The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1868-06-05
HOW OPINIONS ARE SOB
TAINED.o


the eve of the vote on Impeachment. A
week before, the Republican press, in
view of the evidence and apparently
predetermined result, was a unit upon
the question, each adding unto other
the rills that go to make up the great
current of journalism, and all flowing
steadily to cleanse the governmental
Augean Stables of the corruption that in
! three years had accumulated there. Un-
expectedly to all came the tidings that
there was break in the impeachment
ranks and conviction was improbable,
and the streams that did not emanate
| from the fountains of honesty and prin.
ciple. were riled. Across the outlet ru-
NOR reareG a temporary breakwater, and
the votes of "seven" dissenting Repub-
can Senators were held above the food
by those fixed piles of Johnsonianism
the exemplary and uprighs twelve"
The Chicago Post and Tribune suddenly
turned back in their course, stagnated,
and became as offensive in the nostrils
of the people as the garbage fouled river
that in their city holds death and pesti-
lence to the lips of its inhabitants. They
excuse and apologize for themselves and
the anticipated action of Grimes, Fes-
senden, Trumbull and others. AS in
stances of the style, we quote from the
Chicago Tribune, the wordiest of the
| two:
L. -
for the conviction of Andrew johnson to the
| last day and hour that we could hope to exer-
else any influence upon the result. When 1t
became apparent to US that he could not be
convicted, we addressed ourselves to the duty
of saving the pieces
| Better the acquittal of johnson than his
conviction upon grounds that would not en-
dure scrutiny In the presidential election. Far
better his acquittal than his conviction upon
grounds that might be condemned by the
next generation. The record of this trial
will pass into history. It will be studied by
! the young men who are to govern the future.
1t will be scanned by lawyers whose sight will
not be dimmed by prejudice. temporary
benefit to the republic Is as nothing compared
with the permanent injury which would be in
| ficted by the deposition of q President upon
insufficient grounds--Chicago Tribune.
| Its columns will also bear witness
that on the 18th of January, Messrs.
Fessenden and Trumbull voted for the
resolution declaring non-concurrence in
the Presidents removal of Stanton, and
again on the 21st of February, that the
action of the President in Stanton's re-
moval was unconstitutional and unLd1o-
til. This was upon their oath as Sena-
tors, and we recognize that as binding,
full and sacred as their oath as members
of the court. Who would violate one
would violate the other. The substance
of it is this. The bitterest enemies
Wade has are Fessenden, Trumbull and
Grimes. The accession of Wade in the
event Of the removal of Johnson, almost
insured his nomination for the Viee-
Presidency. The Tribune advocates
free trade" Wade favors a protective
tariff. His defeat to them was a COM
mercial necessity, and the antagonisms
of Trumbuu and the Tribune were har-
monized, in the committal of Trum5ull
against impeachment, and the assured
support of the Tribune, which he has
since received, in case he voted not
guilty. Is it not little odd that the
statements in the east that Senator
Trumbull had received letters, which he
produced, from the editors of the TTT5-
Une and Post, before his vote, assuring
him of their allegiance in case of his vot-
ing against Impeachment, never found
their way into the Western dispatches
which are made up in or come through,
Chicago 2 OF course it was necessary
to give plausible excuses, and the ITi6-
lLTae wanted to "save the pieces" There
are no pieces in the Republican party,
and these prodigals tire of the husks OF
Democracy and come back penitent and
to be pitied 1t wanted Sufficient evil
dence" that the tenure law applied to
Stanton, when every previous vote
of its favorites had so declared, and tries
to decorate with the polished subtleties
flaw the desecrated temple of Justice.
In full view of the history of this trial,
it is impossible, however much we might
desire, to conscientiously accord either
of the seven acquitting Senators the
meea of consistency, or good intent. We
must remember that Senators are but
men. subject to passions, prejudices and
pressure, and if the three leaders of the
sapient seven were honest in their votes,
every recorded circumstance of ambition,
envy and malice that might influence
men is against them.
Again, we have papers like the Spring
field Republican urging that the politi-