The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-03-04
The Intelligencer Job Office.

Ba5~ In nll cases, the money will be required
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with the cash, will receive prompt attention.
ident he took the oath to obey the Con.
stltution OF the United States and to take
care that the laws be faithfully executed.
This WAS solemn and enduring obliea-
tion. nor can he plead exemption from it
on account of his condition at the time it
was administered to him. All attempt
to obstruct the execution cf the law-not
mere omission, amounting to negligence,
which would Lave been msdemeanor-
but daring and bold conspiracy was at
tempted by him to induce the General of
the army to aid him in defeating the ope-
ration OF this law; and when he had sus-
pended the Secretary of War, he appoint
ed General Grant Secretary ad interim,
with the avoweti purpose Of preventing
the operation of the law if the Senate
should decide in favor of the Secretary
and he Says that the General did enter
into such conspiracy to aid him in OBJ
structing the return of the rejected Sec
retary, Notwithstanding the Senate might
decide in his favor This is denied by the
General, and question of veracity, rath-
err angrily discussed, has arisen between
them. Those gentlemen seem to consid-
or that that question is one of Importance
to the public. In this they are mistaken.
Which is the man of truth and which the
man of talschood is of no more public i'm
portance than if it arose between two OBJ
scure individuals. If Andrew Johnson
tells the truth, then he'is guilty of high
official misdemeanor, for he avows his
effort to prevent the execution of the law.
If the General Commanding tells the
truth, then the President is guilty of q
high misdemeanor, for he declares the
same thing of the President, denying on
ly his own completely No argument can
make this point palmer than the state
ment of the culprit. If he and the Gen
eral told the truth, then he committed
wilful perjury by refusing to take care
that the laws should be duly executed,
To show the anmus and guilty knowl-
edge 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 lie has since persevered in attempt
ing to enforce it. Indeed, TO show his
utter disregard of the laws of his country
we have only to turn TO his last annual
message, in which he proclaims to the
public that the laws of Congress are un-
constitutional, and not binding on the
people. Who, after that, can say that
such man is fit 10 occupv the Executive
chair, whose duty it is to inculcate obedi-
enco to and see that these very laws are
faithfully obeyed? Then the great beau
ty of this remedial and preventive process
is clearly demonstrated lie is dull and
blind who cannot see its necessity and the
beneficial purposes Of the trial by i'm
peachment
By the sixth section Of the act referred
to, it is provided that every removal, ap-
pointment, or employment made or exer-
ciscd contrary to the provisions of this
act, and the making, signing, scaling,
countcrsigning, or issuing OF any commits
sion or letter Of authority for or in respect
to any such appointment or employment,
shall be deemed, and are hereby coclarcd
to be high misdcmeanors; and upon trial
and conviction thereof every person guilty
thereof shall be punished by fine not
exceeding $4,000, or be imprisoned not
exceeding five years, or both, said punish
mcnt in the discretion of the court Now,
in defiance Of this law, Andrew Johnson,
on the 21st day of February, 1868, issued
his commission or letter of authority to
Lorenzo Thomas, appointing him Secrc-
tary of War ad interim: and commanded
him to take possession of the Department.
of War, and to eject the incumbent, E.
NJ. Stanton there in lawful possession OF
said office. Here, if this act stood alone,e
would be an undeniable official misde-
mcanor, not only misdemcanor per Sc,
but declared to be so by the act itself, and
the party made indictable and punishable
in criminal proceeding.
If Andrew Johnson escaped with bare
removal from Office if he be not fined
and incarceratcd in the pcnitentiary alter
wards, under criminal proceedings, liz
may thank the weakness of ciemency of
Congress, and rot his own innocence. We
shall propose 10 prove on the trial that
Andrew Johnson was guilty of misprision
of bribery, by Offering to Gen. Grant, if
he would unite with him in his lawless
violence, to assume, in his stead, the PEN
alties and endure the Imprisonment de-
nounccd by the law. Bribery is one of
the offences specifically enumerated for
which the President may be impeached
and removed from office. By the Consti-
tuition, article second, section second, the
President has power to nominate, and,
by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate, to appoint sl officers OF tho
United States whose appointments are
not therein otherwise provided for. and
which shall be established by law, and to
fll up all vacancies that may happen
during the recess Of the Senate by grant