The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-02-29
IMPEACHMENT.
THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE RESUMED
AND CONCLUDED.
Speeches by Washburne. Wilson, Stevens,
Wood, Woodbridge, and others.

On the 24ih-the House of Representatives re.
sumed the consideration Of the impeachment res.
olution, the interval between 10 O'Clock and noon
being technically regarded as belonging to the
session Of Saturday. The desks of the members
were very sparsely occupied at the opening of the
proceedings, bot every seat In the gallery, save
some in the diplomatic gallery, was filed.
The debate was opened by Mr.. Ashley. Of Ohio,
who, 10 the course of his remarks, said the House
was now brought face tc~face with q man who
was recognized as an enemy Of ths- government,
AID q strong ally and friend of the lost cause
a man whose public and private acts had been
marked by violations of law. Dare the House
longer shrink from the exercise of its power in
TescuiDg the government from the usurper, and
thus proclsiming that the government was one Of
constitutional law and not Of usurped powers!
When two months ago the House voted down
impeachment he had encouraged loyal TO
keep their hearts, and that time would vindicate
them. He did not now exult in that vindicatOn.
He had much raihsr that. the acts of the acct
dental president would fall TO the ground, that
he had so administered the government as 10
bring il back to the paths Of peace, union, and
prosperity.
The impeachment of this man was necessary, if
not for the Union. at least to teach lesson to
future presidents, and 10 vindicate the matchless
Constitution Of the country.
Mr.. Cook, being allowed one minute remaining
UneypiTed from Ashley's time, declared that 10
voting for the resolution Of impeach nent be held
that not only had the tenure Of Office law been
violated by the president, but il that law had not
been in existence the president had exercised a
power entirely unwarranted by the Constitution
ard laws OF the United States.
Mr.. Boyer addressed the House In opposition
TO the resolutiOn and commended that even though
The tenure of Office law were constitutional, there
was no violation of it, either in letter or spirit, in
the removal of Mr. Stanton. Mr.. Stanton was an
sppointee of Abraham Lincoln, aud II the act
had been in existence one month after the termi-
nation of Mr.. LincOln's administration, his fanc-
items rs secretary of war would have ceased by
the very terms Il the act, and he had ever since
continued 10 Office simply at the pleasure of the
president. He de6ed any gentleman on the other
ssde to point out any provision OF the tenure OF
= Office la which had been violated by the presi-
dent. II any person had violated the Law in this
matter it was Edwin Stanton himself, who was
holding on to the Office af'er his term had
expired.
Mr.. Kel ey addressed the House in support of
the resolution, arguing Is z question of Law that
the president shsRt en- Gu elected 10 reference
M for the ensuing yes,5S;o a a.rrs in Mr.
ri JNo Hgf.setis'' smpt
nov. LANArA, ~
A. eARh,ERE.
IL s.ocreding, and the court hayiog
iuI isdci.on OF the ofiense must necessarily have
luIisdiciiOn of the person OF the criminal, and
have full control Of his movements the criminal,
as amatier Of course, had no power to perform
his functions.
Mr.. Cake supported the resolution Of mpeach-
ment. He believed the public niad was ready
was to trhe with the just demand Of the loyal
men Of the nation. Around Edwi NJ Stanton
we're gathering the sympaihies of the people.
:. Beamsn followed on the same side, but
ding one minute TO Mr.. Price, who said for
o long years the people ia Congress aud the
yeople out Of Congress had been keeping watch
1.-THE portals of liberty, and that An
.Dson, with a recklessness peculiar t.
himself. was rushing madly and furioasly ION
Mr. Biaine said the House about to act
under the plaiu authority of the Constitution
There was question OF law involved Ia tha
meter at all. The president bad openly and
plainly violated the law, thrown down the gaunt
let and dared Congress to the issue. Congress
must accept the challenge and must meet the
lksUe.
Mr.. briggs said if the whole Democratic party,
ard every other party, were clsmoring at the
door of Congress, and seeking vengeance against
every man who supported the impeachment reso-
luton, he trusted there was not a me n0er pre-.
sent would not vote for It on conviction, without
regard 10 any threats.
Mr.. Washbnrne, Of Illinois, declared be should
vote for the resolui ton before the House, acting
with majority Of the Republican members. He
had not hitherto favored impeachment against the
president, not because he did not believe him NOR
ally guilty Of improbable ofenses; not be.
cause be did not execrate his administration, bat
Koricst ibakiAlhe cause as heretofore
Ine sablis are hot,Asa doubt OF his convic-
\ kLkINcSsll ssA.s- lssSout on a doubtful expe-
k-ymenS, n the hope that the president, warned
of the power OF the Rouse, auo lnoeDleI
for it's fOrbearance, would so conduct himself
as to avoid the necessity OF resorting to rhe ex-
IRENE remedy provided by the Constitution.
But oil such hopes had been disappointed. Every
act Of forbearance had been but fresh invita-
ton to further and more fagrant aggression,
until at last he had flung himself against the
very bulwaiks of the Constitution. defying
tkt laws and overriding the coordinate branches
OF the government. The time had now arrived
when the peoples representatives could no longer
DELAY the NipdcatiOn of the Consultation. To
him the pathway of duty was plain. He
eeorned the threat which had been made upon
the floor He feared no appeal to the people,
but courted such appeal. The gentlemen had
not ad history if they had not learned that in all
No e.~ts between an executive aud the commons,
~ he had frinm had