Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-05-08
THE PEOPLE ON IMPEACHMENT.

4 l. n .
The Republican party, who form an over
whelming majority of the American people,
and upon whom rests the responsibility Of
the Nationaland nearly all the State Govern
ments, are a unit for convicting Andrew
johnson and removing him from the posi-
ton he disgraces. The Republican press
and all the Republican Conventions held
since the impeachment of the President
have sustained enthusiastically the action
of the House In Now York, New Hamp-
shire, Connecticut, and Michigan the Con
Yentions had been held before the attempt
ed removal of Mr. Stanton. From these
there could be no expression of the senti-
mcnts of the majority ofthe people through
their party organizations But such of the
States as have held conventions since the
President was impeached and during his
trial-Pennsylvauia, Ohio, Wisconsin, and
others-haye sustained and ratified the ac-
ton of Congress with their might
The Presidents order of removal against
Stanton was issued on the 2lst Of February,
aud on the 24th he was impeached by the
House. On the 10Th the Republicans of
Wisconsin held their State Convention, and
in their resolutions thanked Congress for
the action which had been taken, and, while
deploring the necessity, declared that the
vital interests Of the Republic required that
the wanton acts of johnson should be ended
By his trial On the day following the ac-
ton of the House, the Maine Legislature,
in a joint resolution of both houses, sane
toned the measures which Congress had
adopted. and sustained the course of the
members from that State. On the same
day like resolution was introduced into
the Pennsylvania Legislature, and the As
sembly Of California followed on the next
day.
The Ohio Convention, held on the 4th
of March, followed the example set by the
people of Wisconsin. Their resolutions de-
clared that "the chief obstruction to the
pacifcation of the country has been the
persistent opposition of Andrew johnson
and that they approve and applaud the ac-
ton of the House Of Representatives in the
exercise Of its high constitutional preroga-
tive by his impeachment for high crimes
and misdemeanors. On the llth, the
Pennsylvania Convention called upon the
Senate, sitting as Court of impeachment
to proceed without fear, favor, or atfec-
ton, and declared that ''the people of that
State would stand by and maintain the Just
Judgment of the law" Massachusetts ad-
ded her voice of approval, in convention
held on the 18th, and Michigan, New-Jer
sey, and Nermont all met in convention on
the 18th, and were equally outspokeu
Maryland, on the 9th of March, took SINH
lar action. The Georgia Convention, on
the 9th, as well as the Reconstruction Con
ventions of nearly or quite all the Southern
States, arrayed themselves on the same side.
Thus, within month after the attempted
usurpation of the President, the Conyen-
tons and Legislatures of majority Of the
States have iDdorsed the impeachment of
the President in terms and under circum-
stances that imply in every instance their
/ expectation OF his conviction and removal,
and their sanction in advance Of the justice
and necessity of the verdict.
! Many other bodies, representing the
/ popular viii in degree only less than the
4 State Legislatures and Conventions, have
been equally emphati0in support of Con-
! gress. Their action strengthens the evi-
/ dences that the majority Of the people are
unit in the performance of this painful but
manifest duty. The Republican General
Committee of this city, the Union League
/ Club, and the State Union League of New
Jersey, were among the first, but only
among the first, toexpress their approval.
Other organizations were unreservedly out
spoken. In every vilA&sA where those who
upheld the Union aud Its armies in their
j struggle with the Rebellion were organized,
a IN ek, r
the people s representatives promptiv, and
without pausing 70 ask what course others
would pursue. The voice Of the people de-
manded that Andrew johnson should have
tair trial. but that he should no longer
with lmpunity violate the laws. But of an