New-York tribune., 1868-03-31

TELEGRAPH rRiBusE
wAsHISGroS, Monday March 80. 1868.
To MAJ. Gen. Benjamin +. Butler of Massachusetts,
belongs the honor of having presented the opening
argument in the greatest constitutional State trial of
modern or ancient history. To-day at ten minutes
before o'clock tho General entered upon his great
task. The Chief-Justice of the United States and
fty-three Senators formed the court and jury. One
hundred and ninety-fvo Representatives and Dele
gates about 600 citizens and the representatives of
the principal nations of the world composed the
audience. The scenes were not unlike those Of the
preceding days since the formation of the Court The
Senate met at IL o'clock and went on with the usual
routine business Of legislation until 12i O'Clock, at
which hour the President pro. TEN. OF the
Senate declared the chair vacated for the Chief
Justice Of the United States. That official, clad in
the slken gown of his Office entered at about the
samo time, escorted by Mr.. Pomeroy and assembled
the steps to the presiding officers desk few raps
with the gavel brought the Court to order aud inn
nedately afterward the stereotyped proclamation of
silence made by the Sergeant-at-Arms. Almost
simultaneously the Managers appeared at the main
entrance of the Chamber, leading from the House,
and were announced by one of the officers of the
Court They entered in the following order Messrs.
Bingham and Butler, arm in arm Nessrs. Boutwell,
and Wilson, Logan aud Williams The other Mana
another door, and had taken his seat the Managers
table when his associates arrived. The counsel
for the President then entered by the door on the
right of the Presidents desk leading from the
assigned them TO the Senate Chamber EX-AttOrney-
Gen. Stanbery and Mr.. Eyarts entered first, then
Judges Nelson aud Curtis aud the Hon. Mr.. Groes-
beck. The members of the House Of Representatives
were next introduced, and entered, headed by the
Hon L. b. WashbuTne of Illinois. The members az
they entered deployed both sides of the aisle and
took the chairs which had been prepared for their
accommodation.
Long before the opening hour every seat in the
gallery filed and the spectacle was as brilliant
rs on the former days OF the trial. and for Mt least ~
minutes had waited impaienty for the beginning OF
the proceedings. Among the spectators there were
the daughters of the ChefJustice, Mrs. sprague and
Miss Nette Chase Mira Senator Morgan, Mrs. Senator
Conkling. Miss Stevens, Miss Wilson, Mrs. Frances
Kemblc. Miss Dixon. Col Parker and Gen. Dent Of
Grants staff Judge Pascall Commander Rollins Gen.
Thomas. Col Moore, the Presidents Private Secre-
tary Carl Schurz Mrs. and Miss Blanche Butler Miss
Spinner Mrs and Miss Matthews, Mrs. and Miss Sin
clair Of New York, and nearly all the gentlewomen
known m fashionable life in Washington. The
Foreign Embassies were well represented Minister
Thornton the French and Russian Ministers and other
foreign diplomats attended.
At twenty minutes 20 twelve o'clock the Secretary
OF the Senate began the reading of the Journal All
the Senators were in their accustomed seats The
floor wore q solemn, even gloomy aspect.
Gen. Butler, on whom nearly all eyes were
turned, sat at the table facing the sen-
ators and Representives with his back to Mr.
Williams tho lItho figure of Gen. Stanbery on
the other side was erect and stiff Mr. Evarts bent
over sheet of note paper, on which he writing.
= 4 a,aaI fhoir mana md
paper to take notes, and Mr. GToesbeok inqulrlngly
surveyed the scene before him. Sr. Bingham ner
vously ran his hands through his sparse hair. Mr..
Logan leaned back ia his chair. Mr Stevens seem
ing stronger than usual. clasped his huge walking
stick 10 his almost transparent skeleton hands aud
Mr.; Wilson OF Iowa, wore his usual air Oh deeorum
The ChiefJustice. the central figure in the i'm
posing tableau. was the very mpersonation OF dig
nifty strength, learning and law. When ho entered
all eyes were turned on him. and many expected
that he would make a declaration OF the opinions
which rumor yesterday aud last night ascribed to
him relative to his duties and authority as presiding
officer; but he SAID not word, and the Secretary OF
the Senate began to read the Journal or te ast DAYS
session. This finished at 1880. Mr. Chase, turn
ing to the Managers called on them to begin IN sup
port OF the articles Of impeachment,
Gen. Butler arose. The galleries became hushed
into lreathess silence. Senators and Hepeseuta-
tiyes leaned forward in their seats anxious to hear
every syllable Of his exorlinn. Slowly advancing
sheets in his hands, he bowed first TO the ChiefJustce
and then to the Senate. Slowly, distinctly and In
measur tones. he began: " Mr.. President and gen.
temen Senate: The onerons duty has fallen
to my fo. 4.e to present to you, imperfectly as 4
must the several propositions OF fact and law upon
which the House Of Representatives, will endeavor
10 sustain the of tho people against the tresl.
As ho proceeded his voice, gathered :, vol
and ba rs Es wSI9 hut s sws wsrs
generally clear, and were beard with distinctness
in every part. of the Chamber, lie read his speech
from beginning to end, and this detracted merely
from the thrilling effect which il might otherwise
have had. lie addressed the Senate throughout,
seldom turning 20 the Chair, but for tho most part
reading of written speecb--especialy In Congress,
where written ones on important subjects are not
uncommon--is generally dull, tedious infiiction,
ton; but this one by Mr. Butler to-day was an
exception. Throughout he was eagerly listened
TO- nrs ana nnoS an hhny bs words IN p attention. His
gesture was effective and good; bis pGrsonal
appearance that of the dgnifed gentleman; his
argument close. and TO the point and butt reecho
the general expression even Of his opponents and the
opponents of impeachment, when say that lt was
one Of the best efforts put forth IN the United
States even in the palmiest days OF the oratory OF
the Republic In tho first portion OF his address
when he reached the sentence, You are law unto
yourselves he pronounced u with an emphasis ana
Resticuation which arrested and rlveted the undl-
yided attention of his audience. When he began
that portion bearing on tho New-Orleans nots,
he ground it OUT between bis teeth like the screech-
ing Of hundred saws, comminged with rnmbling
OF an artillery carriage across rugged pavement.
HIS alusion to all our woes coming from our acting
President was enunciated with an exquisite touch OF
mingled pathos aud sarcasm. i throw around him
the mercy of my silence" uttered in q cruelty
severe tone Of cOntemptuous irony
At 255 o'clock Senator Wilson interrupted Mr But
ler to move that the Senate take q recess OF ten
minutes Mr. Butler expressed his thanks to the
senator. The Chief Justice put the question on the
notion and declared it adopted. and the senate took
a recess accordingly. At the conclusion OF the rs.
csss Gen. Butler resumed and continued until $3.50
o'clock, when he closed his powerful argument with
H.. ksr.u af ma
took his seat Mr.. Bingham stretched his arm across
the whole length of the table and warmly Tasped his