Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-02-27
Removal Of seeretary stanton.

moved MI. osanLOn from thdt pos414JHi az ~
pointed in his place, as Secretary OF War al
interim. Adiu!ant General Thomas, OF the Ar
NJ. The President encloses copies OF his COM
munications to those gentlemen, informing
them NJ his action in the matter The PresI-
dent also nominated to the Senate Major Gen
erol George II. Thomas to be Lieutenant Gen
eral and General by breyet; also nominated
General George B. Mcclellan to be minister to
England, vice Adams, resigned, and Hon. j.
r. Hubbell, Of Ohio, to be minister to Ecuador.
Upon receipt Of this message, several Sena-
tors, Messrs. Catlett, Cameron, Chandler and
Thayer, constituted themselves a committee,
and posted of to M. Stanton to urge him to
hold on.
Late in the afternoon, the Senate went into
Executive session, most Of the radicals in a
great rage, and the subject was discussed until
a late hour. For the first three hours the
speeches were pretty much confined to the con-
servative side Of the chamber, and were mainly
in defense Of the action of the President, in the
premises.
Senator Bayard spoke at great length, re-
viewing the tenure Of office bin, and contend
inc that it eacroached on the constitutional
prerogatives Of the Executive, and was follow
ed by Messrs. Dixon, Hendricks and Bucka-
lew. Mr.. Howe replied to these arguments
and maintained their unsoundness. Mr.. Sum
uer roared very gently. and advocated return
Of the message to the President, or its reference
to the military committee.
Finally the resolution, offered by Mr. Wilson,
was adopted by vote Of 20 to 6. For this
resolution, also the letter Of the Pretident to
Mr. Stanton, see the report in another column
taken from the National Htelligmeer.l
On Saturday the Senate was not in session
In the House Of Representatives, Mr.. Eldridgc
succeeded, after much opposition, in having
Washington's Farewell Address read by the
Clerk. Several reports were made.
THE RECONSTRUCTION COMMITTEES REPORT
At twenty minutes past two Mr.. Stevens, Of
Pennsylvania. chairman Of the Reconstruction
Committee, presented q report to the House as
follows:
That in addition to the papers referred &c
the committee, the committee find that the
President on the DIST day of February, 1868
signed aud ordered 4 commission or letter OF
authority to one Lorenzo Thomas, directing
and authorizing said Thomas 10 act as Secre-
tary Of War al interim, and to take possession
Of the books, records, and other public proper
ty in the War Department, Of which the fol-
lowing is a copy:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, d. c.. February p, 1868.
Sir: The Hon. Edwin NJ Stanton having
been removed from office as Secretary Of the
Department Of War. You are hereby author
lied and empowered to act as Secretary of War
al interim, and will Immediately enter upon
the discharge Of the duties pertaining to that
Office
Mr.. Stanton has been instructed TO transfer tC
YOU all records, books, papers. and other pub
lie property entrusted to bis charge.
Respectfully yours,
iSigued) ANDREW JOHNSON.
To Brevet Maior-General Lorenzo Thomas
Adiutant-General U. S. Army, Washington
DC.
Official copy respectfully furnished to Hon
Edwin NJ. Stanton.
lSignedl L. THOMAS,
Secretary Of War at interim
Upon the evidence collected by the Commit
tee. which is hereafter presented, and in virtue
of the powers with which they have been in
vested by the House, they are Of opinion tina;
Andrew johnson, President of the United
States, be impeached Of high crimes and mis-
demeauors. They therefore recommend to the
House the adoption Of the accompanying reso-
luton
THADDEUS STEVENS,
GEo. $. boutwell,,
JONI A. BINGHAM,
CT HURLBURT,
JOIN T. FABNSwORTH,
+. c. BEAMAN,
H. f. PAINE
Resolrsi. That Andrew johnson, President
Of the United States, be impeached Of high
crimes and misdemeanorS.
Mr.. Stevens seemed disposed to say but lit
tie, and no doubt feeling sure that he had his
cohorts "well in hand was willing the vote
should be taken, but Mr. Brooks of New York
would not allow these revolutionary move
ments to pass without a scathing criticism.
After bidding the majority to beware, and tc
proceed no further in their revolutionary steps
Nj Brooks said:
Speaking 10 behalf Of those who have sworn
TO support the Constitution, in behalf Of my
associates here; in behalf of those laundering
mai9ritcs whose voices are roaring outside OF
the Capitol, and who are waiting for a couSti-
tutiouai opportunity to enter. bid YOU beware.
Your impeachment will avail You nothing
The President is 20 be tried before the Senate.
with all the forms Of law; aud before You can
achieve the final result he will be removed from
your authority by the constitutional termina-
ton Of his office If YOU proceed further and
depOSe the President by violence if you sus-
pend him; IL YOU throw him out Of office, ex-
cept BY due process Of impeachment, l tell
YOU. i'm behalf of thousands. and tens Of thou
sands, and hundreds of thousands, and millions
of the people. that we viii never never. So
help me God. never. never submit. Sir, we
have the physical power of the country with
us The labor the industry, the bone and mus
Gle Of the country are ourS. The heroiSm Of
the country Is ours. Four-6lthS Of the army
Of the United States is composed Of the democ-
racy Of the country. And if you proceed TO
politics into the army the democratic
soldier Will follow the democratic instinct and
vail stand by the Constitution and the laws. |
therefore, Mr.. Speaker. bid YOU beware Of IN
OF Illegal, Of extraordinary pro