New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-02-25


hood is of no moro public importance than II tho
dispute had occurred between two obscure individuals
If Andrew johnson tells the truth then he is guilty OF
high official misdemeanor, for he shows his attempt to
prevent the execution of the laws II the General Com
mandng tells the truth then the President is guilty Of
high misdemeanor, for Gen. Grant declares the same
thing Of the President denying only his own completely
No argument can make this point palmer than the state
ment Of the cuprt If he and the General told the
truth then he committed wifulpeIury by refusing to
take that the laws should be duly executed To
show the animus and guilty knowledge with which this
law was violated have only turn the proceedings
OF the Senate warning him Of his Illegal and void conduct
and then to consider that he has since perseyered in at
tempting to enforce hislega acts. Indeed show his
utter disregard of the laws Of his country have only
TO turn to his last annual message in which he pro-
claimed to the public that the laws Of Congress
were unconstitutional, and not binding the people
Who after that say that such man is ut 70 occupy
the Executive Chair whose duty 1t ia TO vndieate obed
ence to and see that those very laws are faithfully
obeyed Them the great beauty OF the remedial and pre-
ventiye process is clearly demonstrated He duh and
blind who cannot see its necessity and the beneficial re-
suits and purposes of the trial by impeachment BY the
sixth section OF the act alluded to- 1t provided that all
removals. appointments or employments, made or exer
csed contrary to the provisiOnsof this act or the making
sealing cOuntersgning issuing OF any commission OF
letter Of authority for In respect to any such appoint
ment employment shall be deemed, and are hereby de
cared to be high msdemeanors, and upon trial and con-
viction thereof the person offending shall be
punished by fine not exceeding $4,000, OF
by Imprisonment not exceeding Ave years.
or BOTH said punishment in tho discretion of the Court
Now I'm defiance Of this law, Andrew johnson, on the
2st day Of February 1863 Issued his commssionay let
ter OF authority to Lorenzo Thomas, appointing him
Secretary OF War ad Interim and commanding him to
take possession Of the Department Of War, and to eject
the incumbent T. NJ Stanton then in lawful possession
Of said Office Here If this act stood alone, would be On
undenable official misdemeanor not only misdemeanor
per Sc but declared by the act ITSELF and the Of
fender made indctable and punishable in criminal po
coedlng II Andrew Johnson escapes with bare removal
from office If he be not fined AID incarcerated in the
Penentiary afterward under criminal proceedings he
may thank the weakness cemency Of Congress, and
not his own innocence We shall propose TO prove on the
trial that Andrewi johnson Etcds gully Of nlisprson
/ Of bribery by Offering 10 Gen. Grant II he
| ic0uld unite Wih hin, IN his tdlciess: violence,
10 assume IN his stead the penalties aud TO endure the i'm
pfsonment prescribed ty he laps Bribery Is one OF tho
onenses specifically enumerated fonwhch the President
may be impeached and removed from Office BY the Con-
stitution, Article O. Section o. the President has power to
nominate and, by and with the advice and consent OF
the Senate to appoint all officers Of the United States,
whose appointments are not therein otherwise
provided for, and which shall be established
| by law and to I'LL up oil vacancies
that may happen during the recess OF the Senate
by granting commissions which shall expire at the end Of
their next session. Nowhere, either in the Constitution,
or by statute has tho President power to create a
vacancy during the session Of the Senate and I'LL t with
out the advice and OF the Senate and yet on the
st day of February 1863 while the Senate was In ses-
son he gave notice the head Of the War Department
| that ne had been removed from Office, and that
his successor al hri, had been appointed. Hero Is
plain recorded violation Of the Constitution,
nd Iau yvifc etO
honest and intelligent give his vote for impeach-
ment The President had persevered in his awess course
through long series Of unjusabe acts. When the so
called Confederate States Of America conquered,
and had down their arms and surrendered their ter
ntory the victorious Union the government and final
disposition OF the conquered country belonged to Con-
ress alone according every principle Of the law Of
nations. Neither the Executive the Judiciary had
any right to interfere with IL, except so
far as was necessary TO control 1t by
military rule until the sovereign power OF the nation
had provided its civil administration No power but Con-
gess had any right to say whether ever or when they
should be admitted to the Union States and entitled TO
tho privileges OF the Constitution Of the United States
and yet Andrew johnson, with unbushinR hardwood UNI
dertook rule them by his power alone TO lead
them into full communion with the Union direct them
what governments 90 enact and what constitutions
TO adopt and to send Representatives TO Congress accord
ing to his instructions. When admonshed by express
act OF Congress- than repeated he dsregarded
the warning and continued his awess assumption. He
Is since known TO have obstructed the reestabshment Of
Governments by the authority OF Congress and has
arised me Inhabitants 10 resist ne legislation Of Congress
my Judgment his conduct with regard TO that transac
ton was hgh-handed usurpation Of power which
Ions ago ought have brought him 20 impeachment and
trial and to have removed him from his position OF great
mischief He has been lucky in thus far escaping
through false logic and false law but his then acts which
will the trial be shown to be atrocous are open ecdee
oChiS wicked determination 10 Subrei he fhsoOtry.
trust that when we come vote upon this question
shall remember that although tits the duty OF the Pres
see that the laws be executed the sovereign power
OF the nation Congress- who have been placed
around the Executive muniments to defend his rights
and as watchmen 10 enforce his obedience to the laws
and the Constitution. His oath is 10 obey he Constitution
aud oar duty is 10 compel him 10 do f-al tremendous
obligation, heavier than was ever assumed by mortal
rulers. We are TO protect or TO destroy the
liberty and happiness Of mighty people. and
to take care that they progress in civilization and
defend themselves against every kind Of tyranny As
we deal with the first great political malefactor 80 VIII
be the result OF efforts TO perpeuate the happiness
and good government OF the human race. The God Of
our fathers who inspired them with the thought OF uni
versa freedom VIII hold responsible for the noble In
situations which they projected and expected us to carry
out This be the temporary triumph OF politi-
cal party but Is to endure in its consequence until this
whole continent shall be filed with Free untrammeed
people, or shall be nest OF shrinking cowardly slaves
Tho reading OF the speech concluded AT two min
utes before O'clock The House then proceeded. amid
tremendous but suppressed excitement 10 vote on the
resolution, follows:
Pcsoired That Andfep Johnson, President Of he Uiled
States be inpeaehed Of high crimes aud isdemednors
During the vote made for the absence OF
Messrs Robinson Dem, N ", Benjamin Rep., MOI,
washbume Rep, Illl, Williams (Rep, Indl Van Horn
Rep MOI, Trimble ep, Tenn.l Pomeroy rep, N. ~,
Donnelly (Rep, Mimi, Koontz rep. Pa) Maynard
Rep. Tenn, and shelabarger rep, Ohio.
The SPEAKER could not consent that his constituents
should be silent so grave OCCASION and therefore,
as a member OF the House, he voted Yea.
The vote resulted-Yeas l26; Nays, ~, as follows