Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-04-24

In the Senate, April rs, the Courl
opened in the usual form.
Grimes offered an amendatory order
that the Court meet hereafter at IL M,
but II was objected to and laid over.
At ll:20 Mr.. Boutwell, resumed his ad
dress, and when he had concluded, Of
| Los, on the motion Of Mr.. johnson, the
Court took a recess for fifteen minutes,
and on reassembling, Mr.. Nelson took
the floor and delivered an extempore ad
dress.
After alluding to the magnitude of the
case, and what he deemed his own ina.
bility properly to treat it, he said he
should consider many points, which,
though not rightly belonging to the case,
required attention, because they had
been introduced by the managers; he re-
ferred, he said, to the charges of an evil
nature, wickedness, and of detestable
character, which had been brought
against the President, and which so far
had remained unnoticed by his counsel;
the President was accused Of being every.
thing, from political criminal to q COM
mon seold, and these accusations, stig-
mas and aspersions, he intended to exam
inc. Mr.. Nelson then asking, who
is Andrew Johnson ?" proceeded to
sketch the Presidents early life and ca
reer, and passed high enoomium on his
patriotism and public service, referring
also to the fact that his neighbors and
those who, like himself (Nelson), knew
him best, sustained him, and believed
him innocent. Mr.. Nelson said he felt
that he was not merely addressing Sena.
tors or politicians, but judges, whom he
begged to rise above prejudice, or party
considerations, and do impartial JUS
tice. Referring to the immense outside
pressure, which 1t was impossible to
conceal, that unworthy persons and jour
nails had sought to bring to bear upon
them, he said that he was confident that
they would repel it with indignation; if
he could believe that the result Of the
trial was foregons conclusion, humble
individual as he was, he would scorn to
address them; he asked them, as far as
possible, to put themselves in the Presi-
dents place, and to judge Of his feelings
motives and intentions, aud extend to
him that privilege accorded to the mean
est criminal.
The resolution declaring TIE purposes
of the war, which was introduced by
Senator johnson, just after the battle of
Bull Run, was passed by Congress, and
still remains unrepealed; and he claimed
that the President had acted upon it,
and still maintained its principles. He
argued that President Johpaon, after the
surrender Of Gen. Lee, had endeavored
faithfully to carry out the policy of his
predecessor, which was based upon that
resolution, and although some Sena.
tors may conscientiously believe
that he was wrong in his action regard
ing the formation Of new State Govern.
ments, yet they must admit that there is
no express provisions IN the Constitu-
ton for reconstruction, and that the
President had a right to his own opin-
ion, more especially as peace had not
been fully restored, and the necessity for
prompt action was pressing. Honesty
and integrity of motive must in charity
be presumed in such case.
Referring to the recognition by Con-
gress of State Government in Virginia,
formed without the passage of any re-
construction laws, and claimed that Con-
gress had justified the Presidents policy
and it has also, in the act of March /,
1861, dated the cessation of the war
from August, le6a, the time fixed in the
Presidents proclamation, thus recogniz.
ing its validity. He also claimed the
fact that the rebel States had not been
out of the Union, and having thus dis
posed of the charges of usurpation, etc,
based on the Presidents conduct in for
mer years, Mr.. Nelson said he would
now consider the important question,
whether this body is court. He denied
that authority or precedent was found for
its guidance in Parliament, except in the
same way that history was to be con-
suited. Then this is the tribunal of the
Constitution. Mr.. Nelson then quoted
from the debates on the formation of the
Constitution in support of his view, that
the Chief Justice was called upon to
preside as Judge, aud was expected
to state the law, and also decide in the
first instance upon all law questions
which arise. He further commended that
the use of the word trial" in the con-
stitutional provision for impeachment,
shows the judicial character of the Senate
at that time. Hethen proceeded to char
acterize the propositions advanced by the
managers, that the Senate was bound by
no common or statute law, but was a Law
unto itself, and that common law was suf'
6cient evidence in the act, for the
grounds Of its action, is startling
declaration, fraueht with danger to th'
country. He held that they must con
slider their case very lame if forced
to receive evidence on common
fame, which the old adage say
ais a common bar" In the court, anC
the courts alone, are justice and equity
maintained. No such claims would b
advanced, aud the very CATH showed tina
they we're bound by the laws. He de
nounced as morally improper the con
sideration put forward by the managers
that "the people OF the country doman'
conviction, and that the public pulls
beats fitfplly while they delayed. Mr.
NelsonFthen discussed the meaning. o
the terms treason, bribery aud othe
crimes and misdemeanors, and held tina
at the date Of the Constitution treasol
was punishable with death, while briber.
was not The word crime must b
construed with the former, and the ~or'
misdemeanor with the latter. Hene
no offeuse is Improbable that is not
misdemeanor Of that class 10 Whio
bribery then belonged.
AZ this point, il being four clock, o.
motion Of Yates, the Court adjourned
and the Senate, aher brief legislation
also adjourned.
sring Flowers.
The twenty sixth Of April has bee
designated By the common consent