Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-04-08


-,-., ~ ef.a,. and v,,b Texas
un''es', assss =, ,e., States a saw
W. ~ -, s,e<. .. IN Maryland
ass ~ Nv fhs,e vii he a Southern
49, ra5,csl balance Of mower in our
a.o .e.;rs as d;fy;cuIt nerhaps. 10
sean,. bv ~. North as was the late
Ss.,hsrn vshold;ns ol;garchy.
This Il the Radical program me, as far
la. devsloned Ia NAV. however, fall
vsrv farSbort Of the recoustruction sys-
,sr coriem nlatsd with a man in the
Wh;,s Hsnse chose certain signature
lii make oniv a hare majority OF both
houses necessary 10 cousumm mate any
Radical measure. But the schedule Of
party ways aud means we nave 'no,da'e 20
hsng shont st.n Inv stem. a revolution
In The government so complete as TO
make our future national elections as
manageable by the central power ms uni
versai suffeage ia in France. Aud this
magnificent revolutionary reeonstruc-
ton system depends, in the outset, upon
the removal OF Andrew Johnson. His
aconittal. therefore, by his accusers, who
ara Nj Judges and Jury, and by this party
Who will condemn themselves in his Jus
t;6eation-bis acquittal, we say, will
be a miracle If il shall come to
nasa With these views OF the sub
,ect we regard il as proftless to
tale the discussions and decisions
mon psints of law and rules Of pro-
cedure In this trial, from day TO day, as
afTordiug any indications Of the final
Judgment of the court JEFF. Davis will
escape because he no longer stands in
the way, but Andrew Johnson's place is
wanted the party wanting it have the
mower 10 remove him, they have resolved
upon II. and his fate is sealed.
n. .orr..nondant of the New York
~, ~. 60. .na.u,,,o,,
Horid ALSO tnus iu''ne' 'p'eu'"''' '"
this subject: ~.
Whatever the managers OF the i'm
peachment on the part Of the House may
have had to encourage them, no Senator
who has not been base enough to express
an opinion on the merits Of the case
within the last fortnight can be justly
claimed to have committed himself at all;
for, since he las taken an oath to act in
this trial in all respects according to the
Constitution and laws, his former opin-
ions as a Senator are as nothing
to his duty as dispassionate judge
Now, certain senatorial chairs on
the radical side are filled by
men whose national regulations,
before and since they entered the Senate,
sprung from their abilities and achieve
ments as lawyers. Some Of them had
won regulations for craftsmanship and
integrity Of character in positions even |
more distinguished than those they now
occupy. Men, for instance, like Lyman
Trumbull, of Illinois; VIM. P. Fessen-
den, of Maine; Edwin d. Morgan, of New |
York; and O, P. Morton, OF Indiana, are |
of judicial mind which will at least
enable them to comprehend the legal is |
sues 10 be brought up by counsel during |
the trial. Nor is it fair to assume that they |
will be quite as careless in the capacity
of Judges, as they sometimes are in the
capacity of legislators, in respect to
equity, justice, and the verdict of his
tory. There are other Radical Senators,
including Grimes, OF lowa-the cele-
brated 'honest mani" Sprague,. OF
Rhode Island; Ross, OF Kansas Sher-
man, of Ohio; and perhaps even Conk.
ling, of New York, whose ,well-sustained
individuality warrants the hope that they
will be as impartial az they oan.
The "other considerations to which
alluded above as likely to influence the
result Of the trial are, first, and chiefly,
of course, those of party.
Atthe outset, Thad Stevens declara-
ton that the Republican party would be
ruined il this impeachment should not
20 through, was accepted as gospel by
almost everybody here II was mouthed
as sort of Political axiom, and when
the articles of impeachment passed the
House the friends of the President could
not help being discouraged by it. Politics
being q great game, and the Radical ma.
iority in the House having turned up
trump to which they held the cards,
nobody could suppose that they would
fail to play out their hands. Unforeseen
combinations arise in ell games. If
am not much mistaken e'serious differ
ence has arisen 10 this between the
players.
The Senate is distinguished from the
House by a certain aristocratic air OF
self-respect, which has more than once |
provoked the sneers, the wrath and the |
abuse of the House. II has the appear
ance-except when old Ben. Wade de-
sends from his eminence and ramps and
snorts along the floor, or when the fiery |
Chandler foans at the British lion and |
makes believe his fingers are stroking |
the Eagles back--of deliberative body. |
And, although it has permitted the
House to dictate to 1t IN many matters,
the whip which Bingham, Stevens, Butler
and the rest are now cracklng over IT. Is