The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-12-28
"A "Reminiscences OF Thaddcus Stevens
ia Connection with the ImpeRch-
meut OF the PrcHIdcnt,

in Connection with the ImpeRch-
meut OF the PrCHIdent,
(CorT cypOnieHce Of the Bos,om 7Fa,ciIcr.)
The impeachment trial was the slim
ulnnt which kept life within Stephens
feeble frame. He believed Andrew
johnson dangerous enemy to the Con-
stitution and human freedOm-and
often have heard him say that could
he but SURVIVE long enough to see Ben.
Wade in the seat held by Johnson, he
would be content to die.
l remember one day in particular
during that trial WHIT he seemed in
unusually tine spirits.
Judge Bingham, of Ohio, was holding
the Senate entranced by his elOQuenCe
in arraigning Johnson before the bar of
justice in behalf of the people, and ii
was expected that his argument would
close that night, consequently the close
ly packed galleries remained in the
same condition, without the slightest
disposition being manifested to leave.
The air OF the Senate Chamber was
too close for Mr.. Stevens, therefore he
retired through the Senate lobby in the
rear of the Vice Presidents room. This
was a favoGite resort for those holding
intimate personal relation with Vice
President Wade-where we would meet
during the trial and canvass the situn-
tiOn. Did but feel Ht liberty to reveal
the secrets of that room, your readers
would not want for sensation long.
1t was here that Sumner, Stevens,
Boutwell,, Yates, Ramsey, Chandler,
Butler, Logan, and many others would
hold their little caucuseS; and remem-
Der that on one occasion General Grant
was one among those present-Hnd he
appeared extremely anxious as to The
result of the trial-speaking out freely
his sentiments.
ITnnY1 1h1a lnN- hnUavnr thn nrlyr
persons in the room were Senator Wade,
ex-senator Wilkinson. OF Minnesota,
Stevens, and your own correspondent,
"Scott."
Impeachment was OF course the theme
of our talk, and its prospective success
considered in all its bearings.
1--WE must have Bingham conclude
to-day or lie will kill the case,' said
Stevens. mo good can come of the
lOng-windel arguments, and 1t would
have been better for us II the case had
been submitted after an hours talk
each. l remember, when l WAS quite
young man, of trying a case in Lam
caster, which involved the ownership
OF pig. worth probably dollar. AS
soon AS | learned who was the opposing
counsel, l WAS fully convinced that the
arguments alone would occupy week
that is would address the Court in
behalf of my client two hours-while
the other side would not be content
with less than four days. I, therefore,
made my arrangements to go up to
Harrisburg on some pressing business,
and return before the case had gone 10
the jury. The case was clearly against
me, If the law was considered, and l
SO told my client; but 1 would do
the best could do under the circum-
stances. The evidence was all heard,
and made my speech TO the jury, not
dealing in the law as much as did in
telling a couple of amusing anecdotes.
| spoke less than two hours, and then
left the courtroom 10 go to Harrisburg.
Yes, gentlemen, l actually went there,
transacted my business, and returned
to Lancaster, after an absence of three
days, and found the opposite counsel,
Mr., still talking about that Internal
pig. One glance al the faces of the
jurymen and / knew TINT the case was
mine. Mr.. - talked a. halt n day
after my return, and the jury, without
ever leaving the jury box, decided In
favor of my client. The truth was the
case was talked to death; and this is
exactly what am afraid bingham will
do with this one. l was ashamed of
the time 1 occupied myself the other
day, the speech requiring nearly an
hour to deliver 1t.
In few minutes messenger came
into the room and announced that
Bingham, from exhRustation, would
not conclude until the next day. Never
will forget the expression on Mr.. Ste.
vsns' face. 1t told the story bettor uhan
did his words, This decides the mat
ter" said hci "Johnson will not be
convicted" and history proved him
correct. recall yividly some remarks
he made ngainst certain Senators whom
he believed would betrav their party,
as they did, and for bitterness OF lam
guage, 1ull of invectivei, intermingled
with profanity, 1t excelled anything
that 1 ever heard. -.- 'tt7-pa5-