The Montana post., 1868-02-29


sed 109 yeas to 80 nays, the in
vestigation was at once began, and
ended on the 23d of July succeeding
but the case was not brought to trial.
The President exhibited less hostility
toward Congress, and although offering
continued hindrances to reconstruction,
it had finally come TO be considered that
he would not violate the legislative re-
straints thrown around him sufficiently
to render his impeachment a necessity
tor the welfare of the country. These
statutory straight jackets it has never
before been necessary to place upon a
Chief Magistrate. They are necessarily
stringent, and they may be unconstitu-
tional, as was the coercion of the seced-
ing States pronounced by some, but the
Supreme Court is the authority to de-
eide upon that question and expound the
law, not Andrew Johnson or the mem
bers of his Cabinet. A law made by
Congress is in full force and valid to all
intents and purposes until its unconsti-
tutionality is declared by the Judiciary,
and the President has no more privilege
to disobey them than have we. In his
letter to the Senate, dated February %,
he admits this, and the further fact that
he was in doubt as to the construction
that would be given the statute, but
finding that he has gone a step beyond
the forbearance of Congress, he now Of
fers this letter to explain that he only
intended to bring the issue before the
court. Had we confidence in his integ-
rity and honesty of purpose, the letter
would be entitled to some weight, as
showing the motives better than the
deed. But the character of the man,
who, through political ambition, has re-
pudiated the brightest leaves in his re-
cord; (; deserted the party of which he
was most extreme, and been rejected by
the other as unworthy of political trust;
who has been self-willed and again vas
cillating; lent himself to be made a
catspaw of by a party who abandon him;
whose veracity has been denied by men
the nation never doubted; who lacks
ability to control events, and discretion
to abide them who has the thunder in
his nature, but not the lightning; who
threatens and cringes who lacks digni-
ty in Office, consistency in conduct, and
many OF the qualities that go to make
up great and good men, does not warrant
unhesitating confidence in the expressed
intentions of his eleventh hour explana-
tion. We are unqualiiedly in favor of
the Impeachment and final settlement
of this conflict of authority. 1t is in a
Court organized and authorized by the
Constitution, the highest tribunal in the
land. The President is charged by the
House with high crimes and misde-
meanors. Like any other person indict-
ed for crime, let him go before the tri-
bunal and be adjudged innocent or
guilty upon the evidence adduced. Five
years ago the English Parlia>
ment asserted it the province of that
body to impeach and try civil officers.
The greatest English jurists have unan-
pronounced in its favor, and
with the exception of during the reigns
of some of the most despotic monarchs,
when the arbitrary power of the Star
Chamber was arrogated in its stead, the
House of Lords has been the high court
of impeachment in England This is
government of the people.
An officer charged with misdemeanor is
tried by the representatives, and they in
turn are tried by the people and their
ballots give the final decision. Andrew
johnson represents no party, no princi-
pie. He may not be totally evil, but the
good that is in him is woefully hidden
from the eyes of his countrymen. As an
antagonistic element in our party, the
Democracy will endeavor to use him to
their advantage, but they and he have
no other utilization. He will be tried
upon the charges of misdemeanor in Of
fee, and stand or fall as he is guilty or
innocent. Taking the entire response
bility of impeaching Andrew johnson,
and submitting the policy of the party
to the tribunal of the people for their
decision upon it's merits, the Republican
party will have sacrificed expediency to
principle, fought the fight for the Union,
freedom and humanity without q devia-
ton from its fixed purpose, and can con-
fdently abide the result. r- ....-.