Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-04-23
THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.

WASHINGTON, April l3-General Sherman was
recalled. Stanberry then asked if he thought that
after Stanton restoration, the good of the service
required another man at the head Of the War De-
partment.
Butler objected. Bingham said if Sherman 8
opinion was given, forty thousand other mems o.
pinions might be called. Butler spoke at length !;
he warned senators that Saturday struggle would
be renewed to-day. Several questions were asked
by senators, and general debate ensued.
Evarts said they desired to show that the Presi.
dents action was for the good of the SERVICE based
on the opinions of honest, intelligent officers. The
Senate refused to hear the answer--yeas only l5
Davis voted nay Sprague and Salisbury were abb
sent; Fowler, Grimes, Ross, Trumbull and Van
Winkle voted aye.
Senator johnson asked, Did you at any time, be-
fore Stantons removal, advise the President to ap
point another person? Butler objected. Chase
decided that the question propounded by the SEN
ator could only be objected to by the court. Drake
objected, and the Senate refused to hear the an
swer by vote oils to 80.
After long argument on both sides, Gen. Sher-
man left the stand, and it was supposed that his
valuable testimony was hopeIessy excluded. The
impression however, was subsequently disappoin-
ted, and he was recalled to answer question pro-
pounded by Hon. Reverdy johnson, which was di.
vested of the technical difficulties that had served
as pretext in shutting out the former interoga-
tories. We quote from the National Intetkgence's S
summary of the proceedings:
'sThere was an immediate demand for the yeas
and nays by Conness and Drake, who seem TO act
as the ready and convenient instruments of the
prosecution. Whenever any duty is to be dis
charged which the managers themselves cannot
perform under the rules, then senators become
ready instruments of wrong. Ihe call was listened
to with breathless anxiety, and when it was deci-
ded that the question was decided atirmatlve!y BY
a single vote, buzz Of appreciation spread itself
with electric emotion over the vast auditory
General Sherman answered the direct question,
and was proceeding to narrate the substance of the
interview, when he was rudey checked by Butler,
who objected to anything but the strctest letter of
the inquiry. An additional interrogatory was then
offered, so as to develope the purpose sought to
be ascertained by Mr.. johnson question, and
really included in its terms, which was admitted,
after angry opposition on the part Of Mr. Bing-
ham, who lost his temper and balance as soon as
the first defeat was experienced.
Generel Sherman resumed the stand, and this
time with the certainty of revealing his knowledge
on the subject of most serious accusations against
the President. He had hardly begun, however,
when Butler interposed to stop him. This inter-
ruption produced an unexpected result for Gene
q
to the impertinent meddler, and went on with his
narrative as he had commenced. The silence and
attention on the floor of the Senate and throughout
the galleries, crowded to their utmost capacity,
was 50 profound, that although the witness did not
pitch his voice in high key, every word was dis.
tinctly heard throughout the chamber, so rapt and
universal was the attention. 1t seemed almost as
if the fate of the case hung upon the words that
fell from the lips of General Sherman
He testified with great care, clearness of Ian
guage, and directness, to the effect that the Pres.
dent when rendering him that appointment of
Secretary of War ad interim, had stated that his
own relations, as we'll as those of the Cabinet with
Mr. Stanton, were such as rendered change IN
the War Department indispensable in the interest
of the service and of the whole country. This was
repeated with emphasis. On the occasion Of the
second ofer when Gen. Sherman suggested wheth-
er the lawyers could not make up case the Pres,
ident said it was impossible without making an ad
interim appointment but that if it could be done,
the civil tenure-ofofice bill would not stand half
an hour before the Supreme Court He regarded
it as unconstitutional, and claimed the right to
make the appointment which was rendered him.
In reply to question from MIR. Howard the wit
ness testified that the President had never suggest
ed the employment of force in any form, but had
expressed the opinion that Stanton would retire
upon the presentation of the order, as he was
'cowardly' by nature, and would make no resist
ance.
Nothing could be more distinct positive and con-
vincing than the evidence given by General Sher-
man, and every syllable he uttered appeared to de,
molish the last vestiges of the pretended case Of
the prosecution AS he closed there was an evi-
dent sense of relief to the strained interest which
was manifested throughout and feeling of deep
ond oornost satisfaction was testified in the graft
fed expression of the immense multitude, as if q
weight Of care had been lifted off the mind, and
joyful hope had confidently replaced doubling anH-
iety. The contrast presented in the general tone
and keeping of the same audience in the short
space of an hour, between the withdrawal Of Gen.
Sherman from the stand and his return to it, was
something 50 striking as to be remarked and re-
membered by most Of the coneourse Of spectators.
That assembly pronounced on the spot what
must be the popular verdict a complete acquittal
and entire vindication Of the President. If the
galleries had been poed representing, asthey did,
BY two-thirds at least, persons in sympathy with
the majority in Congress we venture to assert that