Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-04-25
THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.
Conclusion Of Yesterday's Proceedings.

After recess, Mr.. Nelson resumed his re-
marks, and quoted from page 30 Of the Attn vol.
ume of Madison's works, 70 show TIL each
Department of the Government in cons ructon
CT laws must b. guided by The text OF tls Ooa-
sii ution, and that in the event OF con fictng
oil Unions between the legislative and executive,
each must constrne the law by the text OF the
Cons tItUtion. The theory of the Managers
sc med TO be that the President had no author
ity 10 CoDstrue laws, but be denied that theory,
and commended that the President could exer-
else his best judgments in the position IN which
he might be placed, and that il he acts from
pure motives and intentions in the exercise of
that power he cannot be amenahle to a charge
Of having committed high crime ard mi ,de-
mesnor.
Mr.. Nelson then reviewed the several arti-
Giles charging crime by reason of the removal
OF Mr.. stanton, or rather the attempted remov-
al, for he eontended that Mr.. Stanton never
was removed. The first four articles he cou-
tended did not charge such acts as IN accord ;
anee with precedent would constitute high
crime and misdemeanor. The filth article
charges conspiracy between the President
and General Thomas. ). = = = :
Mr.. Nelson sud he would remind Senators
that the President was buta mortai man, as
we all were. He was but M an of flesh AMI
blood and liable 10 all the frailties OF our ma
ture, and when speaking to the people only, he
speaksas an American citizen and not as Pes
Iuent of the United States. The use OF I'M
proper language in an official commune ton
might be cause of complaint, but Congress had
no right, as body, to take notice of what the
TEcsiucut sdlu III Ms unOmcal capacity used
IN addressing his fellow athens. The attempt
might as well be made by some one or some
body of men to say how a Senator or q Repre-
sentative should talk when out of the halls of
legislation, and when making a speech to the
people When at Cleveland the President re-
piled as any man had right to do, because he
was mere American citizen, speaking to
American citizens. There is no doubt bI. there
was mob at Cleveland ready and fully pre-.
pared TO insult Andrew Johnson, and the Pres
lden', although UNIV illing to go out to make the
speech at hrst, he, at the solicitation of friends
went out and ans wered the mob in their own
way. He may have used incorporate Ian
guage but there was no cause for q charge OF
treason In that. And as at Cleveland SO it was
al 1T. Louis, where similar scenes occurred
With regard to the manner In which the
President referred to members of Congress
Mr.. Nelson commended that Mr.. johnson had
clear and perfect right to comment upon the
acts OF Congress as he chose to. 1t was the
simple exercise of an American citizen of the
right of free speech, but ii did not amount TO a
crime. In fine, Mr.. Nelson commended that
none OF the acts charged amounted TO high
crime or misdemeaHor. Ever since the foun.
danon OF the Government members Of the Con-
gress OF the United States have assaulted every
administration, and will it be said that the
President had not the same right to comment
upon the acts OF congressman, and would the
President not have as much cause TO complain
OF Congress for speaking disreSpectfully of a
Coordinate branch of the Government as to
make ii "a crime for the President to speak dis
respectfully of Congress.
Mr.. Nelson thanked the Senate for the atten-
ton that had been paid him, and expires led a
belief that they would act Justly in the whole
matter. God grant that this American Senate
in IL cir dying hour. God grant that they -nays
so act as to receive the applause not orfy of
Nov but of angels
The Court of Impeachment then adjourned
ue President pro tem. resumed the chair,
ard the Senate Immediately thereafter ad-
jou-Bed.