Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-03-07
the score Of coustitutIonaIy as in the present in

the score Of constitutiOnzity in the present in
have appealed, or sought 70 appeal, to but final
arbter fixed by the Constitution for toe determination
OF all such questions at this course. have Sen i'm
PEELED by the solemn obligations which rest upoS
to sustain, invioate, the powers Of the nigh oSice
committed TO my hands, 1hatever be the consequen-
ces merely personal . myseh ] could not allow
own mind, and 81 imperative, II what wss POSSIBLE
had been certain. IL had been fully advised when
| removed Mr.. stanton, that In thus defending the
trust committed 70 y hands, my own removaI was
to follow, could not have hesitsted, aetuated
by public considerations of the highest character 1
which charges me In what have DONE with violation
Of the Constitution and Laws Of the United States
tsignedl ANDREW JOHNSON.
ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-The commit
tee upon the articles of Impeachment
was in session most of yesterday. Gen
erals Emory and Thomas were among
the most important witnesses examined.
The committee has virtually agreed
upon five articles, and there may be
seven. An article charging violation
of the law in creating tine Departments
of the Atlantic was discussed, but will
probably be laid aside, as the purpose
is to avoid all except the plainest and
unquestionable misdemeanors, and also
such as would call for the summoning
of witnesses from distance. A prop
osition to frame an article upon certain
features of the removal of Gen. Ord and
appointment of General Gillem, in
volving a direct purpose on tie part
of the President TO defeat reconstruc-
tion, was under consideration. This
will probably be ruled out, because it
might involve bringing witnesses from
Cuba if the President desired. There
will be further meeting of the com
mIttee in the morning, and several
points not yet fully decided will be de-
termined and completed. The articles
will be submitted about one O'Clock,
with requent for recommitment for
the purpose of printing. If this course
is taken, the articles will come before
the House ut the evening session to-
morrow, nor the next morning. The
expectation is TO finish their discussion
in the House on Saturday and present
the article TO the Senate on Monday
next. The articles thus far agreed
upon are as follows:
ARTICLE 1. That Andrew Johnson, PFesi-
dent Of the United States, is guilty of high
crime and misdemeanOr in Office, in that ne
partment of War, Edwin M. stanton, while
the Senate was ina session, and without it's
consent.
ART. q That said Andrew johnson, Presi-
dent of the U. S., committed high crime,
in this, that on the 2Ist day of February
1855 he did, in violation of the act concerning
the tenure of certain civil offices, on the day
and year afort said, appoint Lorenzo Thomas
Secretary of " ar 0d interim, the Senate be-
ing in session, and without the consent of the
sms
ART. 8. That the said Andrew johnson,
President of the United States, was guilty of
a high crime. 10 this, that on the 2lst day Of
February. 1863, he cOnspired with Lorenzo
Thomas, and others unknown to the House
of Representatives, by force, threats and IN
timidation, to prevent Edwin M. Stanton.
Secretary of the Department Of War, from
holding the said office, in violation of the act
of July 81 1861, defining conspiracies, and of
the act regulating the tenure of certain civil
ofic g.
Ant. A. That the said Andrew Johnson,
President Of the United States, is guilty OF
high crimes in office. in thls, hat, Tegs dless
of his oath, and in violation of the cOnstitu-
ton, he did. on the 2lst day OF February,
1868 appoint Secretary Of War dd interim
to-wit: Lorenzo Thomas, without the consent
of the Senate, no vacancy existing in the said
Office of Secretary for the Department OF War.
The fifth article is not definitely de
termined, bat it IS supposed that it
will charge the President with at.
tempting to induce officers of the army
to violate the articles of war as author
lied by Congress and approved by him
self. General Emory testified that the
President had sent for him and in
quired particularly about the forces
under his command, and then asked
him what he thought of the law requir-
ing all orders to the army to pass thro'
army headquarters. General Emory,
in reply, told him that his understand
ing was that all orders must thus come
to him.
The act upon which the third article
is based is one approved July 81, 1861,
entitled IAN act to define and punish
certain conspiracies. and the part APP
plicable TO the present case is as follows:
BE IL enacted, &C., That if two or more per-
sons, within any State or Territory, shall con
spire together by force to prevent hinder or
delay the execution OF any law of the United
States or by force. to seize, take or posses any
property of the United States, or, by force,
intimidation threat. to prevent any persOn
from accepting or holding any office, or trust.
or place of confidence under the United States,
each and every person so offending shall be
guilty of high crime"