The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-04-14

wAR OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES BENDS OI1 tOh
BOTTLE OF wHIsKEY-THEY CLOSE PRO
cEEDISes WITH DRINKING BOUT.
Trustworthy accounts from Washington rep
resent that the impeachment trial is blight
upon all matters social, political and CONNER
cial, in that community, and in the depart
ments the utmost dullness prevails. 1t is evi-
dent that the trial will last about three weeks
longer. Every day of delay is beneficial to the
defence, because public sentiment hourly be-
comes more in favor of the acquittal Of the
President, and evidence of that healthful
change is brought directly to the notice Of
senators. Already prominent Republicans and
leading Republican journals are advising ac-
ouittal as a polite measure in the interests of
their party The Cincinnati Commercial has
significant editorial on the subject.
There was again crowded Senate on Friday
in spite Of the inauspicious weather-even the
ladies not hesitating to turn out. so great was
the interest manifested to hear the conclusion
Of Judge Curtis great speech. A large num-
Der Of eminent gentlemen we're again noticed
among the spectators. General Sherman and
his father-in-law, Mr.. Ewing, occupied the
same seats they did on Thursday. Several
justices Of the Supreme Court were to be seen
in the lobby. We quote from the correspond
erce of the Baltimore Gazette:
Judge Curtis resumed his argument, and
spoke for two hours, during which Ben Butler
attempted several times to interrupt him, but
the speaker declined noticing him or his in
terruptlons, except in the line of his argument.
He literally cleaned up the whole case, and
when he reached the Buffers pet article,
charging an improper use OF language on the
part Of the President during bis Western
speeches, Judge Curtis left for the first time
the dry path Of legal Argument, and INDUCED
abridge the freedom of speech. Senators,
with few exceptions, leaned forward to catch
every word which fell from his lips, and the
closing sentence was as beautiful as it was
solemn and truthful.
During the delivery Of this magnificent argu-
ment Senator Sumner exhibited his Radical
| vulgarity and vindictiveness by continuing to
write and despatch letters. Howard and Chand-
Ter ware several times in conversation, and
Senator Wilson attempted to get up smile Of
derison. These were about all the variations
from the strictest order and closest attention,
and yet it is questioned BY many whether this
effort of Judge Curtis will have any effect upon
|
| convict. Only last evening Senator Van Wlnkle
declared in conversation that he could see no
reason why the President should not be re-
moved, as it could now be done without danger
of violence from the President himself or from
the Ku-Klu1-Klan. This Mr.. Pickwick of the
| Senate had on q previous occasion expressed
his apprehensions in this particular, but no
one supposed he was favorable to this con-
spiracy against the President, and his vote
had been counted among those opposed to
conviction.
Its impossible for any one to understand
and realize the difference between the mana
gers on the part Of the House. headed by Ben.
Butler and the counsel for the President, who
does not witness the proceedings in the Senate.
The speech Of Curtis having closed, General
Lorenzo Thomas was called as thedirst witness
on the part Of the defence; and let it be re-
marked just here, that the general is not only
gentleman Of the old school, but is splen-
did looking officer. He appeared in full uni
form, and lady near US exclaimed, "Isn't he
handsomel" All eyes in the ladies' gallery
we're upon him. Rarely has witness been
placed upon the stand under more trying Cir
cumstances, and never has one conducted him.
self with more GOODNESS and self-possession.
He spoke rapidly, too much so for the report
ers, but in clear ringing tones, and his answers
we're direct and to the point. Butler cross-ex-
amined, and yet with all the impudence and
vulgarity he could bring to bear. he utterly
failed to confuse or emb1rrass him in the least.
During the examination of General Thomas
the managers objected to allowing the witness
to explain how far he had been instructed by
the President to use force, threats or intimida-
ton towards Stanton. This, it will be reIaem-
bered, is one OF the leading charges against
the President, which the managers have ut
tempted to prove by giving in evidence General
Thomas declarations, and :et they we're un-
willing for General Thomas TO explain his own
declarations and say how far they had been
authorized by the President. The question
was referred to the Senate, and ten senator's,
whose names must become by-Sords Of scorn,
voted to sustain the infamous proposition.
Hand them around Cameron, Chandler, Con-
ness, Cragin, Drake, Harlan, Howard Nye,
Ramsey and Thayer, have openly declared that
they stand readyto convict the President with
Out allowing him to be heard. When Summers
name WAS called, and he refused to record it
on such roll Of infamv, there was decided
sensation throughout the chat<ber. How must
these ten senator's regard themselves, when
even Charles INNER declines sinking to their
| level The vote was @ sumner TO the mana
gers, who had elaEorately argued the ques-
! ton.
The gravity Of the proceedings was broken
by that portion Of General Thomas testimony
referring to his interview with Stanton in the
War Department On the twcnty-second Fcbru-
ary, when the Congressional Directory had as
semb!ed to witness the iorcible oustinS OF the
War Minister. The testimony here Drouch;
the tarcical proceedings OF these honorable
Congressman to very proper Climax They
had testified to the gathering OF their clau Al an
early hour in support OF Stanton-that they
had watched for the enemys approach-that
with pencil in hand they had carefully noted
his every word, even to his good morning,
Mr.. Stanton''-and now the after, OF by-play,
is given us by General Thomas. While in
General Shriver's rom, and after his Con-
gresssional guard had left him. Stanton threw
his arm around the General, run his fingers
through his hair i'll the most familiar manne",
and called upon Gen. Shriver to set out his de-
canter that lie and Thomas might take 4 drink
together. Finding that Shriyer had but "a
spoonful of whisiey. which was fairly divided"
Stanton sends out for bottle. which was uIl-
corked, with drinks all 1ound--membcrs II
Congress excepted. Base ingratitude! But
what will the civilized world say?