The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1868-05-08
.AhLl L0ILg NMI
NU UMBEI} 49.

assumption is but another evidence Of that
incorrigible blindness on the part oithe Pres
ident in regard 10 the feelings and motives
Of Congress that has helped TO hurry him into
his present humiliatipg pTedicainent as y
criminal at your bar,
But all these thinga.were not enough. It
wanted one drop more 70 make the cup of
forbearance overflow. One other act that
should reach the sensorium Of the nation,
and make even those who might be slow to
comprehend a principle understand that fur
theT fOrbearRnee was ruin 30 usnllyHHd TINT
act was done il The attempt TO seize by force
or stratagem on that department Of the igov-
eminent through which its armies were, com
troiled. It was but logical sequence Of
what had gone before the last Of series OF
usurpatons all looking to The same great
purpose,
II did not Iise perhaps beyond the height
Of many OF the crimes by which II was usl-
ered in gBiitits meaning could not be nis-
taken. II was an act that smote upon The
ear Of the nation in such n way as To render
it impossible that it could be either eoncoal-
ed disparaged or excused, as were the muf-
fed blows Of the pick-axe that had been ST.
lently undermining the bastions of Che Re-
public. II has been heard and felt through
all our wide domain, like the reyerberation
Of the guns that opened their iron tbroats
upon our fltg at Sumpter, andit has stirred
the loyal heart'of the people again with The
electric power that lifted ito the height of
the subimest Issue that ever led 4 martyr 10
the stake, or q patriot to the battlsfeld--
That people is here to-day through its Rep
resentatives, on your Aoor and in your gall
leres--ih the persons alike oftheir yeterana,
who have been Scared by the iron bail Of
battle and of the mothers and wives, and
| daughters Of those who have died that tbe
Republic might live, as wen as Of the com
missioned exponenis- Of the public will to
demand the reward of their tolls and the
couspmmqtion Of their triumphin the award
Of a nations justice upon the high offender
| And now, al to the immediate issue, which
II propose TO discuss only in its constitution
al and legal aspects. The great crime Of
Andrew Johnson, as already remarked, run
ming through all bis administration, is that
he has violated his oath of Office aud his
constitutional duties by obstruction and in
| fraction of the Constitution and the laws,
and nm endeavof 10 set up his own will
against that of the law-making power, with
a view to a settled and persistent purpose
Of forcing the rebel States into Congress on
tors, and ia defiance of the win of the loyal
people Of the United States WA ,MNtk
The specific offences charged here, which
are but the eliminating facts, land only the
last of long series Of usurpNtions,) are m
unlaWful attempt to remove the Fightful Sec
retary Of War, and TO substitute in his place
a creature Of his own without the advice and
consent Of the Senate although then in ses-
sion. a conspiracy to hinder and preyeht him
from resuming or holding the said Office az
ter the refusal of the Senate 10 concur in his
suspension, and to seize, take, and possess
the property Of the Uniteh States ia said de.
partmeut--an attempt to debOuch, on officer
Of The army from his allegiance by incuicS-
ting insubordination to the law in further
ance of the same object; the attempt 10 set
aside the rightiul authority Of Congress and
to bring it into public odium and contempt
and to encourage resistance to its laws by
The open and public delivery Of indecent
harangues, mpeaching its acts and purposes,
and full of threats and meaees against II and
the laws enacted by II, to the great scandal
and degradation OF bis own high Office ~
President, and deyising and contriying OF IN
lawful means to prevent the execution Of the
tenure-oEofice, army appropriation, and re-
construction acts OF March 2, 1867,