The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1868-04-25
Impeachment Trial.

Impeachment Trial.
WASHINGTON. March 3O.-At ~halfpast twelve the
President pro tene, vacated the Chair. which was
immediately taken by the Chief Justice, and the
Sergeantat-Arus made proclamation commanding
silence. The Presidents counsel took seats, and
the House Managers entered.
Butler commenced his speech at q quarter before
one O'Clock. and spoke over three hours. He re-
ferred to the fact that the trial about TO commence
was the most important in the history of our coun-
try, and one that has, perhaps. no parallel in the
history of any other country. He then proceeded
to state the case as it comes before the Senate.
The Senate. he said. was different from other Courts.
1t was a law unto itself, and not subject to the Or
binary rules of Courts, being governed only by the
principles of justice and equity. Butler then pro-
ceeded to quote the history of other impeachment
cases in this country and England, to show the
power of the Court in trying the case. He dwelt
on this at great length. After having stated the
preliminary principles in the case. Butler proceeded
to review the articles of impeachment, and con-
cluded by saying: The safeguards of this Consti-
tuition against usurpation are in your hands the
interests and hopes of free institutions wait upon
your decision. The House of Representatives has
done its duty. We have presented the facts in a
Constitutional manner. We have brought the
criminal to your bar and demand judgment at your
hands for his great crimes. Never again. If Andrew
Johnson shall go acquitted, free this day, can the
people of this or any other country by Constitu-
tional checks and guards stay the usurPation of Ex-
ecutive power. l speak. therefore, not the language
of eXaggeratiOn. but words OF truth and soberneSs.
in saying that the future political welfare and the
liberties of all men hang trembling on the decision
of the Senate.
After the conclusion of Buffers speech, Wilson,
on the part of the Managers, offered in evidence
certified copies of the oath of office of President
Johnson of the appointment of Secretary Stanton
by President Lincoln the ratification of said nom
ination, and the message of Andrew Johnson to
the Senate assigning his reasons for the suspension
of Stanton. After which the Court adjourned till
twelve O'Clock tomorrow.
March 3I.-In the Senate. when the Court open
ed Wilson continued Offering the documentary evil
dence which was commenced Yesterday. 1t irclud-
ed a resolution OF the Senate in Executive session,
in response to the message notifying the Senate of
the removal of Stanton also, the correspondence
on the same subject.
Witnesses then called first were two officers of
the Senate, who testified delivering copies of the
Senate resolutions 10 the President and General
Thomas; next witness was c. ". Creery, clerk in
the Treasury Department. who testified as to differ
ence in the form of commissions used before and
after the passage of the Tenure of Office Act.
In reply to a question, Butler said the Managers
expected to prove. by the difference III the commits
sions used in the Treasury Department before and
after the passage of the Tenure OF Office Act, that