Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1868-03-14
I.,..ehm.nt Of the President. :.
The work of impeachment is fairly CT

The work of impeachment is fairly COM
menced. Andrew johnson, acting President,
who was placed in the presidential chair by the
assassin's hand, is about to be tried for high
crimes and misdemeanors, having in the position
which he occupies violated the laws Of the Uni
ted States, and endeavored by force of arms to
couspire against the Government. Having over
stepped the laws himself, he attempted to force
others to do likewise. In this he failed. Con-
press, the law-making power of the land, watch
ed the course of the President until satisfied
that it was leading the country into another civil
war, and until his domineering and plainly evil
designs became entirely unbearable. Kings may
rule where the subjects choose to bow and cringe
to imperial will, but in free America the voice
of the people is the voice Of God"
The first vote on impeachment was taken in
the House on the 25th of February. The vote
vania, and Bingham, of Ohio, were appointed
committee TO impeach the President before the
Senate, and Boutwell, of Massachusetts,. Stevens
of Pennsylvania, Bingham of Ohio, Wilson Of
Iowa, Logan of Illinois, Julian of Indiana, and
Ward of New York, committee to prepare ar
ticles of impeachment.
At one o clock P. NJ, on the 4th of March, the
managers on the part of the House appeared in
the Senate chamber, followed by the members Of
the House, the latter ranging themselves outside
the bar of the Senate. The Speaker of the
House was invited TO a seat beside the President
pro tenn, and escorted TO his seat by Senator
Grimes. Silence having been restored, the
chairman of the committee. Bingham, said:
"Mr. President: The managers on the part of
House of Representatives, by order of the House,
are ready at the bar of the Senate, to present
articles for the maintenance of the impeachment
preferred against Andrew johnson, President of
the United States"
The President pro tenn. said: &C. The Sergeant
alarms will make proclamation"
Sergeant-at-Arms -" Hear ye | hear yel All
persons are ordered to keep silence on pain of
imprisonment while the House of Representa-
tives exhibit to the Senate articles of impeach-
ment against Andrew Johnson, President Of the
United States.'
Bingham then rose and read the articles of
impeachment, the managers also standing, with
the exception of Stevens.
At a quarter to two the reading of the articles
was concluded AID the managers and other mem
bers of the House retired.
AFTER the conclusion OF Tue Oenate business Oh
the morning of the 9Th, Chief Justice Chase as
cended the Presidents chair and said, in SOL
emn and impressive voice:
"Senators In obedience to your notice, !
have appeared to join with you in forming
Court OF Impeachment for the trial of the Pres
ident of the United States. am ready to take
the oath"
Judge Nelson then administered the following
I do coli lx, hat in innc
pertaining to the trial of the impeachment Of
Andrew Johnson President of the United States,
will do impartial justice according to the Con-
stitution and laws. So help me God"
The Secretary then called the roll, each Sen
ator advancing and taking the oath prescribed
by the rules. The only Senators absent we're
Doolttle, Edmunds, Patterson of New Hamp-
snire, and Salisbury.
When the name Of Senator Wade was called,
Hendricks and put the question whether the
Senator from Ohio, being the person who would
succeed the President was entitled to a seat as
Judge in the case!
Sherman argued that the constitution itself
settled that question. 1t provides that the pre-
siding officer should not preside at the impeach-
ment of the President. Being silent as 10 the
right to be member of the court; it follows,
by implication that he has that right
Howard took the same view.
johnson (Reverdy) assimilated this trial to an
ordinary judicial proceeding. He said no Judge
would be allowed to sit in case where he had
a direct interest. He desired TO postpone the
decision till precedents from the English House
of Lords could be examined.
The debate was continued at great length.
Davis, Hendricks and Bayard argued against
Wade's right to sit as a member of the court.
Hendricks said that when Wade ceased to be
the presiding officer Of the Senate he could not
be sworn, but was now incompetent.
Morrill, Williams. Howard, Morton, Sumner,
Sherman, Drake, Thayer and Howe spoke in ia
vor of Wade's right.
Morton argued that there was no person here
authorized to make objection. 1t was the right
of the party to waive his objection on the ground
of interest on the part of the Judge or jury
When the President came here for trial he might
ask why was not the Senator from Ohio sworn
The Senator was a member of the Senate. his
rights as such could not be taken away.
Thayer argued that if the question of interest
was raised against the Senator from Ohio. it
ought with greater reason to be raised against
the Senator from Tennessee (Patterson), who was
closely related TO the President. Besides, every
Senator who might succeed to the Office of the
presiding officer was also interested.
1t is probable that the impeachment trial will
occupy some weeks.
A SyMPArHETlc GovERNoR.-Governor Haight's
sympathy has been excited TO remarkable de-
gree. He telegraphed the Assembly resolutions
notifying the President that that body sided with
him as against Congress, but refused to dispatch
the Senate resolutions favoring the impeach-