Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-03-03
Presidents Message.

The message of the President in reference to
the removal of Stanton and the reasons there
for, concludes as follows:
| have deemed it proper, In vindication of
the course WHICH [ have considered it my duty
to take, to place before the Senate the reasons
upon which have based my action. Although
| have been advised by every member of my
Cabinet that the entire tenure Of office act is
unconstitutional, and therefore void, and al
though L have expressly concurred In that
opinion IN the veto message which | had the
honor to submit to Congress when | returned
the bill for reconsideration, / have RETAINED
from making removal of any officer contrary
to the provision Of the law, and have only ex-
ercised that power in the case Of Mr. Stanton,
which, in my judgment, did not come within
its provisions. [ have endeavored to proceed
with the greatest crcumspection, and have act
ed only in an extreme and exceptional case,
carefully following the course which | have
marked out for myself, as general rule, faith
fully to execute all laws, though passed over my
objections on the score of constitutionaity. In
the present instance [ have appealed, or sought
to appeal, to that final arbiter fixed by the
Constitution for the determination of all such
questions To this course | have been impell.
ed by the solemn Obligations which rest upon
me to sustain inviolate the powers of the high
office committed to my hands. Whatever may
be the consequences merely personal to myself
could not allow them to prevail against a
public duty so clear to my own mind and SO
imperative. If what was possible had been
certain; if | had been fully advised when | re-
moved Mr. Stanton that in thus defending the
trust committed to my hands my own removal
was sure to follow, could not have hesitated
actuated by public considerations of the highest
character, | earnestly protest against the reso-
luton of the Senate which charges me, In what
| have done, with violation of the Constitu-
ton and laws of the United States
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, D. g., February %, 1867
Republican Meeting in Richmond.
On Thursday night last, Republican meet
ing was held in the Capitol in Richmond 1t
was addressed by Gov. Peirpoint, Judge Alex
Rives and Hon. Jno. M. Bolts A letter from
Gen. WINS. c. Wickham was read expressing
desire TO see the Republican party established
on a permanent basis in Virginia. 1t is most
remarkable that any white man of any position
or character should connect himself at this time
with the Radical party of Virginia. The "pa-
triotism' Of such men is like that described by
Sam'l Johnson, when he said that, patriot
ism was the last refuge of scoundrel.' -
The object had in view by this class of men
and the aninaus of their conduct are shown by
the following brief extract Of the reported re-
marks of Bolts:
"On the question of suffrage, he advised the
dlsfranchisement Of every person who had ever
written, spoke, preached or prayed for the
success of the rebellion, and of foreigners who
had left their own country and sworn allegiance
to the Federal Government, and taken advan-
tage of It's protection, and then entered the re-
bellion. He advised the ruling party to ex-
anime into the number of persons disfranchised,
and then into the strength Of their own party,
and unless there was a clear, sure working ma
jority, they must look for other classes to dis
franchise; and if they couldn't find classes,
they must disfranchise Unfortunately.