The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-04-03
Thirty Days to Prepare for Trial.

From the Milwaukee News. n
The president S counsel asked the senate
to allow them thirty days in which to pre-
pare for the presidents trial. The request
excited show of mock Indignation on the
part of the managers and the request was
denied. #
What is this trial in which the spresi-
dents counsel are about to engage Ii IL
a trial in which the senate is to determine
one of the most vital questions as to the
powers Of the government ever raised in
any court or congress; trial which, ii
conclusive as to the issues involved, is to
draw the line between the jun dict on Of
congress and the executive department for
the guidance of all future presidents and
congresses under our present constitution.
The methods of procedure in the case are
new and Of themselves necessarily require
elaborate investigation On the part of the
attorneys concerned, in order to an ;nteili-
gent discharge of the duties imposed upon
them in the controversy, while the consti-
tutional questions involved are those which
compel not only an elaborate investigation,
but familiar acquaintance with judicial
decisions, the past practice Of the govern
ment and the principles upon which the
government is founded. Were the fate of
Andrew johnson alone involved, or were
the country in immediate danger of revolu-
ton from his presence in the white house,
there might be some apology for the hot
haste with which his conviction IL demands
cd. But no ground exists for this apology.
President johnson appears at the bar OF the
senate representing a construction OF the
federal constitution as old as the govern
ment itself-a construction in which millions
living and millions yet to be born have an
interest as direct as in any question OF hui
man government which has agitated the
minds of men during the present century.
The real question is whether the congress of
the United States can repeal the constltu-
ton, excuse the president from his oath,
legislate away the prerogatives of the cxe>
cutive department and usurp to itself the
power to execute as well as to enact the
laws of the land. Are thirty days too many
to prepare for the trial Of such an issue as
this 'e8 te
The president of the United States is no
criminal in the ordinary sense. 1t is not
seriously alleged that he has committed any
felony or even that he is wilfully guilty of
any violation of any law. Yet there is not
a felon in the United States whose demand
for time on trial woulS not have received
more consideration from the bench than the
demand Of the president CT the United
States received from the senate of the Uni
ted States Nor is there court in chris
tendon whore the counsel for parties CON
tending for the mere rights of property
could not have obtained an adjournment
from one term to another on representa-
ton of facts less forcible than those presen.
ted to the senate by the counsel for the
president. ..... D.. --+tal.
1t is the part Of intelligent men Of all
parties to watch the progress of this trial
with an impartial eye The time denied
the president by the senate will be granted
him by the people. and the judgment rem
dered by the senate is to be confirmed or re
versed at the polls. nd p s.r 'e "tl