The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1868-03-20
The First Days Trial-sc in the
Senate Brilliant Assem-
biage.- The Presidents CounseI-The
Managers Colfax's Reception.
WAssINoroN, March Il, IsG

and snowy head gear-to say nothing of
handsome faces-added TO the general effect
of the scene. In the Diplomatic gallery
were several foreigners of distinction, and
among the representatives Of the press were
reporters for all the leading dailies of the
country. 1t was reproduction of the scene
so yividly described by Macauley,' when
Warren Hastings was put upon impeach
nent trial at Westminster Hall, and more
distinguished assemblage has never gathered
at our Capitol.
The opening session of the Senate was de-
void of interest. Everybody was eager for
the impressive scenes of the trial. Precise
ly at one O. clock, Chief Justice Chace enter
ed the rear door of the Senate chamber and
was recognized at once by Wade who yield
ed the chair, and the High Court of In
peschment was formally opened, the journal
read and the House notified that the Senate
was ready to begin the trial. There was
hutter in the galleries as the Sergeant-at-
arms announced the Managers of Impeach.
ment Oh the part of the House, and Bingham
Boutwell,, Wilson, Logan aud Williams en-
tered and took their places at the left of the
Chief Justice, and few moments after on
the appearance of Butler and Stevens. The
call of the Sergeant-at-Arms for the appear
ance Of the President was not answered and
stanberry, Curtis and Nelson, counsel for
the accused, were summoned and took their
places at the right of the chair. At twenty
minutes past one, the House was announced
and every available place on the floor of the
Senate was occupied by its members.
As the telegraph has already given you a
report of TIE, trial will only touch upon
points which arrested my attention as a spec
tator.
In the discussion on the motion TO allow
the President forty days to file his answer of
guilty" or mot guilty" the Managers evi-
IDENTIFY had the better of the willy Stanberry.
Bingham, usually inflamable was cool and
self -poss essed and made a strikingly clear
and direct argument, while Butler made
some excellent points, which practical men
all over the country will approve, in favor OF
bringing the trial 10 close as speedily as is
consistent with justice.
When the Senate retired for consultation
as TO the time to be allowed the President,
the silence which had prevailed, was broken
by general hustle and buzz ofconversation
The galleries were perfect Babel of chatter
and laughter, the ladies bearing their p ri
with their usual ease. The knights of the
quill, relieved for the moment from their ar
duOus work, were the gayest of the gay, en-
joyiDg themselves in the most extravagant
fashion, while the occupants of opposite gal
cries stared ut each other with their opera
glasses with unblushing impudence, in the
intervals of conversation. On the floor the
Members of the House had all the room to
themselves and, gathered in groups, they
seemed To discuss various aud diverse sub
lects without so much as making an effort to
amuse impatient people in the galleries who
hdlNCu lhO hOuic bNlOtO AuS OOuobe
returned with its decision.
The counsel for the Presidert were siDgu-
larly isolated. No one in the whole assem-.
bly, seemed to have spark of sympathy fol
them and they sat alone at their table, the
foriorn defenders of a President who is the
"most fagrant betrayer Of trust the world
has ever seen,' who deserted TO the camp Of
his enemies, and now that he has served
their purposes, is deserted by them and
abandoned to his fate.
The Managers were surrounded by con.
graduating friends and attracted large
share of the attention of the audience. Stev-
ems was a particular object of observation.
His evident physical weakness, thin, nerFou:
lips and pallid face, made more corpselike by
the great black wig which overshadows il
contrasted strangely with the almost un-
natural brightness Of his eye aud the intel.
lectual force which marked the few words be
spoke to the friends who had gathered about
him. Bingham, dressed with less Negligence
than usual, was..cool and self possessed and
fully equal TO the great occasion. Butler
was dressed with great care and seemed
keenly alive to the Importance OF the trial
Logan kept modestly in the background
and Wilson, Boutwell, and Williams demean-
ed themselves quietly but appeared ready
for efficient acton as reserve if the case de.
manded their services.
The prospect of an early trial and speedy
and final decision was received with great
favor. The removal of the vicious and
treacherous President will give political af'
fairs an entirely new aspect. We have had
no peace since johnson became President
The country has been constantly agitated
with rumors, business confidence has moi
been restored, the South has been kept in 6
ferment aud the attention of Congress divert
ed from the great financial Questions of The
day. If johnson is convicted there will bt
harmony aud settled policy. If he is &C
quilted, the case cannot be worse than be.
fore SO far as legislation is concerned. Loyal
men here hope for the Presidents early con.
viction and removal, and the disloysl mer
object only because his removal takes away
one of their best cards in the game of the
Fall election. Personally he hasn't a!
many friends and supporters as when he wal
holding his first office in an obscure town il
Tennessee. He will fud the Democratic
party ready TO give him parting kick as hi
goes into oblivion with Pierce and Buchan
an. So mote it be.
Society is not particularly gay here jus
now. The grave matters Of Impeachment
have dampened the ardor of even the butter
flies of fashion, and the receptions, which
we're gay and brilliant affairs early in tbi
season, are Row attended mostly by strang
ers. On Friday evening | was present s.
the reception of Speaker CoIfax, but theri
we're very few men or women Of great dis
tinction in attendance These receptions
by the way, are quite unique affairs. They
bore the amiable host and hostess moro in I
given number of hours than any other Iro
cess could. This is the way they do it: loU
ring, and a servant shows you up stairs
where you lay off your hat and put on youl
gloves, if you have any ifno'. ycuIare quit'
as much in the fashion, for these receptions
are popular, and everybody who wishes tC
go goes in full dress, or any other dress, al
he chooses. You go down and pass into the
parlor with the tide of people the host greeti
you warmly you give him your name, anc
ara uresented In the hostess. gho gives yol