Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-05-01
impeachment.

Within o week or ten days we shall nave
decision on the impeachment case now
pending in the United States Senate. The
counsel for the President and the Mana
gers on the part Of the House of Repre-
sentatives are summing up, and will COM
plete their speeches this week or during
the early days of the next If we could
bring ourselves to believe that the Senate
could render Judgment in strict accord
ance with the evidence and the facts, there
would be nothing to fear, and the country
would be undisturbed by the trial. But
we have seen so many bitter partizan exhi-
billions by the Senate before and during
this trial that we have little to hope for
from their deliberate judgments and much
to fear from their vindictive partizanship.
Already the very strongest evidence for the
defence has been ruled out, while the
widest latitude in this respect has been ex-
tended to the Managers.
Then, too, when we read of the terrible
pressure which is brought to bear upon
Senators individually gives little to hope
hearing. The press also lends its aid to
give courage to doubtful and hesitating
Senators. The keen lash of party is held
over them, and threats Of political anathe-
mas are sounded into their ears. The
whole case has been made to assume a
party complexion, and Senators who put
aside the partizan, while acting as the judge,
are to be treated as political renegades.
Says the st. Louis Democrat, the leading
organ of Radicalism in Missouri
Of the result, we have been disposed to judge
rather from the nature of the case than from the
rumors 30 continually set afoat by excited people
at Washington. In that city men are apt to be
over credulous and over suspicious. 1t Is true
the votes of some Republican Senators have
seemed to favor delay to degree almost 1nexpll-
cable. But when the main question comes-when
they are called upon to say whether Andrew
J ohnson, upon the charges preferred, ought or
prepared to believe that any Republican acM de-
liberdtely commit political suicide by Uoting
AGAINST his removal. That law has been violated,
defantly and wilfully, no Republican will dare to
DENY before his constituents. That Andrew john
son is both disgrace and peril to the country
the people fully realize. That he richly deserves
removal every Sena'or OF either party must feel
The Republican eoho uotes 10Th the Democrats to
defend and dcqui such President can expect oery
little sympathy from his Republican constituents,
and if he looks to the Democrats for support, the
aodrn him. In short, the case is so plain, and
the feeling of the people in regard to it strong,
that we do not believe that Republican Senators
can be cajoled. bought, or frightened into a vote
of acquittal Upon some of the charges, indeed,
there may be doubt. But upon the main ques-
ton the Senate cannot acquit without declaring
that law for which more than two-thirds of the
Senators have voted is unconstitutional, and that
any President has the right to defy and violate
any law upon pretence that he wishes t. test it
in the courts.
In this view of the case, Senators who
regard their fealty to party as superior to
their obligations to support the Constitu-
ton, and alas, there are too many who act
so at least, must vote to find President
JOHNSON guilty of "high crimes and mis-
demeanors." He has grievously sinned
against the leaders of the party that elected
him-he has upheld the Constitution wher
it became necessary for them to work
&" outside" of that sacred instrument-he
has obeyed the laws when party interests
demanded that they should be ignored
and it seems that he must pay the penalty
for these crimes against party organization
and partizan success.
While these political questions are being
settled the country looks on with fear ani
trembling, and every civilized nation is
amazed at our degeneracy, calmly pre-
dieting the end of American liberty and {
bloody finale to republican government
The North, appalled, by the danger OF tn