The New York herald., 1868-02-22
ubOn having General Thomas act as Secretary ad

UPON having General Thomas act as Secretary ad
intertns,
The President-"I don't see that they can do
anything. The resolution itself is the end of the
matter. so far as the Senate is concerned, unless
the House presents articles Of impeachment and
the Senate undertakes to try the Executive and
resolves itself into high court of imp. .achment"
Correspondent-"D you think Congress really
will attempt impeachment, Mr.. President -
The President-"I don't know, indeed nor do /
care. 1t would make very little difference to
me-"
Your correspondent here asked what the Presi-
dent would do 10 the event of the passage OF Mr..
Edmunds' bill OF suspension, to which the Presi.
dent answered, substantially, "Sir, would not
obey the law IL they attempted to suspend me-
The law is clearly unconstitutional. There is a
point against it which you gentlemen Of the press
seem to have altogether overlooked. The bill Of
Senator Edmunds to suspend pending trial would
undoubtedly be an er post facto law so far as my
case would be concerned. Such a law is declared
unconstitutional by the very language of the con.
stitution ITSELF Ny ofYonce, We will suppose, is
tho removal Of Mr.. Stanton. That is an accom-
plished fact. Any law prescribing a penalty for
that act would be e1 post fdcto. and therefore un-
constitutional. How, therefore, can Congress
legally pass bill Of such a character.
Your correspondent remarked that certain rad
Gals might argue that persistence in keeping Mr..
Stanton out Of off 0. after the Henate declaring
his removal contrary 70 law, and after the pro-
posed passage Of Mr.. Edmunds' suspension bill,
would be bringing the question out Of the opera
ton Of an er post jaoto law.
The President replied that thst could not alter
the case the offence charged would still be the
removal Of Mr.. Stanton-an act performed before
the passage Of the proposed law.
In reply to an inquiry as to whether the Presi-
dent had seen General Thomas since the interview
Of the latter with Mr.. Stanton the President said
yes. and proceeded to state what. according to
his information, had occurred at that interview.
General Thomas" he said, waited upon Mr..
Stanton, and showed to him tho Presidents order
removing Mr.. Stanton and appointing him (Gen-
eral Thomas, IS Secretary Of War dd tn
terim. Mr.. Stanton read the order, and asked
Thomas whether he would be obliged to vacate
the Office forthwith. Thomas said his instructions
were to assume control Immediately. Stanton
then said he would Like to have time to arrange
and take away his papers and documents; to
which Thomas replied that . considerable time
would be allowed for such purpose. No time.
however. was fixed for Mr.. Stanton to finish his
arrangements"
Your correspondent had some further converse
ton with the President but the chief points have
been given. The President repeatedly expressed
his utter indifference as TO what course Congress
might adopt on the impeachment question and
in answer to parting remark Of your correspond
ent that the President might sleep soundy In spite
Of the threatened impeachment he said, laughing
IL don't think my sumbers will be much dis
turbed by that fear. shall sleep soundly and
| awake refreshed"