Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-05-22
The Impeachment Trial.

In another column we give the proceed. :
ings of the Impeachment trial on SATURDAY,
when vote on the 1lth article. resulted in
the Presidents acquittal. II was undoubt
eddy test vote of the whole matter, and
though the result was foreshsdowed some. |
what by the rumors OF the previous week,
1t is very apparent that the announcement
OF the vote created intense feeling in the
public mind. 1t is safe TO say tina, the Re- :
publican party in Maine, rs well as in the !
whole country, were a unit in regard TO The ;
guilt of the accused and demanded his con. 3
siction. The issue between the people and
President was not a personal one They
arra'sned the Executive for grasping tx.
traordinary and ungran,cd powers in the
government--for dangerous usrrna,ions in
claiming the right to decide for himself a.
to the constitutionality of laws. and by his
power OF removal, to carry hi. vote into
effect. over the two thirds vote OF CONGRESS.
HE contest is really one between rppub- :
iicanism and imperialism, and Mr.. John I
son. rs an individual. sinks into insirui !
heance. And in looking at the result. i, is
wise 10 divest the matter Of all personal as
poets lmpeachmcnt, merely as an ~
tempt to get rid Of Andrew johnson ~
PRESIDENT. is failure but Impeachment
as the highest judicial proceeding. under
our Constitution, TO test the greatest prin
cipies of our Government. is far from n
fa''ure-for though in the one case IL re-
fTr1sr IL.
president. and one vote was lacking, which
made it failure, in the other. only ,
majority vote was required and large ma.
Jority was obtained. President johnson
tho technically acquitted Of high m;sde.
nranor' which would have justified expui-
sion from office, has been condemned. nv
the voice OF the highest branch Of the Gov.
crnment, sitting in the capacity o. Jurors.
under the solcmnity of an oath, after 4,
Lengthy trial. conducted in n fair ard i'm
partial manner. and with all The rights wb,cI,
he could claim under The constitution. tsna
ciously claimed by the ablcst counsel !, Ii.
behalf. The principle for whrc!, Conpre..
and the people have contenied. has hoe,
ceed'ngs for Impeachment; are not without
benefit, and are not to be denounced as a
partisan measure. which has proved n failure
Nor IS the result TO be regarded as of any
great political significance in the Campaipn
row opening upon us. The removal from
Office OF President Johnson wa. not neces.
sary TO the success OF the Republican marty
an acqu'ttal does not iii tract the marty
it may ealVanize the democracy into re-.
newed life. which will only serve as an in.
eenfive to exertion on our part 1t is true
that the course OF the seven Republican Sen.
ators who so sadly disappointed their friend.
aud constituents. By voting Tor acuuittaI.
produces some hard feelings, and son. vi
Imperative language may be used some bit.
ternes' may be shown, and possibly SONS.
body may be hnrt--but the numerical los,
to the party will be small.
IL would be pueriIe. il would he mea,
and grossly unjust TO impugn The motive, Of
snch men-men vino have BEEN pioneer +,
the cause Of freedom. and Statesmen Of ac.
knowledged ability. unless grounds for su,
Pic'on oil The putty OF their motives an
pear. We must accord to them sincerity.
IN their course. until something arises 10 /
throw doubts upon them. Their motive.
Nili be severely scanned and wo be to either
OF them It stain, touching this matter, be
ioond upon their political sktrts.
ne people Of Maine. il !. 70 be regret. .
ted, are held accountable for. aud has. ,o
deal With one Of these men. and o,s H.
has long been rega ded a. smo,g ,h. 60,
Influential Senator'S at the Board 4,
"'esS"'y 70 speak Of Mr.. Fessendre'.
,A"u"g' hitherto. in bis own Slate
ii's intellectual a',ainments, bis legal acu.
men, bus acknowledged statesuan.bip. b,v.
been the pride of aIi--bui it is charged
that h. has mistaken hi. pr9ad,c,s in hi. !