The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-05-18
Tho J. president !, virtually Acquitted.


the Democrats for acqaittal.
The eleventh article was submitted first
to the vote Of the Senate, We suppose, he
cause it contains the essence and kernel of
the whole impeachment, and therefore q
vote upon it would be a test upon the merit
of the entire srraignment. 1t is strange
that the Senate should decline to proceed
further after having acquitted the Presi-
dent on this article. We see no good reason
for this postponement Of the vote upon the
other articles. There can be no reason ex-
cept some that relates to party trickery and
scheming such as q vague hope that, by
resorting to some device Of intimidation or
persuasion, some member voting for aequit-
tai on the eleventh article may be induced
to stultify himself by voting for conviction
upon some other article whose purport is
included in the eleventh. Whatever be
the motive, We may rest assured it is not one
that can be approved by fair and honest
men, and we hardly think itcan avail the
reckless party who have assumed that the
oaths Of senators sitting as judges are as no.
thing compared with their obligation to
obey the alleged popular voice manifested
in the ferocious clamors Of the mobs Of
cities and corrupt politicians for the conyic-
ton of the President. The President must,
after the vote Of Saturday, be acquitted,
and the nation saved the disgrace of his
conviction without cause and against testi-
mony through the reckless act ola perjured
Senate. So, g4s
We do not believe the conviction of the
President would alter much the fate of the
South, and on that score We have felt no
very great concern upon the subject. But
his acquittal must crafty every candid and
patriotic man, since it would be an indica-l
ton that there remains yet in the land
some feeling of respect for the Constitution
and asubmission among portion at least of
the law makers to the restraints it imposes
that there is yet some proper conception Of
the solemnity Of an oath, and especially in
the most eminent Of all its phases, that
faithfully to try o fellow being upon the law
and the testimony. These are, indeed,
grateful indications quite sufficient upon
which to base the hope that there is recu-a
perative energy sufficient. still residing in
the body-politic to bring back the Govern
ment within the boundaries of the Consti-
tuition, and to reestablish order and secu-
rity and equality among the States. Z.
The result of the acquittal Of the Presi-
dent-which we now regard as settled
will only be to infict 8 terrible rebuke on
the Radical party, and diminish its physi-
cal force at never had any other). There
can be no disturbances of the public peace
because of this acquittal. On the contrary,
it will promote that peace. All the pre-
dictions of the ferocious and unprincipled
Radicals about anarchy and bloodshed to
grow out of acquittal, were only intended
to iRtimidate senators and drive them to
perjure themselves and bring upon their
memoriesthat undying infamy which must
attach to the thirty five who solemnly voted
against law and fact to convict the Presi-
dent. We shall have much quieter and
more harmonious season than we should
have if the President were convicted. His
conviction would very much swell Radical
conceit and assurance. His acquittal will
probably chasten Radical feelings and in
duce a more thoughtful and healthy condi-
ton of mental action among the leaders OF
that ruthless faction.
The eleventh article, which was voted
upon on Saturday, is the celebrated one
framed by old THAD STEVENS. He plumed
himself upon its preparation suggesting
that there we're smart lawyers on the side /
of the President who would likely pick
flaws in those previously drawn; but that
he presented he felt confident would bring
down the President. 1t is as follows:
g ARTICLE XI. 49, 81
That said Andrew johnson, President
of the United States, unmindfnl Of the high
duties Of his Office and Of his oath Of Office,
and in disregard of the Constitution and
laws of the United States, did heretofore,
to wit, on the 18th day of August, 1866, at
the city of Washington, and the District Of
Columbia, by public speech, declare and
affirm, in substance, that the Thirty ninth
Congress Of the United States was not
Congress of the United States authorized by
the Constitution 10 exercise legislative power
under the same but, on the contrary, was
Congress of only part Of the States,
thereby denying, and intending to deny,
that the legislation of said Congress was
valid or obligatory upon him, the said An
drew Johnson, except insofar as he saw fit |
to approve the same, and also thereby de- |
nying, and intending to deny, the power Of
the said Thirty-ninth Congress to propose
amendments to the Constitution Of the |
United States !; and in pursuance of said
declaration, the said Andrew johnson, Pre-
sident Of the United States, afterwards, to I
wit, on the 21st day of February, 1868, at
thecity Of Washington, in the District of Co
lumbia, did uniawfully and in disregard of |
the requirements of the Constitution, that
ne should take care that the laws be faith
fully executed, attempt to prevent the exc
cation OF an act entitled An act regulating
.ne tenure Of certain civil offices, passed;
March 2, 1867 by unlawfully deyising and
eohtriVlng, and attempting to devise and
eohtr1ye, means by which he should pre-
vent Edwin NJ. Stanton from forthwith re.
Stunning the functions Of The Office Of Secre-
Hrlsk IA ~. =