Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-03-20
IMPROPER JURORS-A COINCI-
nEECE


When the President announced to the
Senate the removal of Edwin NJ. Stanton
from the Office Of Secretary of War, and
the substitution of Gen Thomas in his
place adj interim, that body, by resolu-
ton, declared that under the Constitution
and laws of the United States the Presi-
dent "has no power to remove the Secre-
tary of War and designate any other of
ficeF to perform the duties of that Office
Herein the Senate prejudged the Presi-
dent They made themselves accusers,
witnesses, counsel and judges, and it was
in consequence of this action that the
House Of Representatives appealed to the
Senate with so much confidence to con-
vict and eject the President froni Office.
There is a very striking coincidence in
the career of President jackson to the
action just taken in regard to President
johnson, and which has an important
bearing upon the contest now pending
between the Radical party and Mr.. john
son. 1t is recalled by the Philadelphia
Age as follows:
Upon the removal of the government
money from the Bank of the United States,
by order of President Jackson, the Senate
passed a resolution declaring "the Presi-
dent, in the late Executive proceedings in
relation to the public revenue, has assumed
upon himself authority and power not con-
ferred by the Constitution and laws, and in
derogation of BOTH" This was during
the session of 1884, and on the day pre-
ceding the adjournment of the Senate, Mr..
Benton offered his memorable resolution
declaring the condemnatory resolution of
the Senate, imputed improbable matter to
the Senate, and ought not to have been
passed upon by the Senate, except in the
regular forms of constitutional impeach-
ment, and that such resolution ought to be
expunged from the journal Of the Senate.
But General jackson also protested against
the action of the Senate, aud from that
bold, able and stirring paper, which reused
the country like the blast of war trumpet,
we copy the following passage:
If the House of Representative shall
be of opinion that there is Just ground for
the censure pronounced upon the President,
then will it be the solemn duty of the
House to prefer the proper accusations and
to cause him TO be brought to trial by the
constitutional tribunal. But in what con-
diton would be find that tribunal? A
majority of its members have already con-
sidered the case; and have not only formed
but expressed deliberate judgment upon
its merits. 1t is the policy of our benign
system of jurisprudence to secure, in all
trivial iitigations, fair, unprecedented and
impartial trial; and surely it cannot be
less important that such a trial should be
secured to the highest officer of the gov
eminent.
"The Constitution makes the House of
Representatives the exclusive judges, in
the first instance, of the question, whether
the President has committed an unpardon-
able ofense. A majority of the Senate,
whose interference with this preliminary
question, has, for the best of all reasons,
been studiously excluded, anticipate the
action Of the House of Representatives,
assume not only the function which be-
longs exclusively to that body, but convert
themselves into accusers, witnesses, coun-
sci and judges; and PREJUDICE the whole
case-thus presenting the appalling specta-
Gle in free State, of judges going through
a labored preparation for an impartial
hearing and decision by previous er parte
investigation and sentence against the sup
posed offender"
If, in 1884, General Jackson objected to
being Judged by the Senate because "a ma
jority of its members have already consid-
cred the case, and have not only formed
but expressed a deliberate Judgment upon
its merits" has not the present Chief Ma
gistrate good grounds to stand upon the
| same platform? Assuredly he has. The
| Radical Senators have converted themselves
into accasers, witnesses, counsel, judges and
jurors, and have now summoned Andrew
johnson to appear, in order that he may
have a fair, impartial and just trial. Will
not every man in the nation, not blinded
by passion, admit that this Impeachment
movement is disgrace to the intelligence
of the age in which we live, and fraught
with untold mischief to the progress of free
principles, not only in this land, but in all
parts of the world? But the people sus-
tanned Andrew jackson and rebuked the
Senate, and they will, in the end, pass a
like judgment upon all who are engaged in
the present impeachment conspiracy.
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