Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-03-07
Articles of Impeachment


the consideration of the impeachment
resolution, the interval between this
hour and noon being technically re-
gsrded as belonging to the session OF
Saturday. The desks of the members
we're very sparsely occupied at tue
opening Of the proceeding; but every
scat in the galleries, save some IN the
diplOmatic gallery, was filed when tie
debate opened by Mr. Ashley, of Ohio,
who. in the course of his remarks, said
the House was now brought face to
face with a man who was recognized
rs an eremy of the Government, and a
strong ally and friend of the lost
cause;" man whose public and private
acts had been marked by viola
tiOns of law. Dare the House
longer shrink from the exercise
of its power In rescuing the govern
ment from the usurper, and thus pro-
claiming that the government Is one OF
constitutional law, not Of usurped
power? When, two months ago. the
House voted down impeachment, lac
had encouraged loyal men to keep
their hearts, that time would vindIcate
them. He did not now exult in that
vindiCati0n. He had much rather that
the acts of this accidental President
would fan 70 the grOdnd, or that ne
mad so administered the government
as TO bring IL back TO the path of
peace, union and prosperity. The i'm
parchment of this man was now Beces-
sarv, If not for the safety OF the IA
ton: at least to teach lesson 10 future
Presidents, and to vindicate the match
less constitution of the country.
Wilson, of Iowa, chairman of the
Judiciary Committee, IN support of the
resolution, said:
MIR. SPEAKER: The public peace is
agsiu disturbed by the President of
the United States. He denies to the
nation that repose which it so much
needs; he will not obey the law, and
by it he must be judged. do not OPP.
pose his case under the spur OF hate or
IN the heat of passion. Its presence
deplore, but It's demands | will not re-
spect and obey. As "a representative it
is my duty to see that the laws of the
republic are not defed by criminal in
Office, If, within the terms of the Con-
stitution, a remedy may be found. -
pable fact; the remedy is plain aud IN
disputable, and from the performance
of the duty I will not shrink. An i'm
parchment of the President of the
United States IS made inevitable by his
own deliberate criminal conduct, as
presented to us by the case which now
commands our attention. We cannot
escape this conclusion If we would, for
the President would hedge us about
with new acts of enOrmlty, If there be
any logic In his course of procedure,
which wOuld at last compel us 10 take
up the gage that he has now defiantly
cast at our feet.
Heretofore his challenges have not
been, IN my Judgment, IN due form Of
law, or stamped with the character of
real crimes aud misdemeanOrs, aud
therefore ] have resisted a resort to
the extreme remedy which the Consti
tuition has placed IN our hands. Per
haps have been more cautious than
most men could have been, but no re-.
gret CONES to me on this account, for l
believe did my duty. The consider
atoms which urged upon my mind and
moulded my conduct in the case with
which the Committee on the Judiciary
of the house was charged, are not TO
be found IN the present case. The
logic In the former case is made plain,
not TO say perfect, by its influence in
the present one. The President was
working to- an end suspected by others
ard knOwntO himself. His then means
were not known to the laws as crimes or
misdemeanOTs; neither by the common
law, or by the statute, are they so pro-
nOunced. He mistOOk our judgment
for cowardice, and worked Ou until he
has presented to us a sequence, a high
misdemeanOr known to the law and
defined by the statute. If we permit
this TO pass unchallanged by that high
power with which the constitution has
clothed MS, no man Can measure the
future troubles of this republic. For
one / am not willing to wait for an
ascertainment of the unknown quanti-
ties of future presidential crimes and
misdemeanOrs. We have before us
the elements, and its Quantities are as
eertained, and 1 am In favor of wiping
il from the executive blackboard by au
Impeachment of the criminal who
placed 1t there. Its presence Is a cause
of regret to me, and 1t must be of NOR
tifcation TO the people of this
republic; but 1 will face il and
they will meet 1t by asserting
the characterization of the Presi-
dent to-the law of the land. He is not
a maker of the law, or judge thereof.
and 1t Is enough for him to know that
the Constitution, which he is sworn TO
preserve, protect and defend, says that
he shall take care that the laws shall
be faithfully executed. What laws?
Those which are passed IN pursuance
of the terms of that Constitution which
he is sworn to preserve, protect and de
fend. And how are these laws passed?
BY the two houses of Congress with
the approval of the President, or IN
such case as he does not approve he
shall return it, with his objections, to
the house IN which it shall have origi-
mated, who shall enter the objections
at length on their Journal, and pro-
coed to reconsider it; and If, after such
reconsideration, two-thirds of that
house shall agree to pass the bill. il
shall be sent, together with the obiec-
tions, to the other house, by whom It
shall likewise be considered, and
if approved by two-thirds of
the house. it shall become a
law. What kind Of law One which
the President shall take care that it be
faithfully executed. The constitution
does not make him judge of the law,