Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-02-22
The Tactics of The Governor How
they may be Net by tbs
Opposition.
CisytOH Alone Responsible for the
Pow---lmDeaChmsnt a hsGss-
sity---Ths Law Of The
Case.
From the Little Rock Gszstls.l
WHAT Is INVOLVED IN THE 90

,eonfe inmates the control Of registr8-
ri0u and election two years hence, and
the perpetuatiOn OF this despOtlc
mower and tyrannic reign for four
wears more. 1t will therefore be seen
that the issue involves interests Of the
most mOmentOus magnitude and I'M
D0rfspce. If Clayton succeeds in his
dpzpOtic and diabOliCal schemes, the
Government will continue for years
in the hands of men who, having no
svmpathies with or from the people,
will naturally retaliate upon them, as
all tyrants do, by making their reign
as hateful and OdiOus as possible.
HOW THE ISSUE NAY BE MET.
Now how must this issue be met so
"A 10 avert this dreadful calamity?
II the Supreme Court fails, then there
il hut one hope left, and tnat is in the
frmness and fidelity Of the majority
of the House Of Representatives, who
have thus far shown themselves to be
trua friends and faithful representa-
fives of the people. They hold a power
even greQfer than that Of the Executive,
which they can, if they will, use with
powerful and telling effect. They
have the Governor and all his gang
of wretched plunderers in their grasp,
aud can, If they will, force them to
terms. and. cOerCe them into a re-
spectfuI regard for the rights, wishes,
and interests Of the people. They hold
one sure check upon the mad schemes
Of the Governor and his accOmplices,
which may avail, in the last resort, if
all other appeals and all other Teme-
dies fail, and that is their pOJDer TO stop
all appropriations! This power has
been used, and successfully 50, too, on
more occasions than one, by the House
Of Representatives Of Congress, when
in conflict with the President or the
Senate on much less important issues
than that now presented to the House
OF Representatives Of our Legislature.
The highest considerations of duty
and patriotism demand of our Repre-
sentatives that they should interpOse
this constitutional power and check
against the revolutionary and danger
gang.
THE TACTICS or THE GOvERNOR-
HOW TO MEET THEM.
We are well aware that it is a part
of the tactics Of the Governors clique
10 starUs the House into sUbjeCtiOn
and submission. They have already
Htqted. through their spokesman In
the Senate, that that body will not
vote for any appropriation until the
House comes to their terms. Now,
let u. see which can win in a trial OF
this kind. We are well aware that a
large number Of the members Of the
- hr.f
out indefinitely. But we can safely
assure those members that, whenever
an issue Of that kind is made, they
tCH not JUGgt for friends. The houses
OF our citizens will be freely thrown
open to them, where they can abide
and flight it out On that line all the
the summer" If Necessary, without
its costing them a cent. Let them but
make the issue, and we will guaran-
tee they will not lack the means.
This is a desperate remedy, it is true,
but desperate cases require desperate
remedies, and to our mind the pOliti-
cal situation here is now in most
desperate condition.
CLAYTON ALONE REsPONsIBLE,
Governor Clayton has by his own
indiscreet and persistent persecution
of Lieutenant Governor Johnson,
brought himself to the unenviable at
titude he now occupies. He was
elected 10 the United States Senate by
one of the most complimentary votes
that was ever given 70 mortal man for
that high station; and We hazard
nothing i'm saying that a large num-
Der, il not a majority Of those who
voted for him, did so under the belief,
and with a view to the fact Lieuten-
ant Governor johnson, in whose fidel-
ity and integrity the people had en-
tire confidence, would, as his cOnsti-
tutiOual successor, succeed to the Office
of Governor. And III Governor Clay
voice OF the people thus ex-
pressed through their representa-
tives, by at once accepting the office
of United States Senator, to which he
had been elected, and allowed his
Constitutional successor TO step into
his shoes, the administration Of the
government would have gone on
quietly and harmOniOusly, and the
Legislature would now have been
well nigh through all their labOrs, and
universal peace and satisfaction would
have prevailed throughout all our
borders. FOreseeing the disastrous
events that would result from the
course which the Governor has
thought proper 10 pursue, we advised
him from time 10 time 10 desist; and
we faithfully pointed out 10 him the
shoals and quicksands upon which he
was driving and upon which he has
finally wrecked his political fortunes.
IMPEACHMENT A NECESSITY.
In our opinion the House Of Repre-
soptatives was forced from an absolute
and pressing necessity to resort TO
the harsh measures against the Gov
ern0r which they have thought proper
10 adopt. Something Of that kind
seemed absolutely necessary TO ar
rest the Governor in the cOnsumma-
ton of his mad and revolutionary
schemes which were patent 70 the
most casual observer. he was not
only abusing the power and influence
Of the high office, but was using them
maniiestly for the purpose Of defeating
the will and the wishes Of the people,
and bringing about results which IL
was reasonably feared would be disas-
trous TO the rights, interests and lib
critics Of the people. In this matter
the House Of Representatives have
discharged their duties.
THE LAW OF THE CASE.
What is the legal effect Of the House
Resolution, inpeachiag Governor
Clayton and suspending him from the
functions Of his office? This is an i'm
pOrtant question, for "thrice armed
Is he whose cause is JUST and fortified
by law.
The Constitution, In section 2 OF ar
ticle z, says:
"The House Of representatives shall
have the sole power Of impeachment. /
All impeachment shall be tried by
the Senate.
The Impeachment, therefore, is one
thing, and the trial OF impeachment
another, and altogether different
thing. The House has the sole power
TO impsGch; aud the Senate the sole
power 70 tyy. Now in the present
attitude and condition Of the case,
Governor Clayton Is simply impedcled,
mis- trial may not take place for weeks
or months. as may be the mood of the
Senate. But how does this img60ch.
gseHt effect the Governor In relation to
his exercising the functions Of lis of-
ice, before or during his trialg That's
the question, and the Constitution
answers that question by making a