New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-04-27

Er,r ri In tsns the votes The Senate articles onpeaeh
Zach article propose tie following question in the mapaer oosae
hL how ss YOU is the TeGendent gay or not S g - ne
ii. place aud answer; Guilty OF Not guilty. IN :, M
presiding oeer forthwith to pronounce the removal from oee Of ls
ray further judgment shall he the order Oft Senate
Senator Johnson sgai4 9Recting the rules went over
MIR. GROEsBECKs SPEECH,
Nh. CHEF-JUsTIcE AND SENAIQRsi am sorry that !
not well to-day as should Ike to be, but know
the desire OF the senate to get with this argument and
have therefore preferred to come here this morning anu
e6 ~ y Pr Tespcndent In this case Since the organi
cation OF Government have had five trials on M
peacbment: one of a Senator and four Of Judges who
have held their office by appointment and for
tenure during life and good behavior III mas
of republic or a republican government, 10 avail itself
of the remedy O Impeachment for the regulation OF all
elective Officers Impeachment was not invented for that
purls but rather to lay hold of offices that held
by Inheritance and for life And the true policy of
republican government according to my apprehension
is 10 leave these TO the people They are the great
aud supreme tribunal 10 lay just such Questions before
single object of deciding whether an officer shall he con
tnued, or whether he shall be removed from once; l
such case as this before you; but it is here and
must be tired and therefore proceed as promised at
outset TO say what may be abe 70 say Oh Deha oi
the respondent - A., o..,or
propounded Is the body now sitting 70 oeterns
tie accusation Of the House OF Representatives aea7l
United States sitting COurti The argument goes ON
Ca admit that if this body is court IN any manner as
lie cased NAV claim the benefit OF the Of criminal
cases and ne can only be convicted when the evidence
view of Ills statement and u view of the alored effort
which has been made by the Managers IL this cause
ask Senator's YOUR attention TO the question. In what
character do YOU proceed to this trial We have heard
elaborate and prOraced discussion to show that yon do
not sit rs "a court Managers have even taken Ohese
at any such recognition Of your character. For
that will not aude tohey nave done even
more and claimed for this body the most e1traOiunaly
jurisdiction. Admitting that II was constitutional
tribunal they have yet claimed that IL knew DO law
fltarzf afuteo m
dents those of parliamentary bodies; that 1t was
law itself; word that It's jurisdiction was with
ont bOunds-it may mpeach from any cause and there
was appeal from its Judgment; that the Constitution
would appear to give somewhat OF its Jurisdiction hut
everything il may deem impeachable becomes such at
once; and when tue words high crimes and msdenean-
Ors used IN that instruentthey are without sign
cation and intended merely 70 give soennlty to the triDu-
nal T. sustain this extraordinary view OF me character
Of this tribunal have been referred to English preee-
dents and especially TO carly English precedents When
according 10 my recOlectlOh' Impeachment ana
attaindcT, and bills OF pains anu pehdIlless, nave
abored together the work OF murder and condSeaton
senators do not propose 70 nSSI "o o ms e snc
We have teachings OF our Own. linus we Know
our fathers in framing the Constitution were jealous OF
degatinc other powers and tried TO make limited con
SiltuOna Government tried 10 enunelate an Tue pow
els they were willing entrust 70 any department OF H.
Tile Executive Department is limited, the Judicial De
llrtment limited, and the legislative Department. we
nave supposed Also limited But according 10 Ine
argument Iuade this trial, 10 Is o'u'rwlse hd ~
ia its service and at its command an is jnilon ta >
above all laws, ana Acknowledges no restraint An si
uOn worst than Cuurtartial, In that II has broader
and more dangerous jurisdiction. Senator'S cannot be-
The Constitution any such tribunal as this and invlte
Nour al tcui0n brief examination OF our own aulhOF
lie. and of our teachings this subject IL was
with much doubt and hesitation that the jurisdiction 10
try mpeachnent at all was entrusted 10 the senate OF
the United states The grant Of Jurisdiction 10 the
senate was deferred 10 the last moment of time nor
Was yonr jurisdiction overlooked. Allow me 10 call
your attention 10 the proceedings in the Federal
Convention upOn this subject. In the first report that
Was presented they proposed TO allow Impeachment for
Inalprnctce or gect duty 1t will be observed that
This il very Euglishke and very broad There - not
NECESSARILY crime In the Jurisdiction here proposed
Ia be- conferred. In the next report they propose
allow tribunal jurisdiction over treason bribery, and
away from tire English precedent and 10 approach the
final result III which they arrived The jurisdiction Is
partly criminal and partly broad and open-not
sirily inVot uC crniualty. In the next report tbs
very 0uestou of Jurisdiction they reported TO the Senate
rather the supreme Court or the united Niacs. Ia
which body up 10 the very last moment they cOiidcd
jurisdiction Ia the next report they proposed 10 allow
Jurisdiction for or bribery n0tlng else IL viii
be observed that there nothing nut gross hagfaut
crime and that owes the jurisdiction thai we hayeIn tho
present Constitution; treason, brDery ana al Other high
crimes ami lsde not inapfactces not NEGLECT
Of duty nothing that left The jurisdiction open The
Jurisdiction SHORT and lDlted by any iar construction
~ this language and II was lptehdeu 70 bt .hOii.
We have ON prcCcdeuts this sniqect ana VIII
call your attention 10 them We have had iuhf lrais 0i
Hpc.tchIuct The tIned States The nfat wn it case
OF B0unf WHAT che language Of the tribunal ~ That
trial when came Ia make mai decision dld 30 m
This language The Court Is al opinion mat tue bhtci
seged sufficient In law Ia show tiLn mus Court
uaght 10 hold jurisdiction Oi this Dprachmeld ina n
good authority 10 - the deliberate opinion 0 ihe Sciic
raring ITSELF in the most solemn language which 10 at
tered during te trial, IT'S final opinion HAT twas conn
aid lnqhest office, uaTclcSs thing cal
edated only tO brighten te utd What j. the neat ca'f