The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-03-06
THE HIGH COURT OF IMPEACH.
MENT,

The senate Yesterday was the theatre OF at
traction, and At an carly hour large crowds were
observed vending their way on the streets
through the grounds and corridors, toward the
galleries of the Senate Chamber, to get sight OF
what transpIrcd there, and to hear what was
said upon the subject OF this unprecedented state
Of Affairs in our national history. Never before
has the American Senate been organized as
High Court for the trial and impeachment of the
President Of the United States. May II never
occur ngalu.
As We sat In the gallery VIC were reminded of
that scene In Eaglish history, the trial and i'm
pclchmcnt Of Warren Hastings. The contrast
between what we saw yesterday and the occa-
sion anil surroundings at the trial of Hastings,
as related by Mactulcy, were marked, and the
distinction between republican simplicity and
royal pcagcantry, pomp and glittering show
were most apparent. Warren Hastings usurped
the dominion of m empire, trod down and robbed
kings, rulers and chiefs, and hesitatcd not
to commit the most terrible cruetics and the
blacklist crimes TO satiate his mad ambition, to
i'll his Golfers with gold and to crafty his selfish
desires and passions to the top Of his bent. Has
tngs fell because there was power In the Brit
i,A realm greater thar he, and because there is
m avcnginG Nemesis that allows no criminal to
escape the Just judgments OF Heaven.
We mare no comparisons between the citizen
President OF the United States, the chosen
servant of the people, and the perhdious tyran,
who usurpcd dominion over the rich and broad
domain of the East Indies. Our attention
was called by what we saw yesterday to the
obvious contrast between the two scenes the
glittcrng grandeur and formal display OF the
one and the plain republican simplicity of the
other The one exhibited the power of the
throne, the majesty OF kings; the other, the
power OF the people, the severe majesty OF demo-
cratic Institutions.
But all thisIs depression from what we in.
tended to say.
At one O'Clock Chief Justice Chase, accompa-
nielby Associate Justice Nelson and the com
u..ttce Of the Senatc-Messrs. Pomeroy, Wilson
and Buckalew, appointed to notify Judge Chase
that the Senate was ready to organize the High
Court-made his appearance, and was recognized
by the President OF the Senate, who announced
the object Of his appearance, and the Chief Jus
tee then proceeded to the chair just vacated by
Mr. Wade, the acting Vice President.
Judge Chase then said
"SESAroa. attend tho Senate in obedience to you
notice, for tho purpose ofj0ung with you in formin
Court n impeachment for the trial OF the Presiden
0fthe United States, aad am now ready to take tn
oath.
The oath was then alministeredb by Mr.. Justic
Nelson, and Is in these words:
81 do .olcmHly swear that in aliissues pertaining
the trial .. tho Impeachment Of Andrew JOhnsol
Justice according to the Constitution and laws.
help me God.
The Chief Justice then directed the Secrctar
Of the Senate to administer the oath to eac
senator in order, and as their names were calle
they stepped forward and took the oath one at
time.
When Mr.. wade's name was called Mr., He
bricks objected to his being sworn to sit in Il
court during the tiial, as he is party intereste
lnasmuch as should Mr. johnson be impeacht
the succession belongs to him. This matter wi
debated to great length and the court finally a
Journed without coming to vote upon 1t.
VIII therefore come up to-day The opinion pr
walls that Mr.. Wade will he allowed to he swo
in, but that he will act is not so certain.
One day more of these proceedings has COT
ant gone and the indications are that the tr
may prove to be = somewhat tedious procedul
That It will be pcrpcxing and more or less
volyed in doubt aud difficulty is too appare
not to be noted At each step as the business pl
crosses