Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-04-29
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH
To Ohio Statesman.
IMPEACHMENT.
WASHINGTON, April %.
SENATE.


When the court had been opened in due
form,
Mr.. SUMNER said-I send to the chair
an amendment to the order of the Senate
upon the trial of impeachment. When
that has been read, if there be any objec-
tion, | will ask that it go over until the
close of the argument and take its place
with other matters that will come up at
that time.
The amendment was read as follows:
WHEREAS. Its provided in the Constitu-
ton of the United States, that on the trial
of an impeachment by the Senate, no per-
son shall be convicted without the concur
renee of two-thirds OF the members pres
ent, but this requirement of two-thirds Is
not extended to the judgment in such tri-
ais, which remains subject to the general
law that a majority prevails, therefore, in
In order to remove such doubt thereupon,
Ordered, That any question which may
arise, with regard to judgment shall be de-
by a majority of members pres
ent. .;
Mr.. DAVIS objected, and
The CHIEF JUSTICE said--It will lie
over.
Manager WILLIAMS then, at 1915, re-
sumed his argument. After recapitulating
his position of yesterday, he took up the
subject of the Presidents alleged iustifica-
ton by reason of advice given him by his
Cabinet. He held that the President could
not shield himself behind the opinions of
his own creatures, whose sentiments were
prompted by fear of losing their positions.
He characterized the Cabinet in its newly
assumed functions as fungus growth,
which sought to make itself directory.
He argued that if members of the Cab
met were intended to advise the President
on general policy, and shield him from re-
sponsibility for his actions, they would
have been made Independent of his control.
He claimed that the President had failed
to show any sufficient cause for his desire
to remove Mr.. Stanton. True, he was
thorn in his side, but so was Congress, and
so was Grant, and every loyal man.
Mr.. Williams held that the wanton re-
moval of meritorious officer, from motives
of personal dislike, is of sufficient warrant
for impeachment. He referred to the Pres
ident's failure to commence legal proceed
ings, which he maintained would not have
suited his purpose, to have an lnterregnum
wherein his own will would be supreme.
He then gave satirical and numerous
description of the conduct of Gen. Thomas
on the 2lst and 22d of February, including
his appearance at masquerade.
With regard to the defense set up by the
President, that he has right to resist and
bring to judicial decision laws he considers
Mr.. Williams maintained
GlldJ lO pTONlSlODS vi buG OOuSlltuILOA IC-
quired such a confirmation, and that eX-
treme cases of unconstitutional laws were
not supposable.
He would admit that the Senate is now
sitting as court, but it was court hold
ing exclusive jurisdiction, which could de-
eide that whole matter according to its own
ideas, guided but not bound by precedents
and laws.
Mr.. WILLIAMS then argued that the
suspension of Stanton was made under the
tenure of Office law, which the President
thereby recognized. He then maintained
the averment of evil intent was not neces-
sary in this case, as In all others it was in
terred from the act its Elf.
Comparing the conduct of Mr.. johnson
with that of James III, he said it only now
remained to see whether the parallel would
be completed. He contended that for the
safety of the people, the supreme law was
the only law by which this case should be
properly tried. 1t was belittled by trivial
and -impertinent legal technicalities, and
he besought the Senate to take larger
view.
In regard to the 11th article, he had not
the heart to dwell ON the disgraceful con-
duct which formed its subject. If the
President, like his counsel, made merry
over 1t, he could only say that Nero fid-
died while Rome was burning, and that
one culprit would find in the Senate CEN
sor more stern than Cato. z-45.r EE
In conclusion, he said the result of the
trial would determine whether the Presi-
dent or Senate would 90 down, and de-
which would follow from acquittal, he con-
trasted them with a glorious picture of
peace, prosperity and happiness to result
from the Presidents conviction.
The Senate took recess.
On reassembling, Manager BUTLER
asked leave to make a personal eXplana-
tion, in regard to the Alta Bella matter, and
read a written statement, in which lie con-
demned in very severe terms the introduce
tien by Mr.. Nelson of assertions and inti-
nations, unsupported by evidence and ir-
relevant to the case. and went on to relate
the circumstances of his connection with
the matter. He stated that he gave Mr..
Shaetfer an opinion on the Alta Bella
claim before impeachment had been decid-
ed on, or before the President committed
the act which gave rise to it, and had
never heard of it afterwards until
published in the New York papers. Mr..
Logan also signed it, but the other sigma
lures were offered to the copy of his opin-
ion long after the original was given the
President. Neither he nor any of the other
managers had any interest in the Alta Vela
claim. The signatures were sent 10 the
President in order to support him in doing
what he had already declared his intention
OF doing. Butler then read the affidavit o.
Chauncey T. Black and Mr.. Schaffer, cor
| roborating these assertions.
Mr.. NELSON, by permission, replied an6
| reminded the Senate that tie topic was moi
introduced by himself, and claimed he haC
right to yindicate his client from the as
pensions cast upon him by the other side
He had brought no accusations against the
managers, and contended warmly thai
the imputaJion made against him just now
was unjustifiable and outrageous. He ha6
supposed that the original opinion
was dated like the copy, and asked
why he had not been corrected wher
he would reproduce them tomorrow, anC
would show that the additional signature
were made after the trial had commenced
and were used by Judge Black to influenct
| the President.
In the course of his remarks Mr.. Nelson
was called to order by Mr.. Yates, and
Mr.. LOGAN stated this signature wa
affixed before the impeachment com
| menced.
Mr.. NELSON said the letter woul,
show.
Mr.. EVARTS then, at 2:30, rose and ad
dressed the Senate and the Chief Justice il
behalf of the President. His opening re
marks had reference to the grave characte
of the cause and the impossioility of seein
the results which would flow from it. Fror
these considerations he framed strong ap
peal for circumspection and impartialit,
in its consideration.
Briefly reviewing the issues involved i
the few Impeachment trials which hav
taken place in our country, he spoke G
their utter insigniticance in compariso
with those now presented, and said
should call their attention to some of tn
probable results which would follow tn
!, decision either way. If the President
acquitted, the Government will go on q
/ before. Congress, the Executive and Ju
dietary will reassume their proper funC
, tions. In case of conviction, disturbance
of various kinds will arise. One branch {
the Government will be divested of its pre-
negatives, and the President will be SUE
ceeded by a member of the bod