The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1868-03-25

WOODWARD, VINO IN his speech iiiViteu
the President to a violation OF the
laws and resistance to the action of
the Senate should they find him gull
ty, dwells largely on the fact that the
"civil-tenure act" is unconstitutional
and void.
My friend has not yet had the de
cision on the question. Lawyers who
are perhaps as able as he think differ
emily aud affirm il Is constitutional
and L desire here to say | voted
against the provision in that act which
refers to the Cabinet officers, believing
the President should have the choice
Of bis Cabinet officers, and | would do
50 again; but our Democratic friends
must remember that the President has
no more right to judge of the cOnsti-
tutionality of an act than the humblest
citizen in the land. 1t was passed
over his veto by the requisite majority
and is to him and to every other man
affected by it the law, aud must be
obeyed. The President does not con-
strue the law. 1t is his high duty,
enforced by the solemnity of his oath
to execute the law; and because he
failed to do so and trampled it under
foot he is worthy Of impeachment.
That is not all. lie deliberately calls
General Emory to his presence, and
after diligent inquiry about the num-
Der Of troops now here and near the
capital, which itself was significant as
TO his purpose, he tries to induce him
to believe the act which required him
to get his orders through the head OF
the General in command Of the Army
was unconstitutional, and therefore not
binding on him, ! he reply Of Gen1.
Emory was worthy Of so brave and pa
trioticasoltlicr, What was the purpose
of the President in nominating Gen
Sherman, and again Gen, George II.
Thomas, to the Senate for promotion
50 as to enable them to take command
Of this district? The object was plain
and worthy Of note, and these men
honorod 10y all the people of the land
have publicly rebuked the attempt tC
scduce them in this public manner
They have proved themselves obedient
to law and worthy of the high honors
rendered to them by the millions Of
patriotic men in the Republic, After
the Senate has acted and the President
is depo3ed confidence will be restored
and we will be able to carry out om
measure Of reconstruction without the
opposition of the rebels of the Soutl
and their allies in the North, and Sc
cure tothe loyal men Of the South theil
rights under the Constitution and th'
acts Of Congress.
1t cannot be denied that the Presi
dent has used all his official power anc
Influence to defeat our measures Of re-
construction, has invited aud encour
aged the leading rebels of the South t.
oppose and aid in the defeat Of on
plan to build up State Government
in the South, and has been in Il meas
uro successful; for the best, most milk
and fair proposition we ever made wa
the amendments proposed to the Con
s.itution in 1866, and on which w
should have stood until this time an,
compelled submission to them. Th
people indorscd them fully, and, 70
my own part, Lmuch preferred then
, to any measure adopted since. n
plan, however, to bring in these State
Which Congress can Tr12ent will re
c:cye the sanction OF the President
and had it not been for his persisten
opposition to our urucasuresa nd the en-
couragmenl given to those lately il
; rebellion, by his acts and by the posi-
= ton Of the Democratic plrty, W
= would long since have had those State
represented on this floor, and harmo
ny and peace in the country. Nov
| Mr.. Chairman, my time is out, and
| only desire further to say that wheI
: the President is removed in con
: stitutional way land hope it will b
: done in no other way) there will b
r rejoicing among all the loyal people c
. the land, not because Of the trump
5 of Congress; over the President, bu
] because the Constitution and law ar
Q vindicatcd, and the world will sc
l that even the higher officer under on
e, form of Government is amenable t
| the law and can be punished for its in
i. fraction. Let the majesty Of the la
: be vindicated and loyal aud true me
g become our rulers.