Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-05-20
The Infamous Seven.

Judas Iscariot and Benedict Arnold no Ion
ger shine pre- eminent in the annals OF treach-
cry. Seven Senators, occupying high POSI-
tions in the counsels of the nation, trusted
and honored by the entire people, and charg-
ed with grave and res ponsible duty. upon
their fidelity to which depended in great
measure, the prosperity and welfare OF the
Republic, have betrayed the confidence re-
posed in them, bartered away the principles
they professed for a consideration, and pro
claimed themselves traitors and apostates IN
the face of the world The men who have
thus violated their solemn pledges, proved
recreant to their political faith, and plunged
the country again into the disorder and peril
from which it was so rapidly emerging, can
never be forgiven by the party and people
they have so shamefullg betrayed. Here is
the list of renegades who will henceforth be
soorned and despised by all honorable men:
l. EDMUND G. Ross, of Kansas. His
treachery took the party and the country by
surprise. Frequently during the trial. and
since the evidence closed, he gave the strong
est personal assurances that he would vote
for conviction On Thursday last he pledg
ed himself in writing that he would vote for
four articles, including the eleventh. To
man Of honor such a promise should be
equally binding with his oath. but both oath
and promise were disregarded by this de-
| bauched wretch, whose treachery has over
whelmed the loyal people of Kansas, and
| ofi ind, that will
sweep him from the Senate he has disgraced.
| Lane, whom he was elected to succeed, hung
himself After such betrayal, he ought
to go and do likewise.
3. WILLIAM PITT FEssENDEN, Of Maine.
He has no excuse for his infamous conduct.
He knows he has misrepresented his constit-
uents who have piled honors thick upon him.
His name, once honored, will hereafter be a
synonym for baseness and treachery. He
ought to resign the position he has disgraced.
3. Lyman TRUMBULL, of Illinois. On
the 14th of January he voted that the Pres
ident's reasons for the removal of Stanton
were insufficient. On the 2lst of February
he voted that the President removed Stan
ton and appointed Thomas in violation of
law. Yet, in the face of this record, in VI
olation of the principles he professed, in
betrayal of his plighted word, and in disre-
| gard of his oath, he voted for acquittal. He
has covered himself with infamy. Hereaf
ter he is to be classed with Copperheads and
| SI"IVorS.
a. JAMES GRIMES, of Iowa. He is in his
second Senatorial term, and has betrayed
hundred thousand Of as brave and loyal Re-
publicans as are to be found in the land He
is dead-dead to all sense of honor-dead
poltically-so that he is stencil in the nos
trils of all honest men. Let him be buried
out of sight, among Rebels and Copper
heads whose olfactories are accustomed to
the rotten smell of treason.
5. JOHN B. HENDERSON, of Missouri.
He pledged himself to vote for the eleventh
article or resign his seat He violated alike
his pledge and his oath-betrayed alike his
country and his principles for price. It's
matter of congratulation that his Senate
rial term will end forever, on the Fourth of
| March next
6. PETER G. VAN WINKLE, of West Vir-
ginia Like Trumbull he had voted that
the President violated the law in the remov-
al of Stanton and the appointment of Thorn
as, and like the same wretch, in the face of
this record, he prostituted his vote to per-
sonal and selfish ends. On Thursday he
finished written opinion in favor of con-
viction on three articles, and showed it to
several Senators. On Saturday, casting his
opinion aside with his oath, his pledges, his
conscience and his character, he deliberate
ly took his place in the ranks of treason.
7. JOSEPH S. FOWLER, Of Tennessee.
He held Office under johnson when he was
Military Governor, aud now aspires to be
his son-in-law. He had repeatedly assured
the other Republican Senators that he would
vote for conviction on the eleventh article.
When he rose to deliver his verdict he was
so much embarrassed that the Chief Justice
had to put the question second time No
wonder he shrank from the consummation of
| his everlasting disgrace He is double
dyed villain, for he was clamorous for the
impeachment of johnson, declaring that so
long as he was not impeached Congress was
responsible for the blood of the Union men
of Tennessee and the unreconstructed States.
Such is the list of names added during the
past week to the rolls of the eternally infa-
nous. The bartering away of principles,
oaths, characters, and constituents for
p'1ce, is species of treachery that makes
even the treason of Jefferson Davis and his
rebel cohorts respectable. The Infamous