The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-04-29
From the New York Times, Republican.
A Disgraceful Spectacle.

A Disgraceful Spectacle.
If anybody thinks that Mr.. Buffers
badgering OF The old soldier Gen. Thomas,
while giving his testimony before the Sc.
nate ON Saturday, was q fine thing, it
would be foolish for us to quarrel with
his taste Ii the Senate consider it proper
to permit such vulgar and insulting pro
cceding to be carried on in its presence, it
would be of little avail for us to find fault
with it. If it be supposed that such a
style of management will forward the
cause of justice, will aid in eiciting the
truth, will enable the Court or the public
to form Il iud dgmcnt ON the merits Of the
case, then we must revise our idea Of the
human reason. If it be supposed that it
will be cause of admiration to the world
at large, or of pride to the generations OF
Americans who will read of this trial
when the actors in it have all passccd
away. we think it is il dreadful error.
And let us SLY inpassing that it must not
he forgotten By the Senate of the country
that the Impeachment trial will be recon-
Silercd and reviewed in the court Of his
torcal appeal. and judgment rendered
upon it without passion or prejudice: or
party feeling or personal late.
All Bnt!er's hrowbealing and hadEcrin &
Of Thomas did rot. after ali, succeed in
making him contradict himself upon Il
single point of any consequence. In fact
he did not in any other than a rettiiosg-
ring sense, contradict himself at all, Or in
tho least. AS an example of the way in
which General Butler attempted to fastcn
upon him Charge Of pcrinry. take the
circumstance about the Presidents direc,
ton to Thomas to take charge of the War
Office. On Friday Thomas bad testified
that the President ordered him to ''takc
possession" Of the Office; on Saturday.
after having examined tho words Of the
order, he desired to correct the previous
days testimony by saying that the direc-
tion was to take charge Of the Office.
Upon this Butler cross-cXamncd him in
the following fashion:
Q. How many times did you answer
Yesterday that tho President told you at
that time "to take possession" Of the
office? ~ Well | have not read over
my testimony, but | do not know how
many times.
@. Was that untrue each time? A. II
said so it was take 'charge" was the
word used.
9. Have you any memorandum by
Which you can correct that expression
If so produce it, y. have no memo
randun with me here; | don't know that
| have amy.
Q. Have you looked at one since You
were on the stand? y. | have not.
O. How can YOU state better to-day
than YOU did Yesterday? A. Because
SAW and read that ordcras reported.
@. You gave il yesterday yourself? a,
| did
@. And you know better what it was
by reading it than when You testified to
it? A. Yes, sir.
@. And you arc sure the words were
charge OF 2" a. "Takc charge Of
Q. And tho three times when you re-
porlod to him that Stanton would not go
out-rclllscd to 20 ont-each time he said
..cilargc of the otlicc?" A. He did.
Q. Was your attention, at tho time he
said that, called to the difference between
the words Stake charge OF the Office, and
.takc possession OF it?" ~. Myattcntion
was not called toit.
@. How then do you recollect so dis
tnctIy now? A. Because know that
was the expression.
@. You have always known that was
the cxprcssion? A. Yes, sir.
q. IIow, then, did You come to make
that mistake? a. l think the words
were put into my mouth.
q. Put into my mouth" just as Slr
Karsencr did Laughter.] A. Yes, sir
Q. Are you in the habit when anybody
puts words in your mouth OF taking them
a. don't know that | am always in the
habit OF it.
This is a specimen of the way in whic
General Butler succeeded in making Gen
Thomas "contradicL" himself, ami it was
points like this, or worse than this, that
the Senate permitted him to go on Will
for the greater part Of tho day. Those
who think that either these or the inso
lencc that Butler has so frequently cx
hbited are fcatnres worthy of such Il trial
must be gratifcd at the turn affairs are
4ol<ipn