Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-16
.po,ner presidential interview.


A correspondent Of the Boston Posi-,
writing from Washington, states what
/ passed at an interview he has just had
withMr. johnson. After the usual for
malities of reception, the conversation
was opened by the President, with per-
feet nonekalancs, as follows: stta 1'
y"what news to-day; how stands i'm
peachment2'u e.a.r tat
No one could have suspected that the
party who propounded these questions
was himself the party impeached, and
then on trial for high crimes and mis-.
demeanors." Mr. johnson has never
looked better than he does to-day, and
his fine flow Of good humor indicates
anything but a troubled mind. After
briefly replying to his questions, your
correspondent ventured upon his work
directly and without circumlocutiou.
~" would be pleased TO learn your
views of the situation, Mr.. President;
what do you think Of impeachment Y IA
The President promptly replied: 20, ]
have never allowed myselfto believe that
the American Senate would prostitute its
great power Of impeachment TO base
party purposes, and shall not behave
It until know the vote Of conviction ms
been recorded. Such is my abstract
opinion of the Senate; but whatever
their opinion shall be, shall cheerfnlly
bow to the authority Of the Constitution"
g But, Mr.. President, it was suggested
BY Mr.. Bingham in his closing argument
that it was doubtful whether you would
obey the mandate Of the Senate If the
Judgment be one of conviction" l1G i'
Mr.. Johnson's face flushed and q slight
start was perceptible as if about spring.
ing to. his feet Smiles and pleasant
looks were gone, and with suppressed
indignation he said: (" The suggestion
of Mr.. Bingham was a base one, but,
nevertheless, one in perfect harmony
with the charges and suggestions con-
tanned in the eleven articles Of impeach-
ment. Why shouldIn not obey the mandate
of the Senate, If sli the fosms and require
ments of the Constitution are complied
with II Senators abuse their trustthey
are not responsible to me, but to the peo-
pie, who hold the sovereign power. The
people have placed me 10 charge ofone of
the greatdepartments of the Government,
with all its duties and responsibilities,
and the same people have placed Sena-
tors 10 another department also, with
grave responsibilities and with the
power to try impeachment and
render Judgments thereon? If sens-
tors rnisuse oe abuse the great powers
thus intrusted to them, it il not for the
party inpeached and convicted to at
tempt to set aside the judgment Of the
Senate The people. alone can settle
with their agents tor any abuse or their
great, trust Mr.. Bingham well knows
that + have endeavored, to the best of my
ability, to protect, defend and preserve
that great chart Of our liberties, and l
an, more than, willing TO surrender my
official responsibility whenever called
upon SO to do according to the forms
and requirementsiof that sacred instru-
mentf nnnIL @&Ss .opI / "a
He further represents Mr.. Johnson as
adding his confidence that the people
would do him justieeasHis confidence in
the people remains empbatically nm
diminished. He regards the impeach-
ment proceedings as more trial of the
Constitution than Of himself, and spoke
of it as of any other public interest.
And he seems to have determined not to
resist encroachments on the Constitution
with the power at his command, in any
event, even involving the overthrow Of q
department OF the Government, as
we had hitherto understood him TO
have intended aud declared. If an
illegal deposition Of the chief execu'
tive officer, for acknowledged and pro-
claimed party purposes, and without re-
spsct to the law and the testimony, is not
such an infraclion Of the Constitution as
would warrant his forcible resistance, we
confess we are unable TO see what would
be. If be is right in such a submission
to partial, partisan and minority SEN
ate, we see not wherein lies the power Of
defense under our government or bis titlt
to the. merit Of defending the Constitu-