Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-04-20
The Impeachment Trial.

Substantially all the testimony on both
sides has been introduced in the trial of
President JOHNSON. A great deal of tes-
timony of the defense was ruled out,
designed to prove that President JOHNSON
did not contemplate wilful and perverse
violation of the Tenure-of- Office bill, but
that, inasmuch as it worked great injury
to the civil service, he was exceedingly
anxious that case should be made up,
whereby the constitutionality of the law
should be quickly passed upon by the
Supreme Court of the United States. This
ruling was at the instance of BUTLER. A
few days ago, the Senate inclined to JUS
tice so far as to admit considerable evil
dence, despite BUFFERS objection, that
clearly exculpated the President from all
crime as charged against him. This pro-
voked the alarm of the Impeachers, and
Republican correspondents and Republi-
can editors commented upon it in strong
terms of reprobation. AS designed, it had
its effect, and on Saturday, notwithstand-
ing the Chief Justice ruled the admissi-
bility of certain testimony of the Cabinet
officers, the Senate responded to BUTLER's
objections by ruling it out, Twenty Sena-
tors voted for its admission.
In quite a number of instances, the Chic f
Justice has been overruled by the Senate,
and testimony considered important for
the President has been ruled out. Never
theless, the trial has shown that nothing
but malice and the most unworthy partisan
considerations have prompted this persecu-
tion of the President. 1t has been dis
closed that, although he may have done
some things awkwardly and at the wrong
time, the President has been animated by
the controlling desire to administer his
duties as President SO that the welfare of
the whole country would be the most
largely benefited; that he acted as though
Impressed with the belief that he was un-
der more obligations to the great mass #
the people than to mere party. This is
what has been proven, Notwithstanding
BUFFERS sharp sold Bailey" practice.
In this connection, it is proper to recol-
lect that Chief Justice CHASE, in protest.
ing to the Senate, when that body were
fixing up rules to govern at this trial, as
the presiding officer of the High Court
OF Impeachment" that he should be con-
suited, the Radical press affected to be
struck with amazement at his audacity !;
and at every step of the trial, wherein JUS
tice and impartiality have required him to
rule the adnlissibility OF certain evidence
offered by the Presidents counsel, they
have commented upon such ruling in a
spirit of vindictiveness and uneharitable-
ness. He was charged with playing for
the Democratic nomination for Presi-
dent. They, in their partisanism, seem
to have overlooked the important fact,
that as Chief Justice of the United States
the highest judicial position in this
country land commissioned by the Consti-
tuition of the United States to preside
at this court-he had duty to perform
and that according as he discharged this
duty he would go down to future genera
tions, though history, honored or execrated.
Had he consented to sit as a mere figure
head; had he concurred in making this
High Court of Impeachment" in its prac-
tical operations, substantially a drum
head Court Martial; in after times he would
have been looked upon as among the mean
est of men. Past well-doing and future
well-doing could not redeem the atrocity
of such conduct. Nothing could be more
absurd than the accusation that the Chief
Justice was prompted to fairness and i'm
partiality by the expectation of securing
the Democratic nomination for the Presi-
dency. The Democracy are not so much
interested in President JOHNSON that they
would pay the Chief Justice the price OF
Presidential nomination if he would use
his position and influence to secure the i'm
partial trial that every consideration of
right and justice demand he should have.
Here is a consideration that should, how
ever, challenge attention. If President
JOHNSON is the guilty wretch he has been
charged with beng; if he has been a
traitor to the Constitution il he has been
a bold and defiant violator of solemn law
If he is SO false that neither God nor man
can put trust in him; whence the necessity
of BUTLER's continuous objection to all
of testimony of the defense? In
cases where the Prosecution have a thor
ough belief in their charges of the notori-
Gus guilt of the accused, they do not fight
testimony with deathlike tenaci-
ty, but allow the defense the largest lati-
tude. 1t is only where the charges of
guilt can be proven, if at all, upon fra il
testimony, that the evidence of the de-
fense is stoutly resisted. Upon this theory
alone can explanation be found for the
pertinacious objections urged to President
JoHNsoN's rebutting evidence.
President JOHNSON, according to the evi-
dence that has been adduced, is guiltless of
the charges preferred against him. And
yet he may be pronounced guilty. 1t is
claimed that party necessity demands his
and it is urged that the Senators
are under obligations to render verdict
with reference to that necessity, and not in
accordance with the law and evidence in
the case. Their oath requires that they
should render verdict in accordance with
the law and the evidence, and not in the
interest of any political party. 1t remains
to be seen how many will be faithful to
this oath.
Abraham Lincoln.
The Philadelphia (Pa.) Age makes point
on the Radicals by calling attention to the
fact, that this year the Radicals have made