New-York tribune., 1868-03-25
THE PLEAS FOR DELAY.

Let il not be forgotten that Andrew JOHNSON,
though impeached for grave offenses by nearly
three-fourths of the representatives OF the
Americans People, persists in exercising the
powers and welding the vast patronage OF
the Presidency pending his trial, and that he
has in every way caused it to be understood
that not only would he not voluntarily suspend
the exercise of those functions, but he would
resist by force any attempt of Congress to sus-
pend them. Though the public peace is gravely
imperiled by the irreCOnciabe claims OF TWO
rival functiOnaries to be respected and obeyed
by the Army and the People as Secretary OF
War, Mr.. johnson seeks to protract this peril
Gus crisis to the utmost. For what1 The Hon.
James Brooks, in resisting impeachment IN the
House. unwittingly-or rather witlesSly-said:
owe have been told though not here and now that the
President should impeached because ne was an Op
sructon in the way of restoring certain states INTO the
be but is not directly power Sir we are all O6luc
tons to that party my associates, myself we az haSe
been and intend to be- obstacles ih tno way Vi o
lican party's highhanded proceedings
There is the whole game clearly exposed
a conspiracy to wear out the residue OF his
term by dilatOry requests and proceedings, so
rs 10 defeat Impeachment by never allowing
the Court a chance to render its verdict 1t Is
the case of the culprit who, upon conviction,
being allowed by the Judge to choose his
own manner of death, respOnded-"l choose
then, vour Honor, to die of old age" such
are in essence the choice and the tactics OF
| Andrew johnson.
Mr.. Brooks pertly expresses the position when
he uses the word obstacles Neither the
President nor his friends have desired trial.
| If Mr.. Johnson were conscious that his deeds
/ Ill, l.,
| Senate. He would be only too anxious to give
the reasons for them. Yet, when summoned to
answer, he insists that it would take forty
davs to consider the articles of impeachment.
Remembering that these articles recited acts
which he had carefully planned and boldly
executed, the demand seemed preposterous,
and was rejected by the Senate. Ten
DAYS were granted him, and, we venture
TO say, the answer is as thorough as though It
had been discussed by eager lawyers for a
wear. We have read it quite carefully, and
feel satisfied the lawyers say as much as can
be said. If the lawyers could do so well with
the answer, they can easily arrange their case
by Monday. We arc glad the Senate did not
extend the time beyond that day.
We are inpatient with these delays because
we have q feeling that the President and his
counsel are trihing with the country. If any
| extended time were really necessary, II the IN
tcrests of justice or the National welfare sui
fered by this urgency, we should be content
with a postpOnement. No man OF common
sense can look at these articles of impeach-
ment. and the Presidents answer, and
the general issue therein contained,
without seeing that the whole case might
be determined in a week. Certain facts
are alleged; no one denies them. The Presi-
dent claims he can prove other facts. Accord
ing to Mr. Bingham, the Managers are willing
to admit them. The mere evidence is thus lim-
tied to the testimony of a half-dOzen witnesses,
some of them stenoTaphers, who have merely
TO say that certain written words were spoken
in their hearing by Andrew johnson. Does II
require thirty days to contradict these menf II
the means Of contradiction exist, they can be
found in forty eight hours.
Above all things, the Senate owes to the
country speedy trial. We do not want q
National display of pcttifogging Mr.. Brooks
tells us he is an obstruction" and the Presl-
dent is certainly following out policy OF " OBJ
"struction.r Thus far he has had little sue
cess. The Senate has been liberal, and especi-
ally so in extending the time of trial until Mon
day. The President will be as well prepared
on Monday as he would be if he had six
months On Monday be it, then. Any further
postponement will be detrimental to the country.
Impeachment is peace but an impeachment
trial. as the President is to manage it, is an
| archy.