Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-04-29
The Imreacbment Proceedings.

propositions had been voted down ;he follow
ing was adopted:
'sThat as many of the managers and counsel
for the President as desire to do so be per-
mitted to file arguments or address the Sen
ate orally"
Judge Chase ordered IL. Boutwell, to pro-
ceed.
Boutwell, Said the Chief Magistrate of the
principal Republic in the world was on trial.
Tie object of these proceedings was not for
the punishment of his offence, but for the
safety Of the State. The issues between the
President aud House Of Representatives are
technical AID limited, namely, whether the
President had violated The Constitution and
laws in removing Stanton and appointing Ger.
Thomas He then set forth the evils which
be said would probably follow an acknowl-
cdgment of the Presidents power to remove
officers at pleasure. He maintained that this
alone rested with Congress, in whom the
power was vested by the people. He argued
that the Executive and Judicial departments
of the Government are denied all dscretona
ry or implied powers, and that Congress can
adap. an administration to the condition Of
the national life. The President must ad-
minister the law as he finds it, and can make
no inquiry inso its coustitutionality. A public
officer can neither plead nor prove good mo-
tivcs for nullifying the law. The President
has violated the law, and the Senate eau enter
into no enquiry regarding the violated laws
or their conStitutionalty. lledenied that the
President desired TO brirg the question before
the Courts. His pretcxt was fully exposed
His object was to seize the Offices of the Gov.
eminent, and by their influence reconstruct
the Union in the interests of the rebel. l.ouS
States. No criminal has ever been aIraigned
who offered more unsatisfactory excuses for
his crimes. He argued that Stantou's sus
pension and GRANTS appointment were &C
acknowledgements of the Legality of the Tenure
of Office Bill, behind which the President
could no, go, and his subsequent attempt to
remove Stanton was unauthorized by the Con-
sti,ution and yiolativc of the Presidents oath
of office. This fact requires verdict of his
guilt under the first impeachment article.
The advice of the Cabinet furnishes no excuse
it was the advice only Of servants to their
master.
He discussed the Constitution aid practice
of removals, closing his argument with
"none of tie predecessors Of Mr.. Johnson,
from General Washington to Mr.. Lincoln, ever
claimed the power to remove civil officer
during the session of tie Senate without its
consent. lie claimed that the Act of 1875,
even if right, was repealed by the Act OF
1863
He argued the constitutionaI,y of the Ten.
ure of Office Act, claiming that Johnson was
ouy serving out Lncoln's term, and that the
law covered Stanton. He said the President
seems to have been under the influence Ct q
criminal purpose to destroy Grant, as well as
remove Stanton, and attempted to carry out
his purposes by various and treacher. US meth
ods, attem pling to scduce General Sherman
and G. II. Thomas, and using General L
Thomas. TIE nomination of General Ewing
to the post of Secretary Of War, h. being a
man of seventy nine Years Of age, who would
be willing to vacate the office at any time,
and leave it in the hands Of Johnson's tool,
we a part of the old game.
There is no reason To suppose that the pres
ent Secretary of the Treasury would not yield
to any scheme that Johnson might undertake.
Regarding the Presidents speeches, the
House did not arralgn the President for slam
dering Congress, Or for any purpose OF pro
lection; but that a man utterns such words
is unfit for the Office. il
After narratirg the Presidents reconstruc-
ton course, Boutwell, says the HJuse brought
this grest cyinina! to your bar uion the con-
Yiction that the country was in p;'ri!.
Doutwei! concluded as follows: = The House
OF Il representatives. has presented this criminal
your bar with tqaal confidence in his guilt:
aid in your disposition to administer cXaci
justice between lin and the people OF the
United States. HIS conviction is the triumph
Of law, of order and of justice. Do not
contemplate his acQuit.al. 1t is impossible,
therefore, do not loJk beyond. But 5 ma tors
ths oy rnc CONSTITUTION.
The cause Of the country is in Your hands.
foar ve:dict OF gai!ty peace to our beloved
lane
Curtis announced that il. was doubtful!
whether Stanbury would be able TO take ful-
ther part in the trial, and Groesbcck will fol-
low Boutwell,.
WASHINGTON, April 23.-The Court cen
tnucd. boutwell, concluded. Recess.
Nelson, Of Tennessee, spoke ertsmgore and
alluded tp the magnitude OF the occasion. He
feared the lack of ability properly to treat ii.
Managers charged johnson with evil nature
and wickcdness, characterized him as desti
tutc Of character, and accused the President
Of everything, from great political criminal
to a common scold. Nelson gave the Presi
dents biography in refutation oft;lr So charges
ani assertions. These who, like Nelson,
knew ha President best, sustained the Presi
deaf. Nelson felt he was ant addressing Sen.
ators as politicians, but as Judges, who would
rise above prejudice or party, and was conf
den. outside pressure would be Indignantly
repealed. If he believed conviction fore
gone conclusion, humble as he was, he would
scorn 20 address them.
NrlsJn cited resolutions offered by Johnson
and adopted by Ceigrcs; immediately after
The Ball Eau dsusicr declaring lie purposes
cf the war, which are still unrtpea'ed. TO
coins policy, after Lees surrender, vas based
on these resolutions, which johnson faithful
ly carried cut. Congress claimed powers in
the Reconstruction Acts by implication. The
Presidents powers were more plainly implied
Tie Pr s;,!ent had right to bis own opinion
lianrs:y ani! integrity Of motive lar,t be
pro uacl in such case. Nelson claimed
Congress Ind justified the Presidents policy
in the primary recognition of Virginia.
Nelson argued the judicial character of the
Senate and denounced the claims Of Managers
that the Senate was law unto itself and |
could convict on common fame as dangerous
to the country. Senator's oatls showed they
were bound ly laws. uedenouaced as gross
i improper the Managers plea that the pee
pie dc.nand,d this crnric,ian and that lh'.
p 'blic l'niSc beat itiully walc ilry .yed it.
Adjourned.
WAsnrScrox, ...pril 2i.-Nelson spoke all
lay. He KEEP; the Senators and galleri.s
aeIl seated and Interested throughout, atten
ion becoming closer as his effort drew to
;iosc His points were well made, in some