The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1868-03-06


they were two obscure individuals.
If Andrew Johnson tells the truth
then he is guilty of high official mis-
demeanor, for he avows his effort TO
prevent the execution of the laws.
If the General commanding tells the
truth, then the President is guilty of
high m;sdemeanor, for he declares the
sar&e thing of the President, denying
only his own completely. No argu.
ment can make this point palmer than
the statement of the culprit If he
and the Gehbfal told the truth, then
he committed a wifrl perjury by re-
fusing to take care that the laws
should be duly executed.
To show the animus and guilty
Knowledge with which this law was
violated. we have only to turn to the
proceedings of the Senate notifying
him of his illegal and void conduct,
and then to consider that he has
since persevered in attempting TO en-
fdlce it /; and to show his utter disre-
gard of the laws of his country we
have only to turn to his last annual
message, in which he proclaimed to
the public that the laws Of Congress
are Unconstitutional and not binding
or the people. Who, after this, can
say that such a man is fit to occupy
the executive chair, whose duty it is
to vindicate obedience Ind see that
these very laws are faithfully. obeyed?
Then the great beauty of the reme-
dy and preventive process is clearly
demonstrated He is dull aud blind
who cannot see its necessity, and the
beneficial results ard purposes Of the
trial by impeachment. By the sixth
section of the act referred to it is pro.
vided that every removal, appoint
meht or employment made or exertis-
ed contrary to the provisions of this
act, or that making, sealing, counter
signing or issueing of any commits
sion or letter Of authority, for or in
respect to any such appointment or
employment, shall be deemed, and
are declared,to be high misdemeaners,
and, upon trial and conviction thereof,
shall bo punished by fine not exceed
ing ter. thousand dollars, or by impris-
onment not exceeding five years, or
both said punishments, in the discre.
ton of the court
Now, Andrew Johnson, on tine 2lst
day of February, 1868, issued his com
Missionary letter of authority 10 Lo-
renzo Thomas, appointing him Secre-
tery of War ad interim, and command-
ing him to take possession of the De-
partment of War, and to eject the in
cumbent, e. NJ Stanton, then in law
tul possession of said Office.
Here, if this act stood alone, it
would be an. undeniable official misde-
meanor not only misdemeanor per Sc
but declared to bo so by the act it,
self, ard the party made indictable
and punishable in criminal proceed
ing!
If Andrew Johnson escapes with a
bare removal from office, if he be not
fined and incarcerated in the peniten-
tiary afterward under criminal pro-
ceedings, he may thank the weakness
OF Congress and not his own inno-
cence.
We shall propose to prove in the
trial that Andrew Johnson was guilty
Of misprison of bribery, by Offering
to Gen Grant, if he would unite with
him in his lawlcss violence, to assume
in his stead the penalties, and TO en-
dure the Imprisonment prescribed by
the law.
Bribery is one of the offenses. spec
idlly enumerated for which the Pres
ident may be impeached and removed
from Office by the constitution. Ar.
ticIe I'd, section I'd: The President
has power TO nominate and, by and
with the advice and consent Of the
Senate to appoint all officers Of the
United States whose appointments are
not therein otherwise provided for,
and which shall DO established by law,
and all vacancies that may happen
during the recess of the Senate, grant
ing commissions which shall expire at
the end of the next session. Nowhere,
either in the Constitution or by stat
ute, has the President power to create
a vacancy during the recess Of the
Senate, and oil il without the advice
and consent of the same. On the 2fst
day of February, 1868, while the SEN
ate'Bas in session, he enotifed the head
of the War Department that he was
removed from office, and his success
sor ad interim appointed. Here is a
plain recorded violation Of the consti-
tuition and laws, which alone. would
make any honest aud intelligent man
give his vote for impeachment.
The President had persevered in bis
lawless course through a series Of un.
justifable acts When the so-called
Confederate States Of America were
conquered and had laid down their
arms and surrendered their territory
to the victorious Union government,
and tho final disposition of the con
quered country belonged to Congress
alone, according.to the principle Of the
law Of nations, neither tho executive
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