constitution which he had
sworn to protect and maintain. They saw
him, flushed with arrogance and pride,
despise the warnings of the people, and
lderide the mandates of their legislators.
When an act of the legislative department
of the government would not inure to his
advantage politically, they saw him openly
violate and trample it under FOOT When
loyalty was, supported and peace at
tempted to be perpetuated, they. saw him
disregard their will and throw all manner
of distractions in the way. Il sod io@aa
4 When officers of the Government would
not bend the knee and cry great and
good prince, they have seen him attempt to
hurl them from his courts. When the com
mander of the army would not do his bid
ding, they have seen him conspire to de