New-York tribune., 1868-05-18
THE IMPEACHMENT.
Cor,iuued from First Page,


OF the president made August H. 1855, disposed Of by
what has been said the tenth article.
The only proof 10 sustain the allegation of unlawfuly
attempting to devise to prevent Edwin NJ stanton
from Tesuming the Office of Secretary OF war IS 70 be
found letter from the President 10 Gen. Grant, dated
February TO- 1863 written long after Mr. Stanton had been
restored This letter. referring to controversy between
munications, oral and written, which had passed
between them, shows that 1t was the dIesi-
in stantons suspension compel him to resort 10 the
courts to regain possession OF the War Department WIN
the TenureofOce but the intention was never ear
rled out and Stanton took possession by the yo4ntaT
surrender OF the Office by Gen. Grant was TINS intent
purpose Of the President TO obtain judicial decision
III y ,he only way then praGcaDie hgh sue
would have been justified IN carrying his intention INTO
ton to do constituted my opinion no oense There
s however to my mind, another conclusive answer 10
this charge in the eleventh article The President my
view, had authority to remove Mr. stanton, aud tins
being So he could by removal at any time have lawfully
kept him from again taking possession OF the Office
There Is proof to sustain the other charges OF this
article In coming TO the conclusion that the President
is not guilty Of any of the high crimes and msdemean
ors with which he stands charged, have en-
deavored to be governed by the case made with;
out reference to other acts OF his not contained
in the record and without giving the least heed to the
clamor OF intemperate zealots who demand the CON
seek to identify with and make responsible for his acts
ped ON the To vote o his
His speeches, and the general course of his ad-
minstratlOn, have been dstasteful TO as to
any one and should consider 1t the great calamity
Of the II the dsoyal clement often encouraged by
his measures, should gain pOltca ascendancY III the
question wass Andrew Johnson tit for PRESIDENT
should answer but 1t IS not party question.
they made TO appear in the record that to decide
Painful it is to disagree with many political asso-
ciaes and friends whose conscientious CONNECTIONS have
leo them to different result, must, nevertheless in the
discharge Of the high responsibility under which act,
be governed by what my reason and Judgment tell me
the truth and the justice and the law OF this case.
What law does this record the President to have
violated Ia it the Tenure-ofOfice Acti believe in
the constitutionay Of that act and stand ready to
punish its viOators; but neither the removal OF that
faithful and efficient officer, Edwin NJ. Stanton,
which deeply regret. the 0d Interim designation
OF Lorenzo Thomas were, has been shown forbidden
by it, Is 1t the Reconstruction actsf Whatever the facts
may be this record does contain particle OF evidence
OF their violation. Is the Conspiracy aoti No facts are
shown TO sustain such charge, and the same may be
said of the charge OF the violation Of the Appropriation
have been violated IL Is, however, charged that
Andrew Johnson has violated the Constitution. The
fact may be So but where i5 the evidence OF IL
TO be found in ths recOrdi Others may, but cannot
find 1t. To convict and depose the ChieMagisrae of
Che record for insufficient cause, would be fraught
with far greater danger the future OF the country than
arise from leaving Mr. Johnson In office for the re-
naming months OF his term with powers curtaed and
limited rs they have been BY recent legislation.
Se Ses ,g The nj ~ the hnp shall have sub
sided, will be regarded insufficient causes as several
OF those alleged against the President were decided
few months SINCE and future President will be safe
who happens differ with majority OF the House and
wothrds of the Senate on any measure deemed by them
important, particularly II OF a political character
Blinded 6y partisan zeal with t .TSn. such an IN
Hape psIto Snt se The 'ne xav WI" % obstacle to
the accomplishment OF their purposes, and what then
becomes OF the checks and balances OF the constitution
are all gone In view Of the consequences likely 70 flow
from this days proceedings should they result IN con-
charges aud proofs tremble for the future OF my
try cannot be an instrument to produce such result
ton till camcr times shall DO Justice 90 my motives.
alternative is left me but the infexbe discharge OF duty