The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1868-05-09


he could . My be held responsible for the er.
ror Of construction. Stanberry argued these
points ct length, reading from Jefferson,
jackson and Van Buren, TO sustain his view.
He proceeded TO consider the Conspiracy
Articles, arguing that not q word Of proof
had been adduced in their support. The
Emory Article has no substance or founda.
ton. The Tenth Article is, he said, a viola.
ton Of freq speech valued by our people az
q jewel beyond price and expressly protected
BY the First Article Of the Constitution. The
Eleventh Article wn more definite. the allie.
CATION was insustained by proof, and already
sufficiently answered. Stanberry then den.
led that any injury had been caused to any
individual officer Of the Government no
public interest has suffered by the action Of
the President. lie continued, mentioning
that the removal Of Stanton was signed BY
the President In the exercise of his undoubt.
ed power, sanctioned by the Constitution
and endorsed by every member Of the Pres.
| idential Office. lie then said How can
you punish him for following. in good faith,
that oath7 He has been compelled to pre-.
serve, protect and defend the Constitution Of
the United States. Nothing is palmer than
the duty Of the Executive TO resist the en-
croachments of the Legislative Department.
Whenever q President il deliberately Of the
opinion that an act Of Congress calls upon
him TO exercise the power given him by the
Constitution he violates the Constitution If
he fails TO do IL. Again, whenever he is
called upon TO execute q Law which deprives
him Of his constitutional power, he is vic.
lating the Go Institution as well by executing
IL. A great trust Is committed to bis hands.
sanctioned BY q solemn oath, and he cannot
surrender tho one or violate the other" The
language Of the Constitution" said Stan.
berry, sis tho plain to be misunderstood.
The President 10 10 be impeached only on
conviction of treason, bribery or other high
| crimes or misdemeanors, and what sort Of
crimes and rnisdemeanors? Why, such as
assimiIated 10 those enumerated. Look
| through all the c0rrelative provisions Of the
| Constitution on the subject examine the
proceedings dc the Convention and see how
s~trdiously they rejected all impeachment
FIR misdemeanors ia Office and how stead.
lily they abb cred to the requisition that
nothing but a high crime or misdemean.
or should suffice. Was there ever q more
abortive attempt to make a case for i'm.
parchment (f the President under the
Constitution There never was any real
life in II. Ling since It's slow vitality van.
ished, and no " lies bercft Of life, a shapeless
mass that gives no sign" Stanberry con
tended there was no violation Of law in the
ad interim appointment Of Gen. Thomas,
and concluded his remarks with IN eloquent
appeal 10 the Senate for the President. His
closing word were az follows: But il,
Senators, as cannot believe, bat as has
been said with almost official sanction, your
votes are car vassed and the doom Of the
President IL q called. then let that judgment
not be promo inced in this Senate Chamber.
Not here. VII ere our CamilIus, in the hour
Of great PERIL single handed met and bafied
his country enemies not here where he
stood faithful among the faithless ; not here
where be fought the good fight for the Union
and the Constitution not in this chamber,
where the walls still echo with the clarion
voice that in lhe day Of our greatest danger
created hope and comfort 20 many despond.
ing hearts. at ong "a an army with banners.
No, not here Seek out rather the darkest
and gloomiest chamber in the subterrancan
chambers Of this Capitol, where the cheerful
light Of day never enters, and there erect
an altar and immediate the victim" The
latter portion Of Stanberry's speech was
read by w. 7. Frederick. who assisted the
counsel during the trial. Stanberry, how
ever. himself delivered the peroration. con.
cluding ten minutes after three o'clock,
when the cours adjourned.