The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-04-24
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, April %.
SENATE.


Court meet hereafter at II o'clock, but
being objected to, it laid over.
At 1l:20 Mr.. Boutwell, resumed his adj
dress.
When Mr.. Boutwell, had concluded, at
7:05, on motion of Mr.. johnson the
Court took recess of Is minutes.
On reassembling, at lao, Mr.. Nelson
took the floor and delivered an extern
pore address. After alludipg to the
magnitude of the case and to what he
deemed his own inability properly to
treat it, he said he should consider
many points which, though not rightly
belonging to the ease, required atten-
ton because they had been introduced
by the Managers. He referred to the
charges of evil nature, wickedness and
detestable character which had been
brought against the President, which
so far had remained unnoticed by his
counsel. The President vas accused Of
being everything, from political Grim
inal to common sCoid. These accusa-
tions, stiginas and aspersions he intend
ed to examine.
Mr.. Nelson then asked "who is An
drew Johnsonw and proceeded to sketch
the Presidents early life and career,
and passed high encoBiuln on his pa
triotism and public services, referring
also TO the fact that his neighbors and
those who like himself (Nelson) knew
him best sustained him and believed
him innocent Mr.. Nelson felt that he
was not addressing merely Senators
or politicians, but Judges, whom lie
begged to rise above prejudice or party
considerations ana do Impartial Justice.
Referring to the immense outside pres
sure which it was impossible to conceal,
unworthy persons and journals sought
to bring to bear upon them he said he
was confident that they would repel it
with indignation. If he could believe
that the result of the trial was a fore
gone conclusion, humble individual
that he was, he would scOrn to address
them. He asked them as far as pessi-
bic to put themselves in the Presidents
place, and judge of his feelings, and
motives anu Intentions, a privilege ac-
corded to the meanest criminal.
Citing the resolution declaratory of
the purposes of the war, which was in
troduccd by Senator Johnson just after
the cattle of Bull Run, was passed by
Congress and still remains unrepealed.
he claimed that the President had acted
upon and still maintained its prinei-
pies.
Ilo argued that President Johnson,
after the surrender of General Lee, en-
dearored faithfully TO carry ont the
policy of his predecessor, which was
based upon that resolution. Although
Senators may conscientiously believe
he was wron. in bis action regarding
the new State governments, they must
admit that there 10 no express provision
in the Constellation for reconstruction,
and that the President had right to
his own opinion, more especially as
peace had not been fully restored and
the necessity for prompt action was
pressing. Honesty and integrity ofmo-
tive must i'll charity be presumed in
such case. ..-...
Referring to the recognition by Con-
gress ola State governemeBt in Virginia,
formed without the passage of any re-
construction act, he claimed that Con-.
greSs had also justified the Presidents
policy. Congress had also, in act of
March 1sr, 1868, dated the cessation of
the war from August 1866, the time fixed
on in the Presidents proclamation, thus
recognized its validity; and also he
(Nelson) claimed the fact that the rebel
States had not yet been out of the
Union.
Having thus endeavored to dispose of
the charges of usurpation, &c, based
on the Presidents conduct in former
years, Mr.. Nelson said he would con-
slider the important question, whether
or not this body is a court. He denied
that authority or precedent was to be
found for its guidance i'll Parliament
exception in the same way that history
was to be consulted This is the tribu-
nal of the Constitution.
Mr.. Nelson then quoted from debates
on the formation of the Constitution in
support of his view that the Chief
Justice was called upon to preside rs
Judge and was expected TO state the
law and also decide i'll the first instance
upon all law questions which arise. He
further contended that the word trial
in the constitutional provision for i'm
parchment shows the judicial charac-
ter of the Senate at that time. He pro-
ceeded to characterize the propositions
advanced by the Managers that the
Senate was bound by no common or
statute laws, bat was law unto itseslf,
and that common fame was sufficient
evidence ard ground for it's action, as q
startling declaration, fraught with dan
ger to the country. He held that they
must consider their case very lame, if
forced to receive evidence oil common
fame, which the old adage says sis Il
common liar.n In the lowest Courts
and by Courts alone are Justice and
equality mentioned. No such claims
would be advanced, and their very
oaths showed that they were bound by
the law.
He denounced as morally improper
the considerations put forward by the
Managers that the people of the country
demanded conviction, and that the
public pulse beat fitfully, while they
delayed it.
Mr.. Nelson then discussed the mean
ing of the terms treason, bribery and
other crimes aud miSdcmGanors. He
held that as at the state of the forma
ton of the Constitution treason was
punishable with death while bribery
was not, the word crimes" must be
construed with the fermer and the word
"miSdemcanor" with the latter, hence
that no offence is Improbable that is
not u misdemeanor of the class IT, which
bribery then belonged.
At this point, o'clock, on motion of
Mr.. Yates, the Court adjourned and the
Senate also after brief legislative
session.
Washington Hens
WASHINGTON, April 23.-Official re-
turns from the Indian country confirm