Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-11
Impeachment.

A greks trial Is upon the nation. II has been
from the day that Andrew johnson, drunk and
maudn, became, by the bullet Of the assassin, the
President Of the mightiest government on earth
Good men have torborne and endured until the
President tempted destiny little TOO fsr-rather,
We may say, entirely too far.
When Andrew johnson, with the oath upon him
10 see that the laws properly executed usurped
10 himself the powers Of the Judiciary, aud because
he did not like the law and still less liked the OIL
Ger appointed under the law, set the example Of
violating the law and dofying the law-making body,
the lower House Of Congress had no other course
before il than 10 present him TO the Senate guilty
Of high crimes and misdemeanOrs.' To have hes
itated and declined to act e. they have would have
made them the guilty sccOmplices Of a law-defy
ng Constitution-disobeying President in his high
handed crime. They net tho solemn issue with
srmness and decsiveness worthy of the occasion.
All true men in the Republic sustain the dignifed
snS patriotic course Of our Representatives in pre-
sentng Mr.. Johnson and preferring articles Of inn
peAchment.
The Senate has now the high responsibility Of
deciding the rnomentous questions thrown upon 1t.
Cuestions these, which involve the fate of tho ma
tIoB. We allow ourselves 20 doubt that they
ia be found equal 10 the crisis. The facts are
ample, pertinent, comprehensive Every intcll-
ssHt sitzsn is able 30 decide upon them without de-
Jay. In the Judgment - -'ne-ianthA Of the loyal
rnstses Of the people that judgment has already
been pronounced. It's enunOistioD, omOsslIy. and
through tho constitutional forms Of law, viii DC
sustained BY the American people with an unanim-
Nv and enthusssm seldom accorded TO the wiaest
legislation Of Congress. What else can the Senate
10 than impeach The great usurper II they regard
the safety Of the government?
lie stated that in the McArde case the L. 8
supreme Court viii End the reconstruction laws
unconstitutional by vote Of to 3. Suppose this
should be the fact, what follows If Mr. johnson
should be acquitted The blood Of half million
If cur brsyest and our nobest will have been poured
nut in vain, the billions Of our national treasure
viii have been worse than wasted reoonstruction
and emancipation will prove a huge abortion 10y
,ltv will be dishouorsd, degraded defeated treason
win ~ rewarded with the spells Of place and Office,
and .bs men who originated rebellion as well SIS
those who sympathized with 1.-THE guiltier rebels
Of the two-will again seize the reigns OF power
and vbeln, the nation in oppression, anarchy and
ruin.
Never, therefore, was weightier responsibility
GtvOlvsd upon body OF men thau tnAI no" ieS''Ns
upop the United States Senate. That they will be
Arm. fearless united, and award the long merited
ssposition Of Andrew johnson and the deliverance
which The imperilled life OF the nation demands at
their hands, their whole glorious record is the guar
sntes.
Oar government has safely passed through great
crises. II has suppressed the greatest and most
csuseless rebellion known 70 history. 1t has s"ed
foreign powers from joining the formidable cause OF
= gigantic rebellion. II has raised monies, equip
ped armies and risen in strength and resources Win
every added peril, as other governmeni ever mas
done or ever could DO This crisis the greatest OF
them all which, more than ever, will be strain
upon cur institutions will, we have full hope DC
safely passed, and il viii be found that impeaeh-
Ensnt Of the President will give the long agonisoa
and distracted country and government peace s'a-
bility, unity, liberty and progress.
We say 20 our Senators, stand hrmly Deelue
without passion and without shrinking. The eyes
Of the nation, Of the civilized world Of all human
iiy, are upon you. Immortality or MANY the
shouis of delivered rescued nation, or the eAeofa
tious Of people cast into abysmsl ruin attend
upon your decision. May God send true denver
Enoe.