New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-03-08
THE IMPEACHMENT.

nv Aopb W. HdNO u u
ment for the trial of Andrew johnson ior
high crimes and misdemeanors. That THIS
matter has been delayed to the present
time is to be regretted; but the delay shows
how forbearing and patient the people are
under the most grievous wrongs. Inc 10,
luctance manifested in this matter shouio
be accepted as evidence Of disposition W
deal eharitably with one whose conduct
would long ago have justified his ignomln-
ious dismissal frOm Office. The fact that
the president has been so long permitted
to trife with the most important and sacred
interests of the country, to falsity every
pledge given to those who elevated him to
the vice-presidency, and to punish loyalty,
and reward and glorify treason, without
being brought to the bar of the senate for
trial, is the strongest proof of the unwll-
lingness of the Republican masses OF this
country to resort to the high and severe
remedy Of impeachment unless IN
the last result Impeachment, however
much demanded by the interests oil the
country, and justified by the wickedness OF
the guilty officer, necessarily brings DIS
credit on our government and institutions,
and makes an undesirable page in Ameri-
can history. 1t was this feeling which so
long restrained the house of representa-
tives from an exercise of its prerogatives I;
but this reluctance on the part Of the peo-
pies representatives to enter into an i'm
parchment was misunderstood by the pres
ident and bis friends, and believed to origi-
nate from fear of his position and inhu'
ence. This disinclination to punish him
only embeldened him to the commission of
more and greater violations Of law and
Outrages against the rights of the people.
He is now arrested in his mad career. He
has now the proof that impeachment was
not delayed by cowardice of the people or
Of their representatives. The house of
representatives has at last determined that
the sseredness Of the constitution and the
still bleeding wounds Of the country de-
maHd the dismissal of traitor president,
The result of the impeachment trial can
not be doubtful. The charges are clearly
stated. The proof is at hand and known
to the world. The court is honest, i'm
partial, and learned. The impeachment
will proceed, and in spite of all statements
of the rebel papers, and rebels
and eopperheads to the contrary. Andrew
johnson will be found guilty, dismissed
from Office, and disqualified from ever hold
ing effce again. The iine-spun legal
technicalities on which the presidents at
terneys may dilate will disappear as chat
before the wind under the legal argu-
ments of Bingham, the deep earnestness Of
Boutwell,, and the powerful eloquenee Of
Williams. The management of the case
is in safe hands, and the country has conf
dence in the integrity of the court.
Andrew johnson has signaly failed in
his efforts to corrupt the military and sub
vert the constitution. To-day, among all
the soldiers in and about Washington,
there is 'nene SO poor to do him reverence"
The usuTper is shorn Of his power, and the
people are in earnest. Their represent
atives are patriotic and bold, and their
charges are true and their cause is just.
The court is honest and fearless Andrew
johnson will be convicted, and Benjamin
F. Wade will act as president until Grant
is inauguratea on the fourth Of March OF
next year. The entrance of Mr.. Wade in
the White house will give peace to the
country. Reconstruction, which has been
delayed and obstructed by Johnson,
will be safely carried out and com
pleted. Under the administration OF
the latter the rebel states will
return to the Union with constitutions
guaranteeing equality of rights, law and
order will be established, industry will be
rewarded, commerce will be revived, and
again will we enjoy the blessings ofliberty,
prosperity, and plenty. For all this the
country will be indebted to the great Re-
publican party. Let us, then, be Of good
cheer; let us add our efforts to those of our
brethren in the North in restoring peace to
our distracted country-peace on terms
which will cause it to stay when it comes.
Let the Office Of president be filed by a
patriot like Wade, give us commander for
this department like Siekles or Sheridan or
Mower, Tatify the constitution now about
to be submitted to the people Of Louisiana,
elect the state ticket Of true Republicans
regularly nominated, and our state will en-
ter on a career of prosperity equal to the
wealthiest and happiest in the Union. Let
the other Southern states do as we are do
ing, and the month Of March, 1869, when
Grant becomes our president, will find no
more treason, poverty, or misery in the
land.
THE CITY.
L.