The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-05-18

Thought might follow, though did not antici-
pate nor fear any such results, yet, in order to
place myself beyond the possible censure of
those whom knew to be my best friends, at
once proposed to forward to the Governor my
resignation as senator. To this you did not
consent, and then requested you, as my
friends, to consult together, and determine
what you thought was proper for me to do
under the circumstances. Yot did 80. and the
result was that, believing ''the safety Of the
country and the interests Of the loyal people
of the United States demand the removal OF
Andrew johnson" !" you ask me to withhold my
vote on any article of impeac achment upon which
Won (Il cannot vote afirmatyey. So soon as I
had time to read and consider this paper, I
found I could not comply with the request with
ont that degree of humiliation and shame to
which. was satisfied, you, as honorable men,
would not wish to subject me. 1 had already
spoken in the Senate, and lsthought conclu-
sively, at least so to my mind; against eight OF
the articles, and had informed you that was
no less decided in my judgment against the
suficiency of two others, leaving me in doubt
only as to one IF, with these clear convic-
tons expressed in full Senate, I should now sit
silent. I would forfeit my own self-respect and
! stand defenceless before the world. You agreed
to reconsider your opinion as expressed, and
although you at first resolved to adhere to it,
7 am gratifed that upon further reflection you
Reasonable. but You still Insisted, as your
oulnion. that my duty rehuired my vote
to be go cast or withheld as might seem ne
cessary on some one arae]e as to secure
conviction. atonce mentioned the difficulty
attending this suggestion. Senators had been
and were still so reticent on the subject, that 1
could not ascertain their positions. knew
them to be greatly divided ON the several arti-
Giles. and they we're even liable to change their
minds at any moment before the final vote
should be taken. But as you expressed q de-
sire that I should not resign unless 1t became
absolutely necessary to hayea successor in my
place favorable to conviction, promised to
give you the result OF my conclusions 30 soon
as could ascertain the probable result on
to ascertain that result cannot, and now
write You to say and be assured that I say it
in that spirit OF friendship and kindness which
YOU have always extended Ito me, and which,
now undiminished, have eyer entertained for
YOU, that your request o1 this subject has
placed me in the most difficult and delicate
possible position. am satisfied you do not
realize it. have given it. the most serious
and especially on account Of the gravity and
importance Of the subjects presented.
The result Of that constellation is, that hav-
ing been compelled, as member OF the SEN
ate, to take an oath to try this case and to do
impartial justice according 70 the law and the
evidence, I cannot now hGuably escape the
duties imposed by the obligation. It was for
the House OF Representatives to prefer articles
of impeachment-it is for tine Senate to try
them and the members ofthe House have no
more right to dictate or control the judgment
of the Senate in the premises than members OF
a grand Jury presenting an Indictment have to
dictate or influence the verdict Of the petit jury
on the trial of crime. And do not thus speak
for the purpose of rehectng On your action, for
I Idistincty disclaim such purpose, knowing, as
do, that what You have done and said springs
from the best OF motives as.wen as the kindest
of feelings. My duty in the premises cannot
shirk, ror can divide it With others:
II / resign before the conclusion OF the trial,
it strikes me that come Ahort OF the obliga-
tions of my oath, and necessarily subject my
self to the imputations Of weakness, or some
thing worse. II remain and do my duty my
constituents at present may condemn me, but
will not when they heaE ny reasons, and the
strike Strike m me down without herring. # Stay
and withhold my vote. Ns requested, you are
aware that the result Tgulf be the same as If
voted adversely. II I resign and o successor
should come, perhaps proper sense OF deli
cacy would prevent him from violating every
precedent on this subject BY casting vote at
all. IF he sat silent, it would be the same IN
result as if he voted adversely.
II he voted afirmativeIy, and thus secured
conviction, this manner of obtaining conviction
would likely neutraiZe in the end every advan-
tage to be derived from impeachment. Hence
have resolved to remain Ut my post and dis
charge my duty as it is given to me to knoWlt,
and appealing to Heaven fu the rectitude OF
nv intentions and the integrity Of my conduct,
the end Of this trial, and throw myself upon the
Judgment of generous people for my vindica-
WIZ Your friend, J. B. HENDERSON.
To Messrs. Geo. W Andersen, VIM. a. Pile, G.
A. Newcomb, j. J. Grayely, j. W. McClurg,
BF. Loan and j. F. Benjamin.
THE LATEST uTTKRANoE OF THE GREAT MILITARY
sPHYNx.
The New York correspondent OF the Phila-
delphia Ledger writes on the 18th instant:
The politicians to-day are most excited over
the following extracts OF etter from hr.
Charles E. Moss dated Washington, May
12th), which was read a. the anniversary OF
General Grant is working hard with his
friends to secure conviction He says john
sons acauittal will result in bloodshed. His
opinions ought to influence Republican sena-
tors to remove the only obstacle in the way OF
peace.
"General Grant the past three weeks has de-
clared himself in favor OF universal suffrage,
and declares that must be the ruling idea OF
his administration, il elected in 1853"
PILL FOB THE HERO OF VIENNA.
Congressman Schenck, chief Radical fugler
at Washington, in his agony on Tuesday, sent
this telegram to local politicians over the
country:
WASHINGTON, D. c., May H.-Great danger
to the peace of the country ard the Republican
cause IL Impeachment fails. Send to your SEN
ators, before Saturday, public opinion by reso-
lutions, letters and delegations.
ROBERT SCHENDH, Chairman.
The Providence Journal reads the over-zeal-
GUS impeacher needed lesson on decency. It
says the dispatch which cams to that city Gre
ated profound modification" and continues:
The members of the Senate have been en-
gagged for nearly six weeks II the hearing OF
this cause, and now, according to the demand
of General Schenck, their decision is to be die
tated to them by constituents who have given
the subject no close attention whatever. The
very suggestion is an impertinence and an out
rage, offensive alike to all dec7rum and all JUS
tice.
All o. which ought to haze tranquilizing
effect upon Schenck.
COMMERCIAL VIEW OF THE CASE.
The Journal of Commerce takes courage
from the adjournment OF the Senate.
ssEvery tick Of the clock" itsays, sis in favor
of the President. The longer impeachment is
kept before the people, the more hateful and
has weakened from the first day that it came
into the Senate like canon bali fired hori-