Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-17
HOW THE PRESIDENT FEELS,
An Interview with the E'restdent-Hfs
Views of the Situation and of Hts
Duties.
Correspondence Of the Boston psf.

q
Correspondence Of the Boston Psst
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE probable
result Of the great impeachment trial is
the universal topic of conversation in
circles Of society and elsewhere, but the
great wonder 80 frequently expressed is,
"How does President johnson feel F? what
does he think Of the chances of eOnyic-
tion or acquittal 2" To crafty this very
natural curiosity or wonder on the part of
The people, your correspondent sought in
formation at the Executive Mansion, where
he was cordially received by the President,
who, with perfect aoneAaLance inquired,
What news to-day; how stands imPeaeh-
ment?" t-...' - ~.
No one could have suspected that the
party who propounded these questions was
himself the party impeached, and then on
| trial for thigh crimes and misdemeanors."
Mr.. johnson has never looked better than
he does to-day, and his fRe a0w of good
huTnor indicates anything bat troubled
mind. After briefly replying to his ques-
lions, your correspondent ventured upon
his work directly and without circumlocu-
tion.
81 wonld be pleased TO learn your views
OF the situation, Mr.. President; what do
you think of impeachment %
The President promptly replied; ooh, l
have never allowed myself to believe or
feel that the American Senate would
prostitute Its great COVER of impeachment
to base party purpose, and | shall not be-
lieve it until ] know the vote Of conviction
has been recorded. Such is my abstract
opinion of the Senate but, whatever their
opinion may be, shall chcerfully bow 10
the authority of the Constitution"
"Rnt, Mr.. President, it was suggested by
Mr.. Bingham in his closing argument that
L was doubtful whether yOu wonld obey
the mandate Of the Senate ff the judgment
be one of conviction"
Mr.. Johnson's face flushed, and slight
start was perceplbIe as if about springing
TO his feet. Smiles and pleasant looks
were gone, and, with suppressed indigna-
ton, he said: 1.-THE suggestion of Mr..
Bingham was base one, bnt, neyerihe-
less, one in perfect harmony with the
charges and suggestions contained in the
eleven articles of Impeachment. Why
should not obey the mandate of the Sen
ate if all the forms and requirements of
the Constitution are complied with F? If
Senator'S abuse their trust they are not re-
sponsible TO me, but to the people, who
hold the sovereign power. The people |
have placed me in charge of one of the |
great departments of the government |
With all its duties and responsibilities, |
and the same people have placed Senators |
IN another department also, with grave re- |
sponsibilities, and with the power 10 try |
Impeachment, and render judgments there |
on. 1T Senators misuse or abuse the great |
power TINS entrusted to them, it is not for !
the party impeached and convicted to al |
tempt to set aside the Judgment ofthe Sen !
ate. The people alone can settle with |
their agents for their trust Mr.. Bingham |
we'll knows that | have never failed to |
yield cheerful compliance with all the |
requirements of the Constitution. have
endeavored, to the best of my ability, TO |
protect, defend and preserve that great |
chart of our liberties, and | am more than |
willing to surrender my official RESPONSE |
bility whenever called upon so to do ac-
cording to the forms and requirements of
that sacred instrument"
The President spoke with considerable
warmth OF feeling, and added that he had /
every confidence in the honesty and patri- |
olisIn of the great mass OF the people, and |
whatever the Judgment of the Senate might |
be the people would do him justice. He |
felt that his reputation was perfectly safe |
in the hands of posterity. 1t is very evil
dent the President regards the whole inn
parchment proceeding as simply a trial of |
the Constitution, and one in which he feels |
a deep Interest as an American citizen. |
There was no indication, by look or word, |
that he felt any special interest in the result |
on private account. He spoke of the trial
precisely as he would speak Of any other
public matter involving the public interest. |
Gen. Rousseau and several members of |
Congress called and held a lively CONVEX
satiOn, in which Mr.. Nelson, Of the Presi-
dents counsel, participated A number of |
ladies also called and paid their respects.
These last were quite overpowering in their
compliments on the Presidents fine looks |
and good humor.