The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1868-04-04
The Trial.

The trial of the great criminal was re-
gains, or rather strengthens, of the Presi-
dents conviction. We give below synop-
sis of the proceedings on Wednesday.
On the opening of the Court Mr.. Sumner
brought up the question oc the right of the
Chief Justice to vote, but the Senate by
vote of yeas "a, nays 81, reiterated its for
mer decision. The question as to the ad-
instability of the testimony of Mr.. Burleigh
in regard 10 conversation held with Gen.
Thomas, in which he avowed his intention
to use force to obtain possession of the War
Department, was taken up. Though the
admissibilty of this evidence was decided
on the preceding day by the Chief Justice,
and the Senate affirmed his right to make
that decision the whole subject was re opened
on Wednesday and argued at length. The ar
gument, however, enabled the House Mana.
gers to show how complete was their mastery
Of the case. Two speeches were made on
each side, and Mr.. Evarts attempted to
make third in behalf Of the President, but
the rule limiting the time was enforced, and
the argument cut short. The Senate then
by vote Of yeas 80, nays ll--every Repub-
lcan Senator present voting aye, and every
Democrat nay---decided that the testimony
was admissible The evident anxiety of the
Presidents counsel-they going SO far in
the argument as to practically disavow Gen.
Thomas acts-to keep out his testimony, and
the strong and united vote by which it was
admitted, made the triumph of the House
Managers marked and effective.
The testimony Of MIR Burleigh, when adj
mitted, was to the effect that Gen. Thomas
had avowed to him his intention to take
possession of the War Department, even to
The extent OF breaking down the doors if
they were barred against him. During his
examination another question as to the ad.
instability Of evidence arose, in which the
Senate asserted its supreme power to decide
the law for itself Mr. Butler proposed Il
question as to efforts made at previous
ime by Gen. Thomas to seduce the clerks
ofthe War Department from their obedience
objected, and Chief Justice Chase ruled the
question nadmissible. At the demand of
senator an appeal was taken, and the Sen
ate reversed the decision and declared the
evidence admissible. The Presidents coun
sci subsequently attempted to keep out the
evidence by Directing III succession to every
form in which the question was put, but the
Chief Justice recognized and enforced the
rule making the Senate the final Judge upon
all questions oflaw and evidence, and direct
ed the question to be put. The answer
showed that Gen. Thomas had promised the
clerks to relax the stringent rules enforced
by Mr.. Stanton, to let them go out when
they wanted to go, ETC.. these inducements
being, as the witness thought in the light of
subsequent events, to influence them to sup
port his authority as Secretary of War;. =
General Thomas also gave to him subse
quently. as his reason for not using force,
that he had been arrested by the Marshal of
the District on Mr.. Stanton's complaint
Mr.. Samuel WilkeSon gave very importent
testimony to the effect that General Thomas
had avowcd to him that it was his duty to
obey the Presidents order, and that he
would call upon General Grant for military
aid i'll placing him in possession of the War
Department. The last witness examined
was a Delaware Democrat, apparently of
the Deacon Pogram order. lie had met
General Thomas at one of the President $
IeveeS and told him that he 'must stand
firm, that Delaware was watching him ,
and Delaware expected it of him. General
Thomas aVowed that he was standing firm,
that Delaware woUld not be disappointed in
him. and that he would shortly kick that
fellow Stanton out" The witness was so
much appalled, by this fcrocious declaration
that he only found breath to ''rcnow the de-
sire OF Delaware Beside the amusing
character of this witnesses evidence, it was
ouly marked by the Chief Justice checking
the Presidents counsel when they prolonged
his cross examination by trivial questions.