Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-07
Mr.. STANBERY'S CONCLUSION.
An Eloquent ana Powerful Appeal.

An EiOquenl ana Powerful Appear.
Senators-was there ever a more abor-
tive attempt TO make a case for the i'm
peachment of the President under the Con-
stitution2 This bantling of impeachment,
from the first, showed few signs of vital.
~. There was never any real life in it, Ii
has been nursed by the managers with the
greatest care, especially by that honorable
manager whose business it was first 10
bring it TO the notice of the Senate. He
handled the bantling in his arms with con-
snmmate skill. He Pinohed its poor wan
cheeks for some show of life, but even then
il was too evident that it was ip drtictl0
morris. The nurse was skillful, but the
subject, with all his care, was beyond his
art. Long since this show of vitality van
ished, and now it lies, bereft of life, ashape.
less mass which gives no sign, scarcely
glim eontortiog, the counterfeit resem-
blance of life, under the galyanic touch of
high party excitement
Senatorsl itwasnot atall necessary for the
defense of the President that, in the exer-
else of that discretion which the law allows
70 him, he should be put to prove that his
Intentions were all right. He has gone far
beyond the necessities Of his case. Never
we're good Intentions and honest motives
more thoroughly proved than they have
been in this case. repeat it, thai ii every
thing else we're made ont against him, this
great exculpatOry fact must absolye him
from all crimal liability. And now, Sena-
tors, | have done with the Law and the
facts of the case. There remains for
NE, however, duty yet to be performed
lone Of solemn import and obligation
duty to my client, to my former chief, to
nv friend. There may be those among you
Senator'S who cannot find a case Of guilt
against the President. There may be those
among you, who, not satisfied that case
for impeachment has yet arisen, are fearful
Of the consequences Of acquittai. You may
entertain vague approximations that flushed
with the success of acquittal the President
will proceed to acts Of violence and reYo-
lptioB. Senators, you do not know or
understand the man. / cannot say that
YOU Willfully misGBderstand him, for
|, too, though never an extreme party
man, have felt more than once, IN the
lfeat of party conflicts, the same bitter
and Incorporating spirit that may now
animate you. The time has been when |
locked upon General Jackson az the most
dangerous of tyrsnts. Time has been when,
day after day. j expected 10 see him inau-
gurate a revolution and yet, after mis-
administration was crowned with success
and sustained by the people, lived to see
him gracefully surrender his great powers
to the hands that conferred them and |
under the softening Influences of time | |
came to regard him, not as a tyrant, but as |
one Of the most honest aud patriotic of men. |
Now, listen for a moment to one who, per- |
haps, understands Andrew johnson better |
than most of you, for his opportunities have |
been greater When nearly two years ago |
he called me from the pursuits of profess
sional life to take a seat in his Cabinet, / |
answered the call under a sense of public |
duty. ] came here almost a stranger to |
him and every member of his Cabinet. /
except Mr.. Stanton. We had been friends
for many years. Senators, need | tell Won
that all my tendencies are conserva-
i've You, Mr.. Chief Justice, who
have knogp me for a third of a
century can bear me witness Law,
not arms, is my profession. From
the moment l vas honored with a seat in
The Cabinet of Mr.. johnson, not a step was
taken that did not come under my ohserva-
lion, not a word was said that escaped nv
attention. ] regarded him closely 10 Cab
met, and in still more private and conf.
Dental conversation. | saw him often
tempted with bad advice. ] know that evil
counseloTs were more than once around
bin. / observed him with intense anxiety.
But never in word, in deed, 10 thought, in
action, did discover 10 that man anything
bnt loyalty Il the Constitution and the
laws. lie stood firm as a rock against all
temptation 10 abuse his own powers. or 10
exercise those which were not conferred
upon him. Sleadfast and selEreliant IN
the midst Of all difficulty, when dangers
threatened, when temptations we're ssrone,
he looked only to the Constitution Of his
country and TO the people Yes, Senators.
have seen that man tried as feE have
been tried. have seen his confidence
abused / have seen him endure day after
BAY provOcaii0ns such as few men have
ever been called upon TO meet No man
'Opld have met them with more sublime
patience. Sooner or later, however. |
Knew the explosion must come, and whenis
dcome my only wonder was that il had been
% long delayed. Yes, Senators, with adj
bis faults the President has been more sinned
.gainstthsn SHINING. The Constitution ofthe
,ountFy Is safe in bis hands from violence
Is Il was in the hands Of VI Arlington. Bot
& Senators, you condemn him, if you strip
aim Of the robes of Office, if you degrade
lim to the utmost stretch Of your power,
mark the prophecy The strong arm Of
he people will be about him. They will
ind way to raise him from any depths to
which you may cOnsign him, and we shall