The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1868-05-01

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But we imagine that after all there was
not much material evidence that was not
brought to the Knowledge of the Senate.
Tbs Presidents counsel wrought this
past # their case with great skill. They
displayed an amount of patience, tact and
ingenuity, rs we'll as of legal knowledge,
that greatly aided their success with the
Senate and when, upon any point, the
decision was adverse to them, they neither
flew into passion about it nor sought by
illegitimate means to secure its reversal
AS consequence they were able to secure
hearing for perhaps all except one of the
important witnesses they could call in the
time allotted to them.
We imagine that not a few of those
who have taken the pains to read the
whole of the testimony offered on both
sides, have had occasion to modify their
opinions as to the basis for the charges
contained in the articles of ippcaebme emit.
We do not lose sight Of the strength of
the party bias possessed by almost every
reader, and we know the difficulty with
which this is affected. We remember all
the things that went to the formation of
a judgment even before the trial was be-
gun, and we know how hard it is to efface
these impressions. But, at the same
time, the evidence as a whole, aud es-
pecially that offered during the last fort
night, has thrown so much light upon
matters concerning which the public had
really little information, that it is not to
be wondered at if things are seen in a
new aspect, and if rcvisal of previous
opinions is found necessary upon many
points
The first ground of surprise to most of
us was at the weakness of the evidence for
the prosecution. We confess we thought
they would be able to bring far better
grounds for their charges. President
johnson is such very impudent man,
and has pursued such a foolish course
during the last two years, that we imagin.
ed it would be easy to fasten upon him
conduct and language that could be con-
strued into plausible proof of the accusa-
tons. But we hardly suppose that many
lawyers or many fair.miudeds persons, viii!
be abba to say that they succeeded in this
In fact, the managers seemed to be so
badly off for anything like tolerable testi.
mony, that they called up witnesses who,
upon the slightest cross-examnation
gave evidence that told strongly against
them.
The uezt ground of surprise to most Of
US has appeared during the last fortnight
in the character of the evidence offered by
the defence. If, after reading it, any one
can credit the charge that the President
entered into a conspiracy with Thomas
or the charge that be sought to use force
in the election of Stanton, or the charge
that be attempted an unlawful control OIL
the public funds, or the charge that he at.
tempted to "demoralize' Gen. Emory, he
must certainly do SO at the expense Of
proofs such as are not often brought to
bear upon matters capable of legal treat.
ment
AS to the other charges, that the Pres
ident, in the removal Of Stanton and the
appointment Of Thomas, violated the
Tenure of Office law and the Constitution
these are questions to be settled rattle,
by argument than by evidence J; and thus
far we have had nothing but the argument
of Judge Curtis, who deliberately defended
the position that Stanton's case did moi
come under the terms of the law alleged
to be violated. We suppose, however
that this matter will be fully dealt with
by both sides in the closing arguments tc
be delivered this week. ..
1t is these arguments from which We
expect to get the true. grounds Of judg'
meut. With the evidence all under re-
view, with the facts all very we'll settled
with the explicit provisions of the Law
and the actual conduct of the Presiden
efore them, there need be no trouble il
arriving at just decision if there il
nothing to interfere with the course o
justice aud its exercise by every Senator
N Y. Times.
HJo,n the " Y Hernh