The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1868-03-19
IlGPEACHlGENT.
DPEECH OF HON. WI. LOUGH.
IN THE HousE IoS REPRESENTATIVES
February 20, 1863,

Termination to follow the path Of
duty regardless Of consequences to
pyself personally.
Sir, shall vote for the resolution
now before the House, declaring that
Andrew johnson, the President Of
the United States, should be impeach-
cd tor high crimes and misdemeanors,
and I do It with full knowledge Of
the importance Of the act and Of the
responsibility which I take upon my.
self in 20 dong. A few weeks since
! voted with fty-six other members
Of this Honse fora . resolution Of i'm.
1 pcachment in the same words u
this, reported to the House Judiciary
SCommitteo. That resolution fAiled
to pass. We wsre on that occasion
BY the prsv1ous question deprived oi
the oppoEtunity of giving the req
sons impelling us to vote for that
fesolution, and ! am on that account
The more gratifed TO have the oppof.
unity now to state fully my reasons,
not only for the vote propose to
give now, but also for my vote upon
The former resolution. The failure
of that previous resolution Of i'm.
peachment was occasioned by de-
sire on the part ofthose Republicans
who opposed it to avoid II possible
the necessity Of the resort to 20 vic.
lent remedy, the fear Of it's effect
upon the business ofthe country, aud
the fAct that the resort to it would
|pscessarily impede for an indefinite
length Of time the general legislation
pfthe country. And out Of fond
hope that the acting President would
4or the sake Of the peace of our com.
non country, 80 long suffering from
he effects of the cruel conspiracy
against its existence, cease from bis
i eauseless and insane contest with the
legislstive power Of the country, and
his wicked efforts to render futile the
win and wish ofthe loyal people ol
The landas declared and made known
Nine and again, through the ballot>
ox BY their Representatives in Con.
4ress. -
But, cir, those hopes have proved
10 be delusive, and have by the sub.
Dequsnt acts Of the President been
ndely dashed 70 the earth. The for.
Asarsnce ofIths peoples Rspresenta.
ives upon this door and their hesi.
Ation to resort TO the suIhInafy rom.
6ly Of impeachment have becn con.
rued BY the President - showing
6ar on the part Of the House and Z
ck ofcourage to assert the dignity
I'd the prsrogatives of Congress; and
bch forbeArance has been met with
sult and defiance and by new and
ore direct assaults upon the rights
nd the Jurisdiction Of the legislative
department Of the Government and
sIew violations of the Consultation
md the laws Of the country, until il
= now demonstrated to the satisfac.
ION Of all honest and impartial men
that there is no resort left to this
House but to exercise the constitu-
tional power of impeachment.
IN Ingiving the vote do in favor ot
The impeachment of the President
% not oonfine myself to any one sin.
le transaction OF violation Of law,
Y which there has been on this part
20 many. From the time when he is.
ned his first proclamation to organ.
70 and Get up civil government in
orth Carolina, without the author
~ or sanction Of Congress, down to
the open, direct, and fragrant disre
Eard and violation of the Consultation
md Of the statutes of the land in the
attempted removal of the present
ecrstary Of War and the appoint
nent ofanother, his whole course hai
een one Of continued occupations 81
lower and violation OF his oath o.
3face. ia
Refusing Is convene Congress !,
he surrender Of the rebel armies, q
4 hs could and should have done. n
roceedsd, without authority of law
n his own way and manner and up
pn his own responsibility, toorganiz.
governments for the conquered Statel
ind 20 appoint omcegS for the same
Il He appointed and cohamisaioned gov
ernors i6r snch States, prescribed K
them their authority and powers
4 fxed their salaries, and paid them on,
',pf the moneys Of the United States
4He authorized such. governors 20 ap-
Il pointed to establish the ssrules ane
regulations" by which the people o
Ah0nA StafAa wara IN. H. knnrN 1.