The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1868-02-27

VIII not cOnufm the nomination.
Signed, GEO. II. THOMAS, Maj. Gen.
This message gives great satisfac-
ton to the radicals, and there is much
speculation as to whom these brevets
will be offered to next.
Washington, Feb. Is.
After the close of our yesterdays
dispatches, from the House, Mr..
Washbun proceeded to address it in
an able speech, favoring Impeach-
ment. He said:
To him, the pathway of dnty was
plain. That great party which, with
patriotism, courage, fidelity and he
roism, had carried the country in tri-
umph and glory through the war
would not now be overcomeb by u band
of mercenary camp followers Of a
corrupt and reasonable administra-
tion; the time had como when the
President should be promptly i'm
peached for his last great crime CON-
mitted against the Constitution. His
longer continuance in Office was q
perpetual and enduring meanace
against the peace and prosperity of
the country. The whole official career
of the President had been marked by
wicked disregard of all his obliga-
tions of public duty, and by degree
ofperfdy, treaehery and ssturpitude
unheard Of in the history ofthe rulers
of q free people, as mendacious as he
was malignant, he had in his official
capacity sought to hurl down and de-
stroy the bravest, the noblest and
the best man in, the land. His ads
ministration has been a constant and
prolonged warfare against all the ma
terial interests Of the country; it had
Frustrated business; it had oppressed
labor, destroyed States, impaired the
public credit, and sapped the public
morals. Surrounded by red-handed
rebels, advised and counseled by the
worst men that ever crawled, like
filthy reptiles, at the footstool of
power, he had used all the vast au-
thority ofthe Governmentto prevent
the union ofthestates, the restoration
of harmony, peace and happiness to
the country.
Mr.. Woodward obtained the floor
and refusing to yield few minutes
time to Mr. Washburne to conclue his
remarks, because of the ISLANDERS ut
tered by him against the president,
proceeded to address the House
against impeachment. He argued
that any impeachment of the Presi-
dent and theidoa that Secretary Stan
ton was within the protection of the
tenure of Office bill, was blunder.-
Whatever executive power the Fed
eral Government possessed was vest.
ed in the president, and the Senate
was only a regulation for the exercise
of the power. If Congress- meddled,
Congress became trespasser.
| In conclusion he said: Mr. Speaker
am sure that the American people
will respect this objection that / offer
III were the Presidents counsellor
would advise him, if you prefer arti-
cles of impeachment, to demur, both
| to your jurisdiction and to that of the
senate, and to issue a proclamation
| that while he held himself impeach-
able for misdemeanorsin Office before
constitutional tribunals, he never
would subject the office he holds in
trust for the people to the unconsti
tutional fragmentary bodies who
propose to strip him of it. Such Q
proclamation with the army and
navy IN hand to sustain him, would
meet with popular response that wo'd
make an end Of impeachment.
| Mr.. Wilson of Iowa, spoke in ia.
vor of the resolution, declaring the
impeachment of the President, vas
made inevitable by his own deliber
, ate conduct. The President said MI
Wilson, is not a maker Of the law OF
ajudge thereof and it is enough fol
him ia know that the Cnnstitntinn tf
which he is sworn to preserve, pro
tect and defend, says that he shall
take care that the laws shall be faith
fully executed. If his conscience
forbid, he may resign; but he has ne
{ right to retain the power of a public
Office, and subordinate that power II
the judgement of a mere individual
u Whatever doubts may have arisen il
j other cases, the question involved II
this one presents no basis on which
to rest doubt but that the Prcsi
dentshas violated q penal statute o
the q. S., and thereby committed /
high crime and misdemeanor.
i Mr.. Wilson proceeded to argue thai
a desire on the part Of the President
to test the constitutionality of tn.
Tenure OF Office act, would not JUST
| fy the commission Of high crime ant
misdemeanor, declaring that the pub
lie welfare requires that all official.
shall be solemnly taught that The
law of this land is no respector O
persons.
| Woodbridge sustained theimpeach
ment, declaring that in no other way
could the majesty of the law and thu
future safety ofthe republic be main
tanned. In case of a revolt, he sale
ten thousand swords would leap from
their scabbords, and million bayo
nets glisten in the sunshine, to pre-
serve the honor of the old flag.
Mr. Wood argued against impeach,
ment. He contended that The
grounds on which they sought to main
tain the resolution were all frivolous
technicalities, utterly unworthy o,
any attempt at reputation. He
argued that the displacement of ths
President, would in effect, be great
| er offense than that attempted BY
the leaders of secession in 1861.
| Mr. Pruyn followed on the same
| side.
i Mr. Poland spoke in favor of reso
| luton. a
/ Dir Stokes and Pike also spoke in
support of impeachment.
1 Mr. Nicholson opposed the resolu
ton, declaring it unconstitutional
and is resorted to for party success
/ Mr.. Miller sustained the resolu
| ton.
| Eldridge addressed the House il
n opposition to the resolution, believ
ing this to be q part of q great or
ganized plan TO get rid of the Exec
utive and to invest Congress with al
powers Of the Government.
| Mr. Judd said his action in votin1
for impeachment had been justified
by his constituents, and he had JUS
| received n dianatoh which ,netyH a.