The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-04-28
The Impeachment Trial.

WASHINGTON, April 25-In the impeachment court
resolution finally passed allowing an unlimited
number of speeches oratoricaly delivered written
by the managers and defense
A close analysis of the votes show that there ere
ten Senators doubtful the impeachment question
The first figures liberal, the second Radical This
list deals only with the important votes regarding
the admission of evidence
The Senate, after a half dozen propositions had
been voted down, adopted the following:
THAT many of the managers and counsel for
the President desired to do SO, be permitted to file
arguments or address the Senate orally"
Judge Chase ordered Mr. Boutwell, TO proceed.
Mr. Boutwell, said the Chief Magistrate of the prin-
cipal Republic Of the world was trial The object
of the proceeding not for the punishment OF Of
fences but the safety Of the States. The issues be-
tween the President and the House of Representa-
tives are limited viz: Whether President johnson
violated the Constitution and laws in removing STAN
ton and appointing Gen. Thomas.
Mr. Boutwell, forth the evils probably following
the acknowledgment of the Presidents power to re-
move officers at pleasure arguing that that power
belonged to Congress, and maintained that sover-
eighty rested with the people, who vested it IN Con-
gress; whereas the executive and judicial depart
ments are denied all discretion or implied power.
Congress adopt its administration to changer
the condition of the national life whereas the Presi-
dent is governed by the principles which govern the
judges Of courts The President must administer the
law as he finds it, without questioning legislative
wisdom. The President make no inquiry regard
ing constutionality. public officer can neither
plead nor prove good motives for multiplying law.
The President violated law Gnd the Senate can enter
into enquiry regarding violated laws OF constltu-
tionalty
Mr. Boutwell, said that the President desired to
bring the question before the court HIS pretext
fully exposed His object was to seize the o11ceS
of the government and by their influence reconstruct
the Union in the interests of the rebellious States
No criminal ever offered a more unsatisfactory ex-
for his crimes.
He argues that Stantons suspension and Grants
appointment were acknowed gments of the legality OF
the Tenure Office act, behind which the President
could go. subsequent attempt to remove Stan
| ton was unauthorized by the Constitution and IN
violation of the Presidents oath OF office Tins re-
quires a verdict Of guilty under the first aeucle
The advice of the Cabinet was no excuse; 1t was
! the advice of servants to their masters.
Mr. Boutwell, discussed the Constitution, and the
practice of removals, closing his argument with the
declaration that none of the predecessors OF MI
johnson, from Washington to Mr. Lincoln, even
claimed the powe to remove civil officer during the
session Of the Senate without its consent. lie said
that the act 1877 if the claimed underlt
valid, repealed by an act OF 1868.
| He argued the c0nsttutionaEty of the Tenure-ot-
Office act claiming that President Johnson was
serving cut President Lncons term, and that the
law covered Stanton's case. lie sald that the Ires
dent seems to have been under the influence OF
| criminal purpose to destroy Grant as well as TO re
move Stanton and attempted TO carry out his purpose
by various and tratorous methods, attempting TO Sc
duce Gems. Sherman and q. II. Thomas lie useC
Gen Thomas's nomination, knowing 1t was a part o.
the old game put Ewing, 10 years of age, in power
who would gladly yacate office at any time, leaving
in the hands of Johnson tools. There is no reason
to suppose that the present Secretary of the Treas
ury would not agree to any scheme which johnson
hight undertake.
Regarding the Presidents speeches, the House die
not arraign Mr. Johnson for slandering Congress, O
for any purpose of protection but that man utter
| ing such words is unfit for the office.
After opposing President Johnsons rcconsTuctlol
course Mr. Boutwell, says the House brought thu
g. II, hn ron
viction that the country in peril.
In conclusion, Mr. Boutwell, said The Hous
Of Representatives has presented this criminal a
your bar with equal confidence in his guilt and II
YOUR disposition TO administer exact justice betWee
him and the people Of the United States. His con
vicfon is the triumph of law, of ORDER and fjustce
do not contemplate his acqu1tal; it is impossible
Therefore, do not look beyond. But, Senator's, tn
people of America will permit an usurplng eS
ecuve to break down the securities for liberty pro
vided by the Constitution. The cause of the countr
is in YOUR hands Your verdict Of liberty is, peac
to our beloved land.
, Mr. Groesbeclz will follow Mr. Boutwell,.
Mr. Curtis announced it doubtful whether Stanber
would be able to take any further part in the proceed
ings of the Impeachment trial.