The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-05-28
We're They Bribed {!

We know how prone the human intel
lect is to charge unexpecte~i md distaste-
full action, in those from w..om we differ,
to corrupt Influences and we know how
utterly worthless most of the stories
which charge this man or that, hereto
fore honorable and pure, with being bot
with price, usually are. But this gen.
eral truth ought not to deter any who may
desire it from an examination into the
correctness of the reports which affect the
character of those who have disappointed
the expectations of the country in the
impeachment trial. Rumor is busy with
the names that have been synonym for
purity itself In connection with them
assertions are made with confidence
which, if proved, would condemn the
guilty to everlasting infamy among man
kind. 1t is due to the men accused, no
less than to the public, that these allega-
lions should be sitted by a competent trl-
bunal And though We have doubts OF
the efficiency of the tribunal which the
House has set up for examination into
the action of the Senate and of Senators
we hope no mistakes or mlscarrlages
In the beginning will prevent the action
which the Senate itself ought to take to
clear itself of the leprosy OF " lch 1t is
accused. If Mr. Fessenden, Mr.. Trum-
bull, Mr. Ross or any other ma whose
name scandal has been and is yet busy,
has sold his vote to the betrayer OF his
party and his country so that he could
play the usurper without fear, 1t is I'M
portant the people should be informed
of the fact, that they may take such ac-
ton as they choose. LII the rumors are
scanGalous merely and have no basis
other than the usal gossip OF Washing
ton, which is a hot bed of lies and liars,
the fact should be shown to renew
the confidence of the country In those
who have SO large an influence on Its
destiny. In any event it is necessary that
an inquiry should be made; and as That
| instituted by The House Is scarcely sui
| fcient to unearth that which the country
/ ought to know, we trust the Senate Itself
will not be slow to empower a special
| committee of undoubted friends of I'M
parchment, to examine into truth OF the
! allegations that are afioat. The Senators
accused ought to be the first to move III
| the matter.
While we have insisted and do still in
| sist the men who vote against lmpeach-
! nent from pure and honest motives shall
| not be made the target OF seuseess par
tisan denunciation, we shall be the last
| 10 defend the course Of the pltlfui cabal
who, there the gravcst reason to be
leive, sold their principles and their coun-
try either for the sake of some present
| gain or for some hoped-for good. En-
ough has come to our knowledge to war
rant to the conviction that Fowler, Ross,
| and Henderson voted In favor OF the ac-
auittal in the face of the fact that their
convictions. openly and frequently avow-
ed. were at war with their votes. The
sentiments of Fowler have been printed
in these columns Those of Ross, &C
! panied bg his soien, promise We're laid be-
! fore his colleague aud a committee of Sen
ators the evening before he sold himself
to the devil And the written opinion OF
Wrinkle IN favor of conviction was
read by several Senators days before he
voted for acqiutal How utterly lost to
shame and decency, how pitlfully degra-
ded beneath the contempt OF mankind
these men have proved themselves, 1t
needs no words to show. But while their
sin is heavy, their punishment will be
terrible. We ask no more awful fate
for any man than that his name should &c
down 10 posterity by the side OF that OF
Andrew johnson, of Tennessee And
such is the destiny of the knaves and
fools who have sold themselves to perdl,
ton for money or promotions ! Chicago
Post.