The New York herald., 1868-03-14

speakers chair ana called the HOUSE 70 Oruer
with mock gravity. Speaker Cavanagh called
for prayer nom Rev. Mr.. Poland OF Yer
mont. Mr.. Mungen, OF Ohio, moved that
Speaker Cavanagh treat the House to drink, to
which the latter replied that mo levty would be
allowed, and that If the gentleman from Ohio per-
sisted In the motion he would call him Mungen' by
name." number OF dreadful attempts at small
wit followed, and Cavanagh finally abandoned the
chair with the remark "Oh, pshaw You fellows
don't know how to conduct the Third House. We do
1t better in Montana
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALD.
The impeachment Question-Chief Justice
Chase and the Radicals.
WASHINGTON, March 12, 1868.
The lul that has ensued since the presentation Of
the summons to the President demanding his APP
pearance In person by representatives before the
bar Of the High Court Of Impeachment has given
ample time for reflection and created variety Of
speculations as to the final issue. The New Hamp-
shire election-which was recognized by all parties
as the political weathercock to indicate which way
the wind was stirring-having blown over,
and its results accepted by the radicals as
sufficient assurance that the popular sentiment
viii sustain them in their contemplated deposition
Of the President the friends Of the measure are in
q suitable frame Of mind to carry ont their pro-
gramme, or at all events attempt to do so without
moments unnecessary delay. There is class OF
radicals who are not entirely satisfied with the
result Of their party triumph In New Hampshire,
and argue II the people there were OF all in
favor Of impeachment there would have been
an overwhelming majority, when the truth is the
party has been unable to hold its own. 1t natu
raj to expect some expression Of opinion, at least
II not Of j0fcation over the election but nothing
has been said or done to show any qualification at
Here, then, comes in the great question In the
political mind-will the people sustain I'm
peachmentf The Inauguration Of the mea-
high tide OF passion and partisan animosity, the
effect upon the people appears to have been widely
masses Of the people upon their Representatives
here, few days Of reflection has had material
effect in tempering the bitterness OF many Of the
supporters Of the measure, and 1t Is evident many
are looking back to their own part in the proceeding
with some concern and laying the way for retreat If
matters come to the worst.
In order to keep pace with the importance as well
as the solemn nature Of the impending trial, great
preparations will be made for the due observance OF
dent has employed his counsel OF the ablcst
representatives OF the legal profession in the coun
try. With knowledge o. this fact the managers Of
national Legislature are now busiy engaged In pre-
pairing themselves for the grand tournament.
position Chief Justice Chase has assumed and fears
are entertained that the powerful arguments of the
Executive counsel will be less manageable than the
rulings OF the presiding officer 1t Is very generally
believed among the radicals that the Chief Justice
will maintain conservative stand and rule out all
exhibitions OF partisan malice or purposes on the
part of the prosecution. 1t is alleged that the
action Of the Chief Justice will be o big card in
view Of his nomination as the candidate for
the Presidency on the democratic ticket IL he sue
ceeds in the programme laid out by the conservatives
in protractng the trial defeating the conviction Of
the President. This, in connection with the antic-
Dated 0eC1atOng In the cases now pending IN the
Supreme Court OF the United states testing the
stitutionalty OF the Reconstruction acts give much
encouragement to the and they
great hopes that they will lind valuable supporter
Of their cause In the Chief Justice.
These indications have given rise to considerable
anxiety on the part OF the radicals, and the leaders
are already caucusing among themselves to devise
not fail to express their opinions very defantly in the
event OF such game being practised upon them.
Of the Chief Justice does not accord with their
views they have at least the resource OF
appealing from his decisions and submitting
them to the sense OF the court. But the pre-
cedent already established in the appeal from the
decision OF the Chief Justice, on former occasion,
makes 1t doubtful whether they will succeed any bet
division OF this nature between the Judge and the
jury instead OF any purpose OF the rad
icals win subserve the interests OF the opposition by
delaying the proceedings and probably driving the
impeachers to such lengths as to cast such odium
upon their conduct as VIII present no very nattering
those favorng the measure.
The conservatives see in q condition OF things OF
this character their strength and brightest hopes,
and while they will assume an appearance OF indif-
ference trusting TO the justice Of the court will not
0se an n 9ss TO hr9w Hsy
nents and widen the breach which seems to
be inevitable. Within the past week the change
sentatives seems to indicate less encouragement from
that body than was looked for. Having relieved
cutting the measure than the adoption Of articles Of
impeachment, they are now disposed to throw the
whole burden upon the Senate, while they VIII be
passive spectators Of their action.
The pred0minatng idea In the mind OF the leaders
is the perpetuaton Of party power and ascendancy,
he sS are wng and ready 70 resnond 70 sny
means Of accomplishing triumph. This idea Of party
and seldefence has already been so generally admit
ted that the radicals are keeping vigiant watch
on the movements OF any one whom they have
reason to suspect will be found wanting
wnen mee ee ns sch es cases that the ae
to impcach the President win be equivalent to the
utter ruin OF the radical party so the watchword is
Representatives who have placed themselves on the
record on the vote on the resolution Of the House
articles prepared by the committee appointed
for the purpose OF preferring charges, admit this
logic matter OF expediency, but, for fear OF
claring they have done their duty in arragning Pre-.
sident Johnson for acts which they considered vo-
lation Of the constitution and laws of the United
States. II the verdict Of the court be adverse TO
their charges they have done no harm, and at
the same time have not been backward In
the performance OF their duty as guardians
OF the liberties Of the people. This species OF sefsat-
isfyng argument In presumed 10 cover both sides OF
the question and will, 1t IL thought, be q sufficient
assurance to their constituents at home that their
action was entirely prompted by remarkable
consideration OF the welfare Of those who sent them
here
The lobbyists In lugubrious frame OF mind over
the impeachment movement, and are in favor, indif.
ferently OF either extreme, TO knock the
thing In the head at once or TO rush
II through at lightning speed. They perceive
In the distance an entire suspension OF legislation,
and IA a consequence their operations Will be en-
tirely suspended by proonging the trial 1t under
stood the remainder OF the session will be devoted
to business Of the most pressing necessity In order
TO admit Of an early adjournment. To this course
theyobby is emphatcay opposed and 1t is not In the
least doubtful Will try their hand by way OF pastne
in hurrylBg up the proceedings Of the High Court VI
impeachment.
THE HIGH COURT OF IMPEACHMENT.
~ r A. r.