Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-19
Pressure of the Radical Press.

In order that our reauerS may see now
the Radical press bullied and threatened
on the eve of the impeachment vote, we
take from the ferociously Radical Mis-
souri, Democrat the following group of
extracts from journals which, like itself,
favored impeachment for party purposes,
and right or wrong, and demanded it
with the alternative to<6enators them
selves perjury or ostracism, and political
death The Cincinnati Gazette closes
an article headed Treachery in the
Senate as follows:
If Republican Senators vote to acquit
Johnson, it will not be because of their
integrity. Such unfaithfulness to party
and country is incompatible with integ-
rity of any sort; and it will be of but
little use to affirm that it has held itself
above any of the influences that has be-
sieged the Senate to compass the keep
ing of Johnson in Office.
In other respects, the Judgment of &C
quittal of Johnson wilbe most degrading
to the Senate. 1t will be their condem-
nation. If he is not disturber of the
peace, then Congress is If he is not
guilty of hagrant misconduct, for abusing
his Office to resist the reconstruction laws
of Congress, then Congress is guilty of
an abuse of it's Office for enacting them.
If the Senate justifes him in deliberately
and purposely disregarding the tenure
of-office act, it condemns itself for en-
acting that act. There can be no bridg-
ing over OF this conflict between Johnson
and Congress, in all of which the Senate
has been a principal. If he is innocent,
they are guilty. If he is fit to remain in
office, they are not. Their acquittal of
him should be Immediately followed by
their own designations.
From the Cincinnati Chronicle.l
To talk of decency and fairness comes
with bad grace from the Commercial,
since no language has been too vile for
its use in denouncing the managers and
the majority of the Senate Mr.. Wade,
although discreet in all his actions since
the impeachment trial commenced, has
been wantonly abused, his character
maligned, and openly charged with the
most corrupt motives, His fellow Sena-
tors in the majority, and their friends,
have been actuated solely by desire to
revenge the wrongs of the Republican
party, and to get the control of the pub
lie Offices. Ifthere is anything baser, or
more sordid, or more despicable, than the
motives which the CommerciGt attributes
to these men, we Should like to know
what it is.
From the Illinois State Journal.l
We sincerely trust that these reports
from Washington of cowardice, or folly,
or something worse, on the part of any
Republican Senators will be proved to be
unfounded when on next Saturday the
vote is taken. We can hardly believe
they will prove recreant to the solemn
duty which is upon them. No pretext,
no matter by what name they may call
it, will assuage the public wrath and in
dignation which will surely follow An.
drew Johnsons aequittal. All other
shortcomings on their part will be held
as duty well performed; all other COW
ardice will be exalted into courage; all
other treachery will, by comparison, be
deemed faithful service by the side Of
such strange and selfstultifying action.
We may at least tell
them that not the Senate only, but the
whole country, has been sitting as high
court of impeachment; that however
eight or ten Senators may prevent the
conviction of Andrew johnson, the
country cannot be stopped from also
rendering its verdict; and although he
may not be pronounced guilty by the
Senate and removed from office, his
guilt has nevertheless been solemnly ad-
Judged by the people-the supreme, SOW
ersign power Of the nation and mere
cant about legal guilt OF solemn oaths
will not change that verdict or excuse
any Senators for declining to thwart An
drew johnson in his unparalleled career
Of crime and his usurpatioHs Of power.
From the Dubuque Timesl
The Chicago Tribune, a few weeks
since, was first and foremost in its de-
mands for the impeachment Of the Presi-
dent. Il had no doubt Of the guilt Of Mr..
Johnson, and in imitation Of its cry in
1861, "On to Richmond" it was most
denunciatory Of Andy. Now, all Of q
sudden, It is, mot so much as 1t was,
and the natural inquiry that rises in the
mind Of the reader is, what has caused
this sudden change7 The answer is
that il has heard from its masters-Sen-
stors Grimes and Trumbull. Mr.. Grimes
il one Of the owners ri the Chicago
Tribune, and that paper is supposed TO
reflect bis sentiments We remember
The time when that paper vas urgent for