Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-05-08
IMPEACHMENT -ELC CQUENT AND PATRIOTIC
ADDRESS OF Mr.. STANBERY IN DEFENCE
OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES.
WASHINGTON. NAV 2-P.

WASHINGTON, May 2-P. NJ.
Impeachment Court COntinued-Mr. Stanbery
concluded as follows "Now listen, for q mo-
ment, to one who understands Andrew Johnson
better than most of you, for his opportunities
have been greater. When nearly two years ago
he called me from the pursuits Of my profess
sUnal life, to take seat in his Cabinet answered
the csll under sense of public duty. / came
here almost stranger 10 him, and to every mem
Der of the Cabinet, except MIR. Stanton. We had
been friends for many years. Senators. need
tell you that all my tendencies are Conservative
You, Mr.. Chief Justice, who have known me for a
third OF a century, can bear me witness that law,
not arms, is my profession. From the moment
l was honored with seat in the Cabinet of Mr..
Johnson, not step WAS taken that did not como
undor my observation not word was said that
escaped my attention.
I have observed him closely in Cabinet and
still more in private and confidential converse
ton. saw him often tempted with bad advice.
knew that evil counselors were more than once
around him. I observed him with the most in
tense anxiety, but never, in word, in deed, in
thought, or in action, did discover in that man
anything but loyalty to the Constitution and the
laws. He stood as firm as rock against temp
tations to abuse his own powers or to exercise
fast end self-relIent in the midst of all difficulty
When dangers threatened, when temptations
strong, he looked only to the Constitution Of
his country and to the people. Yes, Senators, 1
have seen that man tried as few have been tried.
have seen him endure day after day, privatiens
such as few men have ever been called upon to
meet. No man could have met them with more
| sublime patience. Sooner or later. however, /
knew the explosion must come and when it did
| come my only wonder was that it had been so
long delayed.
Yes, Senators, with all his faults, the President
has been more sinned against than SHINING. Fear
not then, to acquit him. The Constitution OF the
country is safe in his hands from violence as It
was in the hands of Washington. But if, Sena-
tors, you condemn him if you strip him of the
robes of Office; if you degrade him to the utmost
stretch of your power, mark the prophecy-the
strong arm Of the people will be about him they
will find way to raise him from any depths to
which you may consign him, and we
shall live to see bim redeemed, and
to hear the majestic voice Of the people,
"well done, faithful servant, you shall have your
reward" But, if, Senators, as II cannot believe,
but it has been boldly said, with almost official
sanction, your votes have been canvassed and the
doom of the President sealed, then let not that
judgment be pronounced in this Senate Cham
ber-just here, where our Camillus, in the hour of
our greatest peril, single-handed, met and
baff1ed the enemies Of the republic; not here,
where he stood faithful among the faithless not
here, where he fought the good fight for the
Union and the Constitution not in this Chamber,
whose walls echo with that clarion voice that
in the days of our greatest danger carried hope
and comfort to many desponding heart-strong
as army with banners. No, not here. Seek
out rather the darkest and gloomiest cham
Der in the subterranean recesses Of the Capitol,
where the cheerful light of day never enters
there erect the altar and immediate the victim.