The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1868-04-02

NaOaeou Wltulu u CeItuln blmo al
Offices pertaining to the collection
of revenue. Here was a tenure O.
office act, reported by one of tht
greatest minds of the country. Il
did rot seem to occur to Congress
then thatit had not power to regu,
late appointments to and removals
from office.
Mr.. B. cited further acts of Con.
gress in support of his position
and after sitting the events of Feb.
ruary, the removal of Stanton, the
appointment of Thomas, tho inter.
view with Gen. Emory. etc, con.
cluded his argument as follows:
Who docs not know that from
the hour the President began his
usurpations ofpower he everywhere
denounced Congress, the legality
and consititutionality of its acts,
and defied its Legitimate powers; and
Tor that purpose announced his in.
tention and carried outhis purpose,
as far as he was able, Of removing
every true man from Office who
sustained the Congress of the U.
States, and il is TO carry out this
plan of action that he claims the
unlimited power Of removal, for the
illegal exercise OF which he stands
before you this day. Who does
not know that in pursuance of the
same plan he used his veto power
indiscriminately to prevent the
passage of wholesome laws enacted
for the pacification ofthe country,
and when tho laws were passed by
the constitutional. majority over
bis vetoes, he made the most de-
trimmed opposition, both open and
covert, to them; and for the pur-
pose of making that opposition ef.
fectual, he cndeavored to array,
and did array all the people lately
in rebellion TO set themselves
against Congress and against the
trueand loyal men, their neighbors,
SO that murders, assassinations and
massacres were rife all over the
Southern. States, which he on,
couraged by his refusal to consent
that single murderer bo punish
ed, though thousands of good men
have been slain; and further, that
he attempted by military order to
prevent the execution of acts of
Congress BY tho military command
crs who were charged Herewith
These and his concurrent acts show
conclusively that his attempt to
got control of the military Of the
Government by the seizing OF the
Department of War was done in
pursuance Of his general design II
II were possible to overthrow tho
constitution of tho United States.
and he now claims by his own will,
for the execution OF this very de-
sign every officer of the army and
navy, civil and diplomatic service
of the United States. IIo asks you
here, Senator'S, by your solemn ad
Indication, TO confirm him in that
right-to invest him with that
powor to be used with the intests
and for the purposes which he has
already showed. The responsible.
'ity is with you, the safeguards Of
the constitution against usurpation
are in your hands; tho interests and
hopes oftreo institutions wait upon
your decision. The House of Re.
prescntativos has done its duty
We have presented the facts in
constitutional manner. We have
brought the criminal to your bar,
and demand Judgment at your
hands, for his so great crimes.
Never again, ifAndrcw Johnson 90,
quiet and free this day, can the
people of this or any other country,
by constitutional checks and
guards, stay the usurpations OF ex-
ecutive power. speak, therefore,
not language of exaggeration, but
the words Of truth and soberness
in saying that future political wei
fare and liberties of all men hang
trembling in tho decision OF the
hour.
After brief remarks by Mr.. Bing.
ham. Mr.. Wilson offered in cvi
dence certified copies of tho oath OF
office of President Johnson, Of the
appointment of Secretary Stanton
by President Lincoln, and OF the
ratification Of said nomination, al.
so OF President Johnson's 8 commun.
ication to the Senate assigning his
reasons for the suspension Of the
Secretary of War, after which the
Court adjourned till 12 o'clock to.
morrow, and the Chief Jastice then
vacated the chair.