Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-03-24
s'THEsI1EPEACHMENT.


all The. States were not represented, and that,
therefore, the Senate could not sit to try this
cause This led to goOd deal Of feeling on
the part of Mr.. Howard and others, who want
Ell to exclude its reception. This last was
overruled, and then the. order rejected, only
two voting affirmatively.
Judge Curtis, then, after stating the very
brief time that had been allowed the President S
counsel in which to prepare their answer, pro
ceeded to read the formal answer of the Presi
dent to the arraignment of the House mana
GERS, The document was long, but it was
Wcipbty, compact, and marching up to the points
made by the eleven articles The Senate, gen
orally, gave it very close attention, especially
those who rank among the ablest OF the body.
The President makes his answer at length to
the first article, rcciting the date OF Stanton S
original commission, and the law oil lS9 creating
the Office that he never appointed Mr.. Stan
ton, and about the 9Th of August, 1867, being
unable to hold consultation with sand Stanton,
or to trust him with the public business, sent
him q letter requesting his resignation. The
correspondence and subsequent steps IN the
matter arc detailed, and also the PRESIDENT 5
message, and the motives by which he has been
guided It appears from these that the PrcSl-
dent maintains that under the Constitution he
has the power to remove; that this cannot
rightlully be taken away by Congress, and that
it was not taken away in respect to Cabinet Of
ficers by the first section oil the tcnurcol, otl!cc
law. Anxious not to have Il conflict with the
Senate, the PRESIDENT gave his reasons to the
Senate for the suspension OF stanton, put IN
making the suspension he had acted under his
constitutional power as President. In appoint
inc Gen. Thomas he had only aimed to obtain
a iudicai decision by the u. S. Supreme Court
The answers to the eight articles following
we're read by Mr. Stanbery, in order to relieve
Judge Curtis. These answers deny all viola
ton of Jaw-dcny the charge OF threats, in
timidation, or conspiracy. In answer to the
ninth article, the President says he did not at
tempt to induce Gen Emory to disobcy any
law but that when tho Gen. called his attcn-
ton to the order Of Gen. Grant he expressed
the opinion that it was contrary to the COnStl-
tuition, which makes the President commander
in chicf of the army and navy, and contrary to
his (Gen. Emory's) commission.
Mr. Eqarts read the answer to the famous But
Ter article. The President denies the correct
ness of the reports of his speeches, and insists
that proof be made lie denies any attempt
to set aside the rightful authority OF Congress;
thinks, and has contcnded, that various States
have been wrongfully denied representation,
and that this is not 4 Congress of all the States
but only part of the States, but has, never
theless, signed all bills not clearly unconsttu-
tiona or incxpcdicnt Finally, the President
claims the right, both Is 4 private citizen and
in his political capacity, to discuss the mca-
surcs and policy OF Congress before the people,
subject only to the same limitations rs those
affecting any other citizen or official in the land.
The language OF this part Of the answer is ncr-
vous and emphatic; and the whole answer,
will commend itself TO the popular judgment.
Its tone is respectful, but firm; the argument
is solid, and, while there is no counter assault,
the unduestionablc effect is to put Congress
itself on the defensive, and TO call attention to
the alarming train Of usurpations by which the
present climax has been reached, where the
wrongdocr brings his victim into court, with
his own accomplices for jurors.
Mr.. Boutwell, announced that the rcphca-
ton would be ready by to-day at one o'clock.
He asked for copy Of the answer. -
Mr.. Evarts asked for reasonable time tor
preparation of the case. SO far their whole
time had been taken up in preparing the
answer. 10 order to examine properly the
questions of law involved, Their OF evidence,
Nc, they desired thirty DAYS
At this point Mr.. Sumner became greatly
alarmed for fear the thirty days were to be
allowed men, con. He proposed to hear the
House managers lirsta palpable suggestion
to those modest gentlemen to speak quickly.
off half cooked The application Tor copy
had to be first acted on, and was granted, OF
COURSE .. F.: .... .. ....... ...s.-.... 49,. ...
Gen. Logan, rose to cnlighten the honorable
Court as to time. Even Radical Senators grew
listlcss; and could not see why the manager
should travel so YEARLY over ard over again
the same ground The contrast WAS marked III
deed-not merely as to manner and style OF
speaking but as to matter, between Gen. Lo-
gan and Mr.. Evarts, who followed hlm-close,
logical, incsive-With q touch OF irony and sal-
cas1n as fine as Damascus blade. lie sad,
among other things, that it was no answer to
the point that there would be haste and pres
sure put upon them in preparing to reply that
there would be equal haste and pressure upon
the House managers. Mr.. Wilson came next,
something OF an improvement upon Logan,
but failing in dignity and elevation far below
his former speeches against mpcachmcnt IN the
House, .... ~ aa.... 4. ...ass.4
Mr.. Stanbery made very candid, cogent ap-
peal for time remarking that:onIy eight work
inc days had been allowed them to prepare
their answer; it's preparation had consumed
every hour they conld spare day and night, and
he was sorry to say that they had been forced
to work even upon Sunday They had had no
time to summon or arrange for witnesses, On
the contrary, the managers had been prerar
ing their witnesses while the Presidents conn
sci were preparing their answer.
MIR. Bingham here claimed the right to open
and close The debate for the managers on ait
questions and tnen proceeded to deliver him,
self of one of his usual violent harangues,
abusing Mr., johnson roundly.. 1t was obvious
from this and other speeches that the answer
ofthe President had told as centre shot, and
the parties hurt were by no means pleased
thereat. l.. ~ 10 49,.
Mr.. Henderson submitted a motion to defer
the decision on the question Of granting time
until after replication shall be filed; but Mr.
Butler took exception to this and insisted