Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-04-14


many whether this effort of Judge Curtis will
have any effect upon Senators who had pre-
viously determined to convict. Only last
evening Senator Van Wrinkle declared in
conversation that he could see no reason
why the President should not be removed,
as it could now be done without danger of
violence from the President himself OF from
the Ku Klux Khan. This Mr. Piekwick of
the Senate had on previous. occasion ex-
pressed his apprehensions in this particular,
but no one supposed he was favorable to thia,
conspiracy against the President, and his
vote had been counted among those opposed
to conviction.
It impossible for any. one to understand
and realize the difference between the mana
gers on the part of the House., headed by
Ben. Butler, and the counsel for the Presi-
dent who does not witness the proceedings
in the senate. The speech of Curtis having
closed, General Lorenzo Thomas was called
as the first witness on the part of the defence;
and let it be remarked just here, that the
General is not only gentleman of the old
school, but is a splendid looking officer. He
appeared in full uniform, and lady near US
exclaimed, Isn't he handsome !" All eyes
in the ladies gallery were upon him. Rarely
has a witness been placed upon the stand un-
one conducted himself with more GOODNESS
and self possession. He spoke rapidly, too
much so for the reporters, but in clear ring
ing tones, and his answers were direct and to
the point. Butler cross examined, and yet
with all the impudence and vulgarity he
could bring to bear, he utterly failed to con-
fuse or embarass him in the least
During the examination Of General Thorn
as the managers objected to allowing the
witness to explain how far he had been in
structed by the President to use force, threats
or intimidation towards Stanton. This, it
will be remembered, is one of the leading
charges against the President, which the
managers have attempted to prove by giving
in evidence General Thomas declarations,
and yet they were unwilling for Gen. Thorn
as to explain his own declarations and say
how far they had been authorized by the
President The question was referred to the
Senate, and ten Senators, whose names must
become by-words of scorn, voted to sustain
the infamous proposition. Hand them around:
Cameron, Chandler, Conness, Cragin, Drake,
Harlan, Howard, Nye, Ramsey and Thayer,
have openly declared that they stand ready
to convict the President without allowing him
to be heard. When Summers name was
called, and lie refused to record it on such
a roll of infamy, there was a decided sensa-
ton throughout the Chamber. How must.
these ten Senators regard themselves, when
even Charles Sumner declines sinking to
their level The vote was sumner to the
managers, who had deliberately argued the
question.
The gravity of the proceedings was broken
by that portion of General Thomas testimony
referring to his interview with Stanton in
the War Department on the 22d February,
when the Congressional Directory had assem-
bled to witness the f0rcible custer of the War
Minister. The testimony at this point brought
the Elrcial proceedings of these honorable
Congressman to very proper climax. They
had testified to the gathering of their clan at
an early hour in support of Stanton-that
they had watched for the enemy's approach
that with pencil in hand they had carefully
noted his every word, even to his "good
morning, Mr.. Stanton and now the after,
or by-play is given US by General Thomas
While in General Shriver's room, and after
his Congressional guard had left him, Stan
ton threw his arm around the General, run
his fingers through his hair in the most IA
miliar manner, and called upon General Shri-
yer to set ont his decanter that he and Thorn
as might take drink together. Finding that
Shriver had but spoonful of whiskey, which
bottle, which was uncorked, with drinks all
round-members of Congress excepted Base
ingratitude But what will the civilized
world say? Il.
On Saturday the trial was continued. We
give the following summary of the proceed
ings:-
At II NJ. the President pro tcm vacated
the chair, and the Chief Justice took his seat
The proceedings of the impeachment trial
were resumed. Mr.. Manager Bingham, on
the part of the managers, asked for modii-
cation of the twenty. first rule, so as to allow
such of the managers and counsel for the
President as so desire, to speak subject to the
provision that the final argument shall be
opened and closed on the part of the House.
The motion was objected to and laid over
General Thomas was recalled and made num-
Der of corrections in his testimony as given
on Friday; and also in the report of his tests
mony before the impeachment Committee
Lieutenant General Sherman was then sworn
and examined. General Sherman stated that
while in Washington on business during last
December he had several interviews with the
President, two of which were in company
with General Grant. Mr.. Stanbery then
asked, "Did the President ask you if you
would take charge of the Department of War,
in the event of the removal of Mr.. Stanton 2"
Mr.. Butler objected to this question. The
Chief Justice said that the evidence was ad-
Missile. Senator Conness demanded the
yeas and nays. Mr.. StaDbery said the evidence
Of this witness was of vital importance to the
case for the defence. After considerable
discussion the Chief Justice again stated that
the evidence was admissible and gave briefly
the grounds for his opinion. a vote was
taken, the decision of the Chief Justice was
overruled, and the evidence decided mad
missihle-yeas %, nays %. a number of
questions were asked and in reply the witness
stated that he had been offered the appoint
ment Of Secretary Of War cd inkeri1, by the