Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-01-29
WHOLESALE MURDER NO CAUSE OF
IMPEACHMENT.

Mr.. Wdtchmdn;--
Dead issues are Improbable. Between us there
is this question, whether executive officer who
knows that murder is planned and does not pre-
vent it, ought to be removed from that office.
The Waterman acknowledges "that the President
had ample information of the contemplated out
rage at New Orleans, and not only concealed it
from the Secretary (of war; but did nothing TO
prevent the wholesale murder More than that,
he ordered that the military should be used for
that purpose, or what was equivalent, said they
would be expected to take sides with the rebel au-
thorites against peacable convention. Is not
that a high crime II not don't speak of the pos
sibiliv of crime in the executive We are not
speaking OF hanging him for MURDER when he sim
ply approves the plot and prevents another oti
GERS interference with IL, but whether he ought to
be removed from Office for it, II he ought not,
then he may plot Your assassination and mine, and
that of every man in Vermont and because it is
to be executed by some tool of the white mans
government the plotter ought not to be removed
from Office What is this in morals? What
would it have been in the days OF Charles the First
What is it in spirit? But Of all possible olens $
for which an officer would deserve TO be removed
that is the very one. The issue is referred to a
candid world The same crime perpetrated
also-at Alexandria, Va, and Nicksburg, Miss. If,
-ifmemory serves me, and he did nothing to pre-
vent the wholesale murder. Blood enough has
been shed by the paterRdl hand to redden all the
waters of the Southern States, and il it had not
been for the democratic success last fall at the
polls, these crimes could have been seen But
The dear timd souls at Washington who looked
back could see nothing but that democratic sue
cess and when they looked forward they could see
nothing but Grant and victory, or utter defeat by
the democrats. So at that moment OF trepdaton
and responsibility the crisis in the destiny of the
present ruling party of the republic, they could
see nothing in all this bloodshed for which Mr..
johnson should be removed.
Let us dwell no longer on what cannot be re-
called Nor would have mentioned this but for
the exutation Of the Waterman over Mr.. Towards
report, and its very delighted acquiescence in the
dismissal of the impeachment. As to Gen. Grant,
it is hard to say what he ought TO have done. But
there was no remonstrance with the rebels. They
were a nation Of sayages know but why not re-
monstratey Why not say, exchanges shall be
made on equitable terms lfyou will not ex change
negroes for prisoners we will hold the lives OF your
population answerahle for their lives. Much
might have been done Cor their safety. But il has
always seemed monstrous 10 me- that those 60, OO0
braves should have been left TO starye without a
blow struck directly to redeem them But the
greatest difficulty ever was TO know by what right
Justice was outraged when Lee laid down his
arms that he and his army were promised immuni-
" for that action. Why was that? Was it not
an entire surrender oI the cause for which the wal
was wagedY No matter If the President and Cab.
met sanctioned it, We know what their predilec-
tons were and the surrender by that is made nc
better. But we cannot resuscitate defmct thing
and their will be different opinions on the subject
Hoping for harmony and victory, | am yours,
r. s. H.