Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-05-12
NUMBER XXXVI.
CONGRESSIONAL.

cluOeQ as IOll0WS.
Now listen for moment to one who under
stands Andrew johnson better than most Of you
| tor his opportunities have been greater. VIXEN
nearly two years ago he called me from the par
suits Of professional life to take a seat In his
Cabinet l answered the call under a sense of
public duty. l came here almost stranger to
him, and to every member of the Cabinet ex-
cept Mr. Stanton, and we had been friends for
many years. Senators, need tell you that all
my tendencies are Conservative. You, Mr..
Chief Justice, who have known me for third
Of a century, can bear me witness that the law,
not arms, is my profession.
From the moment that | was honored with
seat in the Cabinet of Mr. johnson, not step
was taken that did not come under my observa-
tion, not word was said that escaped my at
tention. l regarded him closely in Cabinet and
still more in private and confidential conversa-
tlons. l saw him often tempted with bad ad-
vice L knew that evil counsellors were more
than once around him. / observed him with
the most intense anxiety, but never in word, Sin
deed, IN thought or in action did / discover in
that man anything but loyalty to the Constitu-
ton and the laws. He stood firm as a rock
against all temptation to abase his own powers,
or exercise those which were not conferred up-
on him. Steadfast and selfreliant in the midst
OF all difficulty, when dangers threatened and
temptations were strong, he looked only to the
Constitution of his country and to the people.
Yes, Senators, have seen that man tried as
few have been tried-I have seen his confidence
abused-I have seen him endure, day after day.
provocations such as few men have been called
on to meet. No man could have met them with
more sublime patience. Sooner or later, how
ever, j.! knew the explosion must come, and
when 1t did come, my wonder was only that it
had been so long delayed
YoS Snnat0rc tho proc;Jont ,r,tl III
faults, has been more sinned against than SIN
ming. Fear not then to acquit him. The Con-
stltutlon OF the country is as safe in his hands
from violence, as it was in the hands of Wash
ilngton. But If, Senators, you condemn him,
It you strip him of the robes of Office, if YOU
degrade him to the utmost stretch of YOU power.
mark the prophecy The strong arm of the
people will be about him. They will find way
to raise him from any depths to which you NAV
conslgn him, and we shall live to see him re-
deemed, and to hear that majestic voice of the
people say, ''Well done thou faithful servant.
you shall have your reward!'' But if Senators.
as cannot believe, but as has been boldly said.
with almost official sanction, your votes have
been canvassed and the doom of the President
sealed, then let not that judgment be pronounce
ed in this Senate chamber, just here where our
Camillus, in the hour of our greatest pcril
single-handed, met and baf1ed the enemies of
the republic; not here, where he stood faithful
among the taithless; not here, where he fought
the good hight tor the Union and the Constitu-
ton; not in this chamber whose walls echo
with that clarion voice, that in the days of our
greatest danger carried hope and comfort to
many desponding heart, strong as an army
with banners No, not here. Seek out rather
the darkest and gloomiest chamber in the sub
terranean recesses of the capitol. where the
cheerful light of day never enters. There erect
the altar and immediate the victim.
House-Atter the return from the trial. DON
nelly, OF Minnesota, made personal explana-
ton. Washburne, of Illinois, wrote letter to
Doanely,s constituents denouncing him. Dom
nelly SAID the letter contained tWenty-four false
statements. Donnelly, proceeded for an bonr
and half in the most bitter invective.
The Speaker called him to order half dozen
times, but Washburne said let the party 90 on.
and the House not objecting, he went on. Dom
nelly had the letter read, going to show that
Washburne had outrageously slandered him.
Washburn replied, re-iterating the truth of
his letter, and saying he could make no answer
to man who had been false to his friends. his
party his country, his religion and his God.
Pending motion to censure Wasbbnrn the
House adjourned
SENATE. Monday, May 4.-The Court of
Impeachment was opened at II NJ and Mr..
Bingham proceeded to deliver the closing argu-
ment on the part of the prosecution. At $50
T. NJ, Mr. Bingham, without concluding his
remarks, gave way and the Court adjourned
The Senate was then called to order and imme.
diately afterwards adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, House
met at II NJ. and proceeded in Committee of
the Whole to attend the impeachment trial
At the conclusion of the proceedings the mem
bers returned to the Hall and the House was
again called to order. Mr.. Window offered
preamble and resolution setting forth that as
Mr. b. B. Washburne, member of the House.
did, on the 18th OF April, 1868, allow letter
charges derogatory to the character of Mr.
lgnatlus Donnelly, also memberof the House,
and subsequently on the I'd of May reiterated
the charges made in the said letter on the floor
OF the House, select committee of seven shall
be appointed to investigate the charges made,
with power to send for persons and papers.