Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-05-19
The Presidents Aeauittal.

salvation of the country, and the peace and
quiet of its citizens, depended upon the con-
viction of MIR. johnson, and as the "High
Court" has failed TO do this, as consequence,
ali hope of saving the country is at an end
Fortunately, however, this class OF patriots
we're only able to view the situation from one
stand point, and around this hung the im-
penetrable mist Of party prejudice, well spiced
with intense hatred of every body and every
thing that stood in the path of their progress.
We feel no particular sympathy for Mr..
johnson, and SO far as he is. personally con-
cerned, no great qualification at his acquittal,
but we do hail with delight the result, because
it defeats for the time the mad schemes of the
miserable conspirators who would crush the
government to accomplish their own selfish
aims, and who have no regard for the con-
sttution, if it interposes the slightest obstacle
to their success. The exigencies of the times
never demanded Impeachment; it was only
inaugurated because it was believed the
interests of the party in power required it,
The hearts of the people never sanctioned
the movement, because they understood it
to be selfish maneuvre for the retention of
power and an outgush of passion and political
frenzy, totally at war with the prosperity of
the whole country, and likely to lead only to
the most Injurious consequences. Its defeat
will cause no wailing in the land, except from
the bowling dervishes of the radical party,
who will probably discover in it the entering
wedge to their overthrow, and subsequent
dissolution.
We take it for granted that, having made
impeachment party measure, and having
hung their hopes upon its success, for veal or
for vice. the extremists will now read out Of
the political church the seven Senators who
preferred to follow the dictates Of their own
scryicnce to the behests of an impcrious and
interruptions party. Reasoning from these
premises, it is fair to conclude that the party
has weakened instead of strengthened itself
in its attempt to degrade the President. If
such should be the result, the country may
yet have occasion to rejoice that the lash of
YhaddeuS Stevens was potential in driving
the radical party into this nefarious scheme,
which was only Intended as party measure,
to seize the different departments of the gov
ernmeut. 4 careful survey of the whole field
leads to the conclusion that the country has
escaped more than it has actually gained by
the vote of Saturday. Had the extremists
succeeded, their success in obtaining the
ed the leaders for an assault upon the Supreme
Court, and this tribunal would have wilted
beneath the effects of their unconstitutional
legislation. As it is, it is not improbable
that their plans will be SO disconnected, as to
withhold their unhalloHed touch until the
returning reason of TIE people, shall give
strength and vigor to the Conservative leaven
that is left in the government
Pending this trial of the President, the
dignity and majesty of the Supreme Court,
has been we'll sustained by the impartial
conduct and bearing of the chief justice, who
showed himself capabe'of rising above the
mere partisan in his exalted position. When
the history Of this persecution is written, the
name of SALMON 2. CHASE will appear with
out stain.
We give below the proceedings OF the court
in connection with the vote on the 1lth arti-
Gle. The Chief Justice, addressing Senators,
said
Senators-In conformity to the order of
the Senate, the Chief Justice will now pro-
coed 10 take the articles as directed by the
rules.
The 1Ith article was read by the Clerk, as
follows:
ARTICLE XI.
That said Andrew Johnson President of
the United States, unmindful of the high du-
ties OF his Office, and Of his oath of Office, and
ia disregard of the Constitution and laws of
the United States, did, heretofore, to wit, on
the eighteenth day Of August, y. D. eighteen
hundred and sixty six, at the city Of Wash
incton. and the District of Columbia: by pub
Tic speech, declare and affirm, in substance,
that the IA:gty-ninth Congress Of the United
States was not a Congress of the United
States authorized by the Constitution to ex
erc;se lo-islatiYc power under the same, but,
on the contrary, was a Congress of only part
oc the States, thereby denying, and intending
to deny, that the legislation Of said Congress
was valid or obligatory upon him, the said
Andrew obnson, except in so far as he saw
fit ~ approve the same, and also thereby de-
nying, and intending to deny, the power Of
the said Thirty ninth Congress to propose
amendments to the Constitution of the Uni
sd States and, in pursuance of said decla-
ration, the said Andrew Johnson, President
Of the United States, afterward, to wit, on
The tweDty-frst day Of February, A. D.
eighteen hundred and sixty-eight, at the city
of Washington, in the District Of Columbia,
did, unlawlully, and ia disregard of the re.
quiren.eut 5f the Constitution, that he should
lake care that the laws be faithfully execu>
ted, attempt to prevent the execution of an
act cntitled can act regulating the tenure of
certain civil niticcs >, rassed March second