Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-04-18
Impeachment Failure for Want Of Proof.
The Washington correspondent of the
Nav York Herald writes as follows:

The washington correspondent Vi tno
New York Herald writes as follows:
Reviewing the popular sentiment in
view of its fluctuations from the com
mencement of the impeachment trial to
the present time, it is astonishing to
what an extent the opinion has become
prevalent that the President will be ac-
Quilted. This idea is not based upon
any declarations of those who have ex-
elusive control Of the final issue. 1t is
solely attributable to the fact that the
managers have utterly failed to produce
case that carries conviction to
the minds of any, save such as
are committed from motives of interest
or are bound by the shackles Of
party. In a matter upon which so much
interest centers it is natural that the
intelligent spectators, who have watched
the progress of the trial, should express
themselves freely as to the merits OF the
case and the weight and value of the
testimony and arguments. These ex-
pressions are tempered somewhat, of
course, by the political preJudices OF
those who utter them; nevertheless they
are entitled to some weight, and will
command more or less attention. To
say, then, that no candid man, of what
eyer political party, has the courage to
affirm that the impeschers have shown
that the President, by single act, has
done anything worthy of impeachment,
is not exaggerating or giving undue pro-
miuence to the predominating feeling.
In demanding verdict of guilty the
Radicals are recklessly consistent. While
strangers here, who come from distance
to witness the trial, admit the INSULT
cheney of the claim for conviction, they
readily adopt the popular argument that
the arbitrary law of necessity must and
shall prevail. The Radical members of
the House openly proclaim this, the
fanatical portion of the High Court !"
reiterate it, and every night it is sent
over the wires, and occasionally under
the "by authority" stamp of the Cen
eral of the armies. The strait to
which the party is reduced is readily
admitted. There is no attempt to con-
| zeal the terrible extremity to which it
| is reduced. To acquit the President is
| TO decline to rule, to accept ruin and to
convict Grant To avert these is the
daily and nightly Office Of those who sit
at the feet of ancient Thaddeus and
gather that peculiar quality of wisdom
which has lately distinguished his utter
auces. II is true, conceal it as they
may, they labor with that fear and
trembling which doubt imposes. They
suffer the torture of suspense and inse-
curity because, With all their assurances
and bravado, they cannot assn me with
perfect confidence that impeachment Is
an fat aecOmph, as we shall presently
show.
Notwithstanding the extraordinary
efforts that have been used to discover
the status of the Senate npon the mo
mentous, question now under investiga
ton, there have not thus far hsep any re
suits that are in the least satisfactory OF
conclusive. The reticent members re-
main PERSISTENT; dumb. Opinions are
prevalent as 10 how they will record theiI
votes in deciding the verdict, and II thI
popular bias favors the idea that thel
will be for acquittal, il is only becaus'
they have judiciously refrained from AM
utterances that would give clue to thei
private sentiments; or rather becaus
they have resisted the inportunitip
! Of those Who have already decideI
the contest in favor OF Mr.. Wade
it is naturally inferred that they hav
strength and integrity 10 judge the cas-
upon, fairly and impartially," 10 &C
9 cordance with their oath-bound pledge
J II is certain, at all events, that these me-
D are bullet proof against the efforts Of pat
s tisan Jurors, Who do not restrain thei
1 zeal for conTicnon - 3 parry necessity
I IL resistance has any signidcauoe, Il "a
y yors the President only in this-that hi
8 acts may, 10 some extent, be judged B
4 the Law and the evidence.
The anxiety Of the leading Radicals {
4 the Senae aud House 10 induce q CON
: initial on the part Of sufficient numbs
4 10 insure q verdict Of guilty, has latter
been 90 apparent a. not only 70 provok
. comment and cens1re, bat il has ais
e exposed the most glazing acts Of ind:
erection. II has exhibited The vesknel
4 OF The prosecution, the failure q n
; Managers 10 present strong case, IN
4 the necessity for denanding convictio
4 70 save The party from the odium Of q
e quitssl his inpossible % conceal the
o elects or 70 avoid the fatal eonsequene'
: they entail