The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-03-17
WASHINGTON, March Is, 1868.

w
How in the world President Andrew
johnson. even with the constant assistance
of the energetic and learned counsel he
has employed, can manage, in the allotted
ten days, to prepare his answer to the wide
charges Of the managers of impeachment
Is q question which is fraught with mate
rial for much consideration. A proper re-
ply-one doing full Justice to himself and
to the country, and one which will embrace
the answers due in every particular of the
charges set forth-cannot be made in that
time and it looks, consequently, as if the
Chief Magistrate of this great Republic is to
be forced to go upon his trial half prepared
(if so much) on account of the great lack
of magnanimity among his political oppo-
nents to giving him time. 1t can hardly
be that this is intended to force the Presi-
dent into resigning his position. Those
who imagine that he would stoop to that
know but very little Of the man; and it is
very safe to hazard the declaration that,
notwithstanding he was not ready to pro.
coed upon his defence on Friday last, yet
had the arguments Of the prosecutors that
the trial should receive no further delay
prevailed, the President would not have
been found wanting in his protests against
the Injustice done him, and in his denialS
of the Indictment presented against MN
sin the name of all the people OF Inc Y III
ted States" ,.,. g. co,
down as q certainty of the future. inc
reasons for it being regarded in that light
are, Of course, political ones. The only diff
ferences of opinion that exist upon 1t have
reference to the time at which Mr.. john
son will be deposed and acting Vice-Presi.
dent Wade ushercd into the doors OF the
Executive Mansion as its occupant until
the date fixed by the Radical party TOR
him to he relieved by General Grant, who
has not, up to this hour, however, signlhed
to any one, not even to his friend Wash
burne, or to any of the members OF MS
military family-meaning, of course, his
staff officers-that he has any aspirations,
intentions, or designs, in the White House |
direction. The prominent Radicals have
great hope that if they elect Grant he Will
stand by the party, but at the same time
great care is to be taken by them that the |
Vice President on the ticket with him is q |
politician of the very strongest Republican
backbone. Those Of Indiana want Coltax
there; if he can't be first, Pennsylvania
nails Curtin to her mast, Massachusetts
demands Wilson, and New York has great
faith in Fenton. And although it IS
generally conceded that Grant can be the
nominee for the Presidency by the mere
stroke of his pen or nod Of his head, yet
it is not so very certain that there will be |
any remarkable unanimity in choosing the
candidate for Vice. President.
It is said here that one Of the first acts
of the Wade administration, when it comes
into power, will be the restoration to their
commands, in the Second and Fifth Mill
tary Districts respectively, of Generals
Sickles and Sheridan. OF course there is no
reason in the world why any such assertion
as this may be doubted. The very act
will form part of the reconstruction of the
localities in question, as it is intended
they shall be reconstructed. But there |
are other important changes in contem-
plation beside these. The slate is even |
now being prepared, and there is no
tenure of Office act for the "new admin !
istration." When it comes in, practically
that act will be null and void. 1t was
only intended, as every one knows, to de-
prive President Johnson Of certain rights
and powers, and if he is deposed its use
fulness will have departed. T1MoN.