The New York herald., 1868-04-13
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALD.


sontiment-The Reticent senators-Parti~ an
Indiscretion-The Presidents Position-The
Ticket System and a New Rebellion-The
Vice Presidency-Wade Ahead.
WASHINGTON, April IL, 1868.
Reviewing the popular sentiment, in view Of its
fluctuations from the commencement OF the impeach-
ment trial to the present time II is astonishing to
what an extent the opinion has become prevalent that
the President will be acquitted This idea is not
based upon any new revelations, nor upon any
declarations OF those who have exclusive control
OF the final issue. II is solely attributable
TO the fact that the Managers have utterly failed to
produce case that carries conviction to the minds
OF any, save such as are committed from motives OF
interest or are bound by the shackles OF party. In
matter upon which SO much interest centres 1t is
natural that the intelligent spectators, who have
watched the progress Of the trial, should express
themselves freely to the merits Of the case and the
weight and value OF the testimony and arguments.
These expressions are tempered somewhat, Of
course, by the political prejudices Of those who utter
them, nevertheless they entitled to some weight
and Will command more or less attention. To say
then that no candid man. OF whatever political party
has the courage to affirm that the impeachers have
shown that the President by single act has done
anything worthy Of Impeachment, isnot exaggerating
or giving undue prominence to the prodominating
feeling. ,,s >f..~
In demanding verdict Of guilty the radicals are
reckessly consistent. While strangers here, who
come from distance to witness the trial, admit the
insuniciency of the claim for conviction, they read
ly adopt the popular argument that the arbitrary law
Of necessity must and shall prevail. The radical
members OF ne House openly proclaim this, the
fanatical po ION Of the "High Court" reiterate it,
and every night 1t is sent over the wires, and occa-
c;o IIv undo Z hv tvv atamn NJ thn
General of the Armies. The strait to which the
party is reduced is readily admitted. There is no
attempt to conceal the terrible extremity to which 1t
Is reduced. To acqut the President s to decline to
rule, to accept ruin and to convict Grant. To avert
these is the daily and nightly ONCE of those who sit
at the feet Of ancient Thaddeus and gather that Pc
culiar quality of wisdom which has latterly dstin.
guished his utterances. It is true, conceal it they
may, they labor with that fear and trembling which
doubt imposes They suffer the torture of suspense
and insecurity because with all their assurance and
hravado, they cannot assume with perfect confidence
that impeachneht Is III :.ss ;;;ccsc,n, as we shall
presently show.
Notwithstanding the extraordinary efforts that
have been used to discover the status Of the Senate
upon the momentous question now under investiga-
tion there have not thus far been any result that
are in the least satisfactory conclusive The reu
are prevalent as to how they will record their otes
in deciding the verdict and if the popular bias avors
the idea that they viii be for acquittal is only be-
cause they have iudciously refraned from any utter
ances that would give clue TO their private senti-
ments; or rather, because they have resisted the i'm
portunities Of those who have already decided the
contest In favor Of Mr.. Wade IL Is naturally inferred
that they have strength and integrity to Judge the
cordance with their oath-bound pledge 1t Is certain,
at all events that these men are bullet proof against
the eors f Oh partisan Jurors VINO 40 not restrain
sstance has any significance II favors the President
only in this-that his acts may, to some extent be
judged by the law and the evidence.
The anxiety OF the leading radicals OF the Senate
and House to induce cOmmittal on the part OF q
sufficient number to insure verdict OF guilty has
lattery been apparent not only to provoke CON-
ment and censure, but 1t has also exposed the most
glaring acts OF indscreton. 1t has exhibited the
weakness OF the prosecution, the failure of the
Managers to present strong case and the necessity
for demanding conviction to save the party from the
effects or to avoid the fatal consequences they entail
AS an Offset the conspicuous actors in the plot are
charging that the President has also endeavored
to bring influences to bear upon members Of the
court in order TO procure their votes against convic
ton but on his part he invites the most searching in
vestigation, and denies that IL is possible to show
that single member has been approached In his
self any acting for him that would bear con-
sructon inconsistent with the most fastdiouS
ideas Of honor and Justice II must be remembered
that a number Of responsible and very lucrative Of
fees are now vacant which the President has power
to ILL., and that he could offer very tempting induce
ments If he felt inclined to resort to this kind Of
strategy. He feels conscious, however, that he has
not In Ills official capacity transcended constitu-
tional limits: that he has been governed in All his
Official acts by his conscientious convictions, con-
frmed by sound legal advice; he hopes for fair and
impartial trial and 10 be judged by the only guides
that honorable men, who value their reputation and
place proper estimate upon their solemn obga-
tions, can adopt. and whatever may be the result,
even though II be adverse TO meet II brayey. lie
has weighed the whole matter deliberately, and is
resolved that the few months remaining OF his official
term would be dearly purchased by any act that
could bring reproach upon him or his friends. The
partisan cry Of "crucify him" has prepared him
somewhat for consummation corresponding with
the demand OF his enemies, and he has learned
to contemplate II complacenty and somewhat
with the courage OF martyr whose sacrifice
might arrest the ruinous consequences that are daily
accumuating under the practical working OF the
Congressional policy. If nc has ut times felt natu-
raj interest in the personal effects OF impeachment,
the political significance attached TO 1t by those who
have 1t in hand has induced him to sink his indi-
vidual identity in view OF the Tetrbutive results that
such are the convictions he candidly expresses
to his frends, vis he at the same time feels conf
dent that he VIII fully y,,ndicate himself before the
country, and that his defence WIN ~ ~ powerful
ana conclusive refutation Of all the charges,
esng @ 4 & & ss tSss hs S
him by his prosecutors Is proper tQ say that this
idea mostlkey to gain popularity here where every
event connected with the trial freely discussed II
transpres, and where an opportunity is afforded
for reelection upon casual remarks emanating from
sources entitled TO consideration IL cannot be
doubted that some OF the more sanacOlls
ing members OF the radical party, upon whom por-
ton OF the responsibility involved In the rests
are uncomfortably conscious OF the crushing weight
OF the Impeachment elephant Claiming as they do
an ordinary degree OF foresight and the faculty of
estimating loss and gam, they do not fail TO that
their present attitude Is startling even 10 men OF
courage and decision. Their task Is simply 10 de-
termine whether or not the President Ia to be ad-
judged guilty against law reason end that ,,wn CON
victons in response TO partisan .uo,d r,n n,ne S
iion is, would convctio1 se.,e the partv, and This
suggests a. the sun more .nomentous one would not
Mrgnng JuuemsH"-one that the people would not
sustain.,9p' mat thev would estimate according 10
lts psr.,san bas-ulumatc la irretreyable ruin
V"ese are weglty considerations which force them.
eeyes upOu the minds OF conscientious Senators and
make themselves visible IN their wearing and ha-
RAISING influence. There Is evidently strife between
conscience and the unyieldng demands of partisan
leaders. To convict upon so poor showing, II would
seem, ought 10 require vast amount OF reckless
bravery, and more than can confidently be counted
on for so questionable purpose.