Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-02-20
Ross, of Kansas. Interesting Bit
of History.


Washington Correspondence OF Chicago Journal
Facts have recently come TO ny
knowledge pertaining to the impesch-
ment trial of ex.President johnson
that are not generally known, aud
whlio 4 sive them as matter of aews
and history, L am sctuated also by a
desire to do justice TO an honest man,
ex-senator Ross, of Kansas. At the
time of the trial, it will be remember
ed, 1t was asserted and generally be-
lieved, and possibly yet, that Mr. Ross
was paid TO vote, as he did, for the ac-
quittal of Mr.. Johnson. 1t will be
remembered, too, that all but seven
OF the oenaIoIs expressed themselves
as to the guilt or innocence of the
President these seven, however,
maintained an ominous silence. Dur
ing the days of suspense previous TO
and during the trial, Senator Ross
was supplied with letters and tele-
grams from all parts of the country,
eeseeching, threatening and demands
ing that he cast his vote with the
majority, and thus convict Johnson.
He was told that should be vote for
acquittsl his life even should pay the
penalty, that he should be degraded
aud ostracised, and driven ignomin-
ouslyfrom the Statethat had so trusted
and honored him. At this time Sena.
tor Ross brother Swallowed him day
and night, pleading with him in the
most eloquent manner to tell bin how
he intended to vote, and begging him
to remember his family and himself,
and not to destroy himself by voting
in opposition to his party. When in
formed that he could not crafty him,
the brothers parted, one with impre-
cations and the other with calm de-
termination to do as he, himself, be-
lieved was right. A reconciliation
only recently took place between
them. Governor Crawford, to whom
Ross was indebted for his first term
in the Senate, wrote him, pleading
him as his best friend not to disap-
point the country in his vote, while
upon the day of the ballot, ID. r.
Anthony and other prominent radi-
Gals of Leavenworth, sent him a tele-
gram savagely demanding an affirm
alive vote at his hands. On the other
hand, Pendleton, Vallandigham,
Wooley, and other prominent Demo-
Gratis, through third parties pledged
the magnificent sum of $4,000 TO
secure Mr.. Rs vote for acouittal. -
This was pressed upon Ross from all
sides, and every known means were
adopted to secure pledge favorable
to Johnson. Still he was silent. and
neither brides, Establishments, threats.
or aught else could move him. Prob.
ably no man was ever more sorely
tried, and it seems an almost unac-
countable matter that he persevered
SO determinedly to keep his own
counsels. At length the moment
came when be was to perform the act
of his life. A death.like stiffness
hung over the crowded Senate floor
and galleries every eye was fastened
upon him, and as the words, "Not
Guilty" fell from his lips, he calmly
met the gaze of the vast concourse,
and emerged from the contest con-
science free, but only to meet the
curses offriends and foes. The inter-
est of millions hung upon his acts and
he stood before the world q central
object in q drama, parallel to which
cannot be found in history. To day,
in proof of Senator Ross innocence.
IL is only necessary to merely cite
his present circumstances and SUR
roundings. He is located in an OBJ
scure town in Southern Kansas, en-
gagged in publishing q weekly paper,
and wholly dependent upon the same,
from the proceeds of which he derives
an humble living. | can only say
that have given the faintest outline
of this matter, but have, / believe,
said enough to convince the most pre-.
JUDGED of the absolute innocence of
Edmund G Ross.