The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-02-27

Iprks 4 Tt0ttne, referring to the I'M
peachment Of President johnson,
says:
There Is mo avoiding this conclu-
sion--no planning giibaway---no mid
die course. Congress must assume
the responsibility of impeaching
him. Not to do so, in the face of this
hagrant and insolent proceeding, is
to become partner in the crime. It
is no time to consider party influence
OF impeachment, or its effect upon
Presidential candidates. We would
rather see the Republican party, can
didates and all, driven to the deserts
of Arabia, than to have them trem-
bic one moment in the presence of
this high duty.
''We believe the impeachment,
conviction and removal of Andrew
johnson, would work an important
revolution in the future conduct of
Presidents who might be disposed to
usurp the powers of Congress; to
violate laws; to join hands with trai-
tors in the oppression of the weak;
to sell their appointments and par
dons to the most worthless and aban-
doned characters; and to seek syste-
matically either to coerce Congress
into doing their will or to defeat the
execution of the laws when passed.
The impeachment and removal of
Andrew johnson would not only
remove all obstacles to the execution
OF the laws, but would operate as an
example to secure the country to all
future time against Presidential des-
potism."
The Herald thinks, notwithstand-
ing oil the excitement in Washington
and throughout the country, on ac-
count of the events of the past few
days, there need be little apprehen-
sion that the conflict of authority at
the capital will result in anything but
a mere legal struggle, and says:
"The conflict between the Execu-
tive and Congress has become very
exciting. Under that our republican
institutions and the Government are
undergoing strain such as they have
never been subjected to before. We
are in q condition when a spark
might create confagration through
out the whole country. There is the
most bitter and determined war be-
tween the Executive and Congress.
Where lies the responsibility for this
deplorable state of things? Un-
doubtedly in our Jacobin radical
Congress. For party purposes alone,
and to perpetuate their political
power, they are abolishing as fast as
they can the constitutional powers
and rights of the President. If we
had not the examples in history of
the insane violence of extreme politi-
cal parties, such state of things
would seem incredible in this repub-
lie. A party that endeavors to main
tain its power by destroying the
Executive, by violating the Constitu-
ton, and through the support of the
barbarons negroes, has reached the
climax of folly and tyranny, and is
bound to destruction.
"'The conflict of authority suggests
the question, who is really Com man
der-inChief of the army of the
United States-who has any author
ity over tho officers in command of
the different departments? Some
body must issue orders, and these
orders must be obeyed. According
to tie Constitution under which we
were supposed to live, the President
of the United States was Comman-
der-in- Chief of the army and navy.
The Executive was always so regarded
and always exercised the privileges of
his office in that respect. Now, how
ever, the President is ruled out and
pronounced to have no constitutional
rights whatsoever. Who, then, is
Commander-in-C Chief? Grant, Sher-
man, Lorenzo Thomas, Stanton, Ben.
Wade, Schuyler Colfax, Old Thad.
Stevens, Bingham, of Ohio, or who?
1t is matter of some interest to the
country to know who is reaiiy in
Il ~f