The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1868-05-06
THE PRESIDENT HAS NO DEFENSE,

Nothing, literally nothing, can be
said in defense of this criminal. Up
on his own admission he is guilty in
substance of the gravest charges con-
tanned in the articles of impeachment
exhibited against him by the House of
Representatives. In his personal con-
duct and character he presents no quail
| ity or attribute which enlists the SYM
pathy or the regard of men. The ex-
hibition which he madein this chamber
on the 18th of March, 1865, by which
the nation was Inundated and repub-
lican institutions disgraccd, in the
presence of the representatives of the
civilized nations of the earth, is truth
full exhibition of his character. His
violent. denunciatory, blasphemous
declarations made TO the people on
various occasions, and proved by the
testimony submitted to the Senate,
illustrate other qualities of his nature.
His cold Indifference to the desolation,
disorder, and crimes in the ten States
of the South exhibit yet other and
darker features.
Can any one entertain the opinion
that Mr.. johnson is not guilty of such
crimes as to justify his removal ircm
Office and his disqualification to hold
any Office of trust Or profit under the
United States?
Andrew Johnson has disregarde1
and violated the laws and constitution
of his own country. Under his adj
ministration the Government has not
been strengthened, but weakened Its
reputation and influence at home and
abroad have been injured and dimin-
ished. He has not outraged dis
tant people, bound to us by no ties,
but those which result from conquest
and the exercise of arbitrary power on
our part; but through his violation Of
the laws, and the influence of his evil
example upon the men Of the South,
in whose hearts the purposes and the
passions OF the war yet inger, he has
brought disorder, confusion, and blood
shed to the homes of twelve millions
of people, many Of whom are Of our
own blood and all Of whom are our
own countrymcn. Ten States of this
Union are without law, without secu-
rty, without safety; public order
everywhere violated, public justice
nowhere respected; and all in consc-
quence of the evil purposes and ma
chinations of the President. Forty
million people have been rendered an
xious and uncertain as to the prcser-
vatiop of public peace, and the pcrpo-
tuity of the institutions Of freedom in
this country.
This respondent will look in vain,
even in the South, for any testimonials
to his virtues or to his public conduct.
All classes are oppressed hy the pri-
vate and public calamities which he
has brought upon them. They ap-
peal to you for relief. The nation
waits in anxiety for the conclusion Of
these proceedings. Forty million OF
people, whose interest in public affairs
is in the wise and just administration
of the laws, look to this tribunal as n
sure defense against the encroachments
of Criminal Chief Magistrate.
Will any one say that the heaviest
Judgment which you can give is any
adequate punishment for these crimes?
Your Office is not punishment, but to
secure the safety of the republic. But
human tribunals are inadequate to
punish those criminals, who, as rulers
or magistrates, by their example, con-
duct, policy, and crimes, became the
scourge of communities and nations.
No picture, no power of the magma
ton, can illustrate and conceive the
suffering Of the poor but loyal people
of the South. A patriotic, virtuous,
law-abiding Chief Magistrate would
have healed the wounds Of war, sooth-
ed private and public sorrows, pro-
tected the weak, encouraged the strong
and lifted from the Southern people
the burdens which now are greater
than they can bear.
1t is yours to relieve, not to punish
This done and our country is again
advanced in the intelligent opinion of
mankind. In other Governments an
unfaithful ruler can be removed only
by revolution, violence, or force. The
proceeding here is judicial, and accor-
ding TO the forms of law. Your judg-
ment will be enforced without the aid
of policeman or a soldier. What
other evidence will be needed of the
valueof republican institutions? What
other test of the strength and vigor of
our Government What other assur-
ance that the virtue Of the people is
equal to any emergency Of national
life?
The contest which we carry on at
your bar is contest in defense of the
constitutional rights of the Congress
of the United States, representing. the
people of the United States, against
the arbitrary, unjust, illegal claims OF
the Executive.
The freedom, prosperity and power
of America are assured. The friends
of constitutional liberty throughout
Europe will hail with JOY the assured
greatness and glory of the new repub-
lie. Our internal difficulties will rap
idly disappear. Peace and prosperity
will return to every portion of the
country. In few weeks or months
we shall celebrate q restored Union