National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-05-22
Impeachment.

On Saturday last the eleventh ar.
ticle OF impeachment was voted on,
resulting in the acquittal of the
President on that article. The vote
stood So for conviction to 10 for ac-
quittal. The Senate then postponed
the vote on the remaining articles
to the Goth.
From this it seems that impeach-
nent is a failure so far as conviction
by the Senate is concerned. The
vote on the 11th article may be re-
garded as a test vote. and it pretty
clearly demonstrates that the Pres
ident will be acquitted on all the
remaining articles; though there is
bare possibility that he may be
convicted on some one Of them.
We confess that We are much dis
appointed by this result of the trial,
Not that we wished Mr.. Johnson re-
moved on political grounds, or as a
party measure. We know of no
antllorii or sanction of law for the
removal of the President on such
grounds. But we believe there are
good constitutional grounds for his
removal, and we hoped that upon
these he would be removed.
We cannot give our assent. how
ever, to much that is said and done
by those who are anxious to have
Mr.. Johnson removed. However
much his removal may he desired, it
will not 90 to resort to expedients
incompatible with a fair trial and an
impartial verdict. There may be, as
is alleged, corruption and bribery
on the part of those who favor the
acquittal Of the President; but we
regard the urging upon Senators of
political reasons for Mr.. Johnson's
removal as entirely out of place.
There is also proposition to bring
III the Senators elect from the south
crn States to turn the scale against
the President. We copy the follow
ing on this point from one of our
exchanges
1t is reported that n scheme is
now on foot to admit the southern
States and allow the Senators tc
vote on Impeachment. We thinl,
this would be good move, ON,
which the President could not wei
oppose, since he has constantly Oh
posed rs unconstitutional all act
whercon the southern vote has bee,
rejected. The testimony in the tria
has been made public, and thes
Senators just coming in will be jus
as well qualified to vote from reatlin.
the testimony ana arguments a,
from hearing them
We do not for a moment suppos,
there is any intention on the part O.
the Senator's who favor the convic
ton of the President to secure it i,
this manner. by resorting to sucl
means they would stultify them
selves and bring disgrace uron tn
whole proceeding. 1t were bette
for the country, and better for n
concerned that Mr.. johnson shoul
remain in his office through bribcr
and corruption, than that he shoul
he removed by a resort to an
questionable expcdients. TO ADM
new Jurors in a case after the cas-
has gone t. the jury, who are t
render Il decision under oath uro,
the merits of the case without hay
ing heard the testimony, would h
ahaSrantv violation of every principl
of right and justice and would b
instantly condemned by every fai
minded man in the country.
mr. johnson has had fair tria
anu all the people ask of the Senat
Is to render n fair decision. and
through corruption and bribery in
tee is thwartcd in her course. upo
the heads of those whose yenalit
and perjury have brought about TIL
result will rest the responsibility.
We see that Mr.. A. NJ. Cram
editor of the Winchester (va1 Jou
nal, has been nominated for Co
gress by the Virginia State Conve
ton. Mr.. Crane is Glover DO
and an old "chum" of ours. lie
u man Of sterling integrity and e
ccllcnt abilities; and has earn,
the honor conferred upon him fgll
In Pa,