The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-19
would vote on the case simply Is warranted by the

he would vote ON the case simply a. warranted BY the
testimony.
Msssrs. HOWARD STEWART and JOHNSON endeavored
TO get the door but the Chair recognised
Mr.. Johnson who called upon the Clerk to read some
remarks ne had prepared They were read. being mainly
addressed TO the p,nt Of constitutional qualifications
saying the only Law on the subject additional 10 the
constitution was that requiring oath, though IN bis
Judgment Congress had no power to pass such Law.
He thought that as Mr. Thomas, who admitted to
be q man Of high character, was willing TO take that
OATH that fact was conclusive upon Congress- After the
reading was conclueed Mr.. Johnson added few words
In regard to the charges made against Mr..
Thomas He th,usht Mr. sumner had wholly
inexperienced ths act Of April $780, the subject Of
against the United States, sndlimp posed penalty;
the second defined msprsion Of treason knowledge
NJ Thomas within hs ana TO nrovs
that when the son left he had committed the crime Of
reason and that Senator had he been called upon to
frame an indictment, would have been obliged TO set
out that that son had committed treason by svying
before he left his fathers house. Mr. Johnson went
10 defend the conduct OF Mr. Thomas in that connsc
ZION. II Mr. Thomas ever had been secessionist 1t
unkn0wn TO him Mr. Johnsnnh and he did not be-
eve it, He quo.sd the sons testimony to rebut the
vancsd by Mr.. Thomas to dissuads his son from
gong that his state had not seeded and to show
that ne had told him he should not go because would
be fighting against his government Certainly no evil
deuce could be shown that Thomas while in the Cabinet
participated in the conspiracy he had discharged every
obligation resting upon him; NO intimacy had existed
between him and Cobb, whom he succeeded and his
subsequent conduct we'd his motives accepting the
Office To shake the public credit al that time would
have been to destroy the Union and his first act was,
on learning that there funds to meet the obga
tons maturing on January l. 10 write to MIR. Cisco, As
sslant Treasurer inqurng whether he could not use
certain funds for the purpose OF saving the national
honor. Mr.. johnson then referred to Mr.. Thomas
ized by Congress, and his readiness accepting the
forthcoming propositions, and thereby meeting those
obi atoms January /. Was that the conduct OF
disoyal man Afterwards men from New York, after
negotiating . part OF that loan, went TO President
Buchanan and expressed want OF confidence in MI
Thomas In consequence OF doubt his integrity
Mr.. Thomas resigned-an oct for which he honored
rather than censured him. Mr. johnson discussed the
letter of resignation hold ng Mr. Thomas disagree
ment from the Presidents act in collecting revenue on
shipooard was justilabe In the time OF Jackson IL
was not thought that such power existed when the
notification doctrine OF South Carolina gave rise to the
question: and special leg sati0n found necessary.
The same held when the question presented
itself 10 tho administration OF President Lincoln II was
therefore, unjust to mako any such charge against
Ar. Thomas on that ground. In regard 10 other
advanced for his resignation Mr. Johnson said no
war then existed Inc mbecty OF Buchanan, ho"ever,
had permitted the rebels 10 gird sumter with crc'e oil
fire and the small but glorious garrison in danger
of starving; yet Buchanan had agreed with the South
Carona Commissioners that effort should be made TO
reinf0ree IT, Afterwards 1t was concluded to reinforce
and provision the fort by the Star OF the West General
Scott and other loyal men opposed the proposition as
certain 10 result In falnre she beng an unarmed
wooden Mr.. johnson connected the language
OF Mr. Thomas In dsagreeiog with tho policy OF
buchanan towards South Carolina with the proposition
being based on hoping that the ehuson OF blood
might Otherwise be prevented. The road 10 COmpro-
mise was still open and dear 10 the heart OF evory
American cltlz n. What, tnen, did thomas doP He
to his home and hal since done said
word To encourage the rebellion. He OF ear
psstness and hrmness AMI would doubtless, sympa
thziDg with the rebellion have taken prominent nand
in its favor Instead OF that he had s,ad at his post and
negotiated loan Tor the government Hs quoted from
letter from Mr. Thomas while Secretary tie Trea
sury recommending that the of CoSeter, who had
rendered the resignation Of his commission as Com
mander of cutter stationed al Charleston be
from the rolls refusing receive
ton, and cassed II with the act of his successor, Gene
raj DIX, ia directing IF any man haul doSn tho An
ercan flag, Shoot him on tho spot" Abiding To The
charge That war sed az the time Of his Resignation,
he referred 10 the convention called by Virginia IN
February, 1884, and participated III 10y twenty-five
States adjournng FebraarJ u, which had expressed
strong hopes that the contingency OF might be
averted He referred also TO The declaration OF
neutrality by Kentucky, after the proclamation of
Lincoln OF Aprii, 1861, which declaration was
signed by Guthrie and Attorney General Speed loyal
ng the loyal and adured Senators, to deal wth Mr.
Thomas as they had dealt win them In reply to mpu-
tations upon the republican form Oh government o.
Maryland by Mr. Morrill,, Of Name, in the of toe
debate said hundreds thousands trere
States believed no doubt sincerely IN States right 10
secede, although that he ieyed they had been in
Thousands of them in tho armies OF the UNI
bad proved themselves III SUCCESSORS OF thos, Who III
1884, Ia the battle OF (oApens, by brilliant charge
upon the enemy, snatched victory from defeat aad
turned the fortunes OF the day, achieving historical and
deathsss famo for the Maryland line and lis noOlt
leaders
Mr. STEWART, lrep.l OF Nevada replying TO Mr.
Trumbul admitted that he had agreed 10 report
and claimed that ihose who agreed to could b.
charged with inconsistency for taxing tbs senate tn
same view they bad taken in the committee. He the
proceeded 10 contend that was evident from the fac
shown that Mr.. Thomas had always been II sympathy
with the enemies OF tho government and history
them TO beware Of admitting such men to share 10 hS
government.
Mr. CONFESS. trep) Of CAL Moved at twenty minutes
after four O'Clock 10 go into executive session, saying
evident vote would 10 reached to-nigns,
raj sen it0rs desired 10 speak.
Mr. SHERMAN, trep.) OF Ohio, said that probably on
such question the Senate would sit until O'Clock
before vote reached at all events he hoped they
would go on.
Mr. ANTHONY, trep) Of r. J., advocated going into
executive session
A motion tO adjourn wac lost
The mott IN OF Mr.. CONFESS was los.--12 to 25
Mr. HOWE, lrep.) OF Wis, said he was much dig
posed TO speak A. any neutrality-suspicious. did no.
10 do SO II vote we're possible tonight He would
not answer for what he might do Tomorrow daughter
After further discussion relative to tho proprety OF
debate, after the formal understanding that Mr. John
should it, motion OF Mr. Fessendsn, at AZ
O'Clock, the Senate adjourned.