The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1868-02-25

8IHuS tu8ti2 u6Blf0 vi t0E phkt Vi tuc iUeh
dent 70 teak the constitutiouality Of the Ten
ure Of Office Law ii would not justify the com.
mission Of high crimes or misdemeanor, de-
ciaring that the public welfare requires thai
all offciais aor otherwise shall be solcmnly
taught that the law Of this land i no resrecter
of persons.
Mr.. Woodbridge sustained the impcach-
ment. declaring that in no other way could
the majesty Of the law and tho future safety
Of the Republic be maintained. In case oi
revolt, he said ten thousand swords would
/ leap from their scabbsrds, million Of bay
oneis CLEAN in the sunshine, to preserve the
honor of the old flag.
Mr. Wood argued against the impeach-
/ ment; he contended that the grounds on
which he sought to maintain the resolution
/ were all frivolous and utterly unworthy ef
| any attempt st refusal. He urged that the
| be greater offence than that attempted BY
the leaders of the session Of 1867.
Mr.. PruYn followed on the same side.
Mr.. Pollard spoke in support of the reso>
| lnsion.
Messrs. Stokes and Pike also spoke in sup-
port of impeachment.
Mr.. Miller sustained the resolution.
Mr.. Eldridge addresses the House ia op-
position to the resolution believing this to .
: part Of . great org lnized plan to get rid Of
the Executive, and to invest Congress with
eli the powers OF the Government.
Mr.. .tudd said his past action in voting for
the impeachment had been justified BY his
constituents, and he had just received a dis
patch (which approved his action. The dis
patch wss read a. follows:
CHICAGO, ILL.,, Feb. "a.
HoS. N. B. JrDp: The Republican peace
and party of the city Of Chicago unanimous.
ly demand the impeachment of Andrew
Johnso1. A mass meeting is called for to-
morrow evening, to give expression to this
feeling.
[Sianedl s. D. 0rIs, Chairman.
Mr.. Stevens, OF Pennsylvania, closed the
debate. He said: agree with those gentle
grave subject and should be grsveiy treated.
Let us, therefore, discuss this question in no
partisan spir3t, but with legal accuracy and
impartial justice. The people desire no vic
tim and they will endure no usurpors. The
charges, so far as ! shall discuss them. are
few and diktinct Andrew johnson is
charged with attempting to usurp the powers
of other branches OF the government with al
empting to obstruct and resist the execution
of the law. In order to sustain impeachment
under our Constitntion, | do moi hold tha, i,
is necessary TO prove crime 10 al indicative
offense, or any act maturing. ! agree with
the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylya
mia on the other side of the House, who holds
this 10 be purely political proceeding. Il il
intended for 4 remedy for maifeasanee in Of
6ce, and to prevent thu continuance thereof
Mr. SsevensI after full discussion Of the
law regulating impeachment, proceeds to an
swer the inquiry What, then, are the oificial
misdemeanord Of Andrew Johnson Mr.
Stevens therefpou reviews the provisions Of
the Tenure of Office Law, and says when An
drew Johnson assumed the Office Of Presi.
dent he took the oath to obey the Constitu-
tior Of the Upited States to take care ths,
the laws be fkiihfuily executed. This was
solemn oblieAion. A bold conspiracy was
attempted by him to inisce the General of
the army to aid him in defeating the opera
lion of this iaw, and when be had suspended
tie Secretary of War he appointed General
Grant Secretary ad interim, with the avoxed
purpose of pTkve5ting the operation OF ihs1
Law, If the Senate should decide in favor I
the Secretary. He says that the Gen. did ent,
into such conipiracy TO aid him in obs,ructing
the return OF The Secretary, notwithst andiug |
What the Senhie might decide in his favor /
This is deniei by the General. Andrew |
johnson tells ihe truth. Tnen he il guilsy of |
. high official pisdemeanors for he avows his /
effort TO prevent the execution of The laws Of |
the General Commanding. He tells the /
truth, then, the President is guilty Of high /
misdemeanor, for he declares the same thing |
Of the President, denying only his own com
plicity aud TO show his Johnson's utter disre- |
gard of the laws of his country, we have only |
TO turn 70 his lsst annual message. in which |
be proclaimed 70 The public that the laws OF |
Congress are h4eonttitutioIli and Lot bind |
ing on the people.
Mr.. Stevens proceeds to consider the Sc
cond removal Of Mr.. Stanton and the appoint /
ment OF the 4djudani General Thomas az +
Secretary Of Z ar ad interim, and says: "IfI
this act stood Alone, il would be an undenia-
BILE official misdemeanor, not only misde 1
meanor per sci but declared besides TO be !
safty; the bet itself and the party /
made indictabie in q criminal proceeding, and /
if Andrew johnson escapes with bare reno
val from Offices if he be mol ined and incar.
cera,ed in the Penileu,iarY and afterwards
under criminal proceedings, he may thank
Congress and not his oYn Innocence
At the conclusion of Mr.. Stevens speech
= vote was taken on the resolution resulting
in yeas l26, nays l7--a strict party vote.