New-York tribune., 1868-05-13

snc esalt are I'm the love OF Justice inherent In the
people, who would not tolerate abuse Of power ana
Almighty God 10 do impartial justice in this
cause. We cannot for any human consideration %
reason WILL no doubt each for himself render his yer
dict upon these charges according to the law and the es
popular influence. This DONE may disregard per
consequences and leave our Judgment ana conduct
In this great historical trial to the test OF uine'
SENATOR WILSON'S SPEECH.
We reproduce, below, Senator Wilson'S speech
in the secret session Monday:
Mr. WILSON-Mr PRESIDENT The past seven years
have been to gentlemen occupying seats in this chamber
years Of pressing duty and trials. In the trying
times through which the nation has passed and Is passing,
has sometimes happened that Senators Of large capacity
ripe experience and eminent public service have widely
differed in the Interpretation Of the Constitution and the
construction Of the laws whenever the high duties I'M
posed upon Senators by the exgences OF the country
have pressed for action and our deliberations have
been distracted by the diverse opinions OF
Senators learned in the law. have striyeD
TO discharge my duty by giving whatever doubts
clouded my Judgment or embarrassed my action TO
patriotism liberty and TO Justice to the security Oh my
country and the rights OF its citizens In gancug back
over these years find few would recall by follow
ing this rule action In this great trial imposed on the
Senate by the Constitution Of country and tho repre-
sentatiyes Of the people, shall give whatever doubts
have arisen 20 perpeX embaass to my county rather
than 10 Its Chief Magistrate, aFragned as volaor
OF the Constitution volaor Of The laws, and yoator
OF his oath tofaithfuy thelaws am not trust
uumndfn OF the gravity OF the Occason Of tho soemnies
Of nv OATH not of the obligation ever resting upon
10 be iust and fear not that the vote shall give
I'm this great trial will be e icised sharply III our age ana
in the age The President Is on trial before the
senate The Senate Is on trial before the present age aud
before the coming ages intend 10 vote Iof tne confc
ton of the President and for his removal from ms hgh
oce and TO the Judgment of the present and Of the fu
ture open my motives aud my acton propose 20 stare
he President OF the United States Tho trainers of the
Constitution well knew the seductive gasPlng ana ag
for ages the contest hnd peeh 10 IeseIe, heSt5,
from the grasp Of executive power and that our seenr
ity was IN watchfulness OF executive power 1Hey
knew that the champions OF human freedom In the OLD
World though often baied, had struggled Tor genera
tOns 60 limit and restrain executive power lhey souSne
10 make the executive power OF the nation useful to the
country bat not dangerous 10 the liberties OF the people
They gave 10 the President short term or olce ana
clothed the representatives Of the people with power 10
eTras him before the Senate not only for high crimes,
but for high msemeanors Jealous power, te trainers
of the Constitution gave the House OF kepresentatesa
body representing the interests the sentiments the Opu
ions OF tle people and their passions TOO, complete
authority TO arragn tho Chei ttate OF tie nasion
before the tribunal OF the Senate They clothed lhe cen
ate Of the United States composed OF gentlemen qee az
liable as the members of the House Of Representatives 70
be Influenced by the interests, the opinions the seht
mens and the passions ef the people with power 70 '
convict aud remove the President not only or inc % g1
mission of high crimes but for high mlsdemeanois hgh
misdemeanors may may not be vloatious oi te laws
behavior in Office detrimental 70 the interests OF sne
nation, dlshonoring TO the Government % ttio
the conviction that the trainers oil the Oonsstu'@Sa @
intended to impose tue high duty upon ihe
House Of Representatives TO arIsgn @ enS
Magistrate for such misOehayor IN once as ehagetev
the nation and 10 impose upon te se1aie Wy uuJ ~ ~
trying, of convicting and removing the Olsh & f
proved guilty of such behavior OeieNlus tS & " ~, 20 ,,o
intention OF the trainers of the Constitution ana s trS
meaning Believing that tse % power ops an the liberties
OF the people impemtlVeiy 9emahu ~, enu OoA, "a
lng Y q, voatiog tIe Constitution and the Tenure-of
Once act and the confessed gnd lusthed acts o @ rIo
President ihat no IL s s sonvcon and removal from
his high Office The President Is charged ny tne ousd %
tie Tpnnrcofonice act in removing Mr.. Stanton from
the office OF secretary OF war, ana III aPOns A'gu
nyoi Of tT Stanton and the appointment Of Adiutant
Gen. Thomas and tho Violation OF lhe lehgIeOlohes
on2 ned m the answer of the President to the charges
of the House Of Representatives The answer oI the
elusive ydenoe OF his guilt From his answer confession
assumptions aud ustihcations have NO hesitation 70
nnt forth by the President in his defense cannot but
starte and alarm alfnen who would maintain tne Iust
don't Inadvertently Violated the Constitution and INC laws
had he plead IN TO vote for his
conviction, but he claims the llght 70 s
ne IN that claim OF power u admitted by vote OF
aeQutal the President can remove during hS ses9 VI
With ther millions of compensation aud appoint
his own creatures 70 I'LL their places Wlthouo
the advice and consent of the Senate, and thus nuy
senate to give its advice and consent to appointments
Not content with this assumption OF power the fIesden
caims the right TO pronounce law ofCongress uheos
tutona 10 refuse to execute It, although ne Is sworn 70
do So and 10 openly violate with view OF testng lls
cousttutonaly In the courts, although no means may
eYs for months or years TO test the CONSTITUTIONS
aty of the law the judicial tribunals OF the country
The President CLAIMS and has exercised the Ign ~ ue
clare Congress unconstitutional Dody henpaspe so ~
enactng laws Of proposing amendments 70 te SoS,
tutlO 10 hold the laws In abeyance 10 reiuso 10
them and deanty violate them 40 9Fder 20 tes se en-
cOnstltutonality These are the pOsuohs assameu "
Andrew johnson. These assumptions cnange tne enar-
ater OF our Government II they ae sustained py YER
dict OF aequta the President ceases 70 be the servant
OF the law and becomes the master OF the people ana
law noiIcxeouting power, iawdeiylhg power,a law.
breakng power created within the government instead
of an Executive bound TO the faithful execution OF the
laws OF Congress The nation has an Executive bound
only 10 execute according 10 ms own caprlces,
whIms and sovereign pleasure Never can assent by o
Vofe OF acuulttal TO executive assumptions
constitutional, so subverslve OF the Government,
40 revolutionary IN their scope and tendency.
Criminal acts raise the presumption Of wrongmOtives,
Intentions and purposes. The Presidents acts, claims
and assumptions. made against the weknown protests
OF vast asses OF the people the organs Of public opinion
tho Congress OF the United States aud the laws OF the
land afford ample evidence that his motives intentions
and purposes were unworthy IN not criminal We are
sworn give this arraigned President trial as impair
tal the lot Of humanity viii permit but cannot
close eyes 70 the records Of tho past three
years can we wholly shut out from ali Influenced