The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-22
JOHNsON's IMPEACHMENT.
Letter from Man Who Claims to Have
Originated the Idea.
H. NJ. Addison in Cleveland Leader.

II. NJ. Addison in Cleveland Leader
One morning, in 1866, L turned to a desk
and wrote the following letter, containing
ideas that l had entertained for some time.
On finishing it gave it to friend who was
present to read, and after reading it he said
to me very earnestly: Before you mail this
letter you ought to take copy of it. 1t is a
letter of which you may be justly proud in
after year." and without waiting for any re-
ply he put it into his letterboo5 and copying
press, before the ink was thoroughly dry,
ana took copy on two pages, which he cut
out and gave to me:
JEFFERsONvmLE, Ind, Aug. IL, 566.
Governor Morton, IndianapOlis-I feel it a
duty to address you hastily written letter on
SUBJECT OF vast importance to our beloved cOun-
Try. am not, nor do desire to be, alarmist
without cause, but feel confident that an efner
gency is approaching, and may be very near
that can only be successfully met by you and
such Others as have proved themselves equal TO
the task. l respectfully suggest to you what
thlnk ought to be done, and that is, that Con-
gress, at Its next session, while it has the power,
should boldly and promptly impeach Andrew
Johnson. If that Is not done, fear we will, at
no distant period. have another civil war, which,
In It's horrors, will greatly exceed our late one, as
under the patronage or federation of that man,
the new rebellion would nominaily assume the
character or war TO sustain the government
ana our truly loyal men would then be
placed In the attitude OF rebels If Andrew
johnson was timid old man like Buch
anan there would not be much danger
though even then the rebels have learned les
sons 10y dear experience that they would strive
TO profit by: But he has the courage and firm
ness OF Andrew Jackson, combined with the
reckless ambition of any rebel in existence; and,
as matters now stand, has all the advantages OF
mis- position to back hl.u in his schemes. | think
he has furnished ample grounds for summarily
disposing of him-nOt by assassination, but by
mpeaenment-and that measures should be
quietly but thoroughly matured for that pur
pose Immediately after the next meeting of Con-
gress; and consider you one Of the persons pre-
emnently qualified to aid III originating and
perfecGing them.
hope to hear from you soon on the subject of
TINS letter, either directly or, If you should think
IL best, through some reliable Republican who
may know Will represent your sentiments. Per-
haps you may think it policy to not write your
self. If can understand the answer. care not
now unintelliSible 1t may be to any one else.
am very respectfully, your sincere friend,
Fl. NJ ADDISON.
A short time after the date of that letter
Governor Morton was i'll Jacksonville, and
bad an interview with him, during which
he said he cordially Endorsed the suggestions
in it-thought they were timely and would
consult with others about them, and that it
really appeared as though carrying them out
would yet be matter of necessity for the
well being of our country. As
Tall oaks from littls acorns grow
Large streams from little fountains flow,
l have always thought that from so small
beginning as that letter originated the i'm
peachment trial of Andrew johnson, which,
though it failed to GUST him from office, took
his mypolicy" bull by the horns SO vigor-
ously that it rendered him comparatively
harmless during the remainder of his admin
istration, and rendered his election 20 the
presidency as impossible as is that of Roscoe
Conkling. If any one else can prove an older
or better claim to that honor l will cheer
fully give him due credit for it; but, till that
is DONE 1 think it fairly belongs to your occa-
sional contributor