Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-11-01

sist sleh action, he would at least leave the
office AZ the disposal of the President; This, the
President said the general acknowledged before
theentiFe Cabinet with an abashed look never to
be forgotten.
Thil is the story that has hitherto been
only Isguely limited at by newspapers and
by politicians It is ample for Mr.. john
sons viadication. He is sustained by all
the members of his Cabinet and by Gen.
Sherman, who makes it plain that Gen.
Grant, had he made the same statement
to the President SIS to Stanton's conduct
that he had made to him, he (Grant)
would have, if he did not entirely exon
onerate himself from blame, have saved
himself at least the humiliation which
originsted his dislike to Mr.. Johnson, forced
him into antagonism and enmity to the
President, and induced him subsequent
" to indorse the impeachment and urgeit
upon his friends in Congress. Thus Mr..
Johnson is fully exonerated from all the
charges brought against him by
Mr.. Depew and his friends. What
ever mistakes he made, it can
that he was a traitor in the faintest
degree to his country or its constitution,
or even hsrbored thought that was in
the least opposed to the perpetuity OF the
Union in its original integrity. When
impeached by the patty that could not use
him he said: 'I have taken a step which
| believe to be right, and intend to abide
by it. l do not want TO see this govern
ment relapse into a despotism. l have
ever battled for the rights and liberties of
the people, and / am now endeavoring to
defend them from arbitrary power.
L have been struggling ever since / occu-
pied this chair to uphold the constitution,
which they (the Radicals) are trslnpling
under foot The defense l de-
sire T. make is not merely for the Senate.
l eale nothing for conviction by that
body if | stand acquitted by the people"
His thought was always on his duty to the
people. He wanted above all things to
stand well with them and to be true to his
friends. When suggestions and overtures
were made by Senator Pomercy and
others, that he could buy his safety from
Radical malevolence by changing his Cabi-
net, he became indignant, and said, as Col.
Moore notes in his diary: 81 will have to
insult some of these men yet. l
had rather be convicted than resort to
fraud, corruption and bribery of any kind.
Conviction with clear conscience is far,
far preferable to acguittal with knowl-
edge of guilt" He WAS full of the courage
OF truth and rectitude of purpose, and he
was appreciated for this and other good
qualities by all the members of his Cabi-
net except Mr.. Stanton. OYertures were
made to Mr.. Seward to the effect that in
the event of a change of administration
(Johnson's removal from the Presidency
he should be retained in Office, provided
he did nothing to interfere with the prog
ress of impeachment. To this the vener-
able Secretary replied: 81 will see you
| damned first. The impeachment of the
President is the Impeachment of the Cabi-
| net" Attorney General Stanbery who had
some misgivings at the first of impeach-
| ment, said as to the trial, as Col. Moore
reports him in memorandum Of date the
10Th OF March, 1868:
| see IL it nothing but good. 1t gives You the
| great opportunity to vindcate yourself as Presi
| gives you an opportunity to do not only before
the American people, but before the entire world
| wise have had, to search and probe everything
connected with your official life-to show whe ther
is not the policy of wisdom: TO show what would
have been tue resul: if it had been carried out,
and to bring before the public the results
| OF the course which yoIr, political oP-
5Oaehts - have pursued. Why; Mr.. Presi.
party which elected you. ! am one Of that
| party. When | put the question to II yself as tc
| services, find that | am far behind you in coed
fGF Sssy or psr re SGs Ra have 2d
| hae been IN the face of all sorts of dangers and
ditleplties: From he first a nion man; do
|
had in you? So far from it. if you had taken any
other course, | should have been sadly
succeeded Mr. Lincoln SAID tha
the danger was that in his death the South ha(
the injuries you h Id received from the Southern
people, would not deal with them mercifully
That Mr.. President, was my, fear, ,anC
entertaining this, idea, l would not hav,
entered your administration at the tint
it was :. first. formed: came herr
| the succeeding winter. L found you doin~ you
| hest for recon cl atiOl, NiivH you called
70 Washington ! did not hesitate moment ,.
have watched you day and night; / have beer
with you under all circumstances and have beer
J cOnsuitod hg you upon every subject, from th
| administration, and ] have seen nothing Which
Eat seaG "A your nlaee. TGulq -nGt have don
myself. Tits Impeachment trouble grows out o
found Mr.. Stanton in perfect harmony with you
! While you were absent on your Western tour
commenced talking about matters, and said
Sou frf5d0nf f5sb seems saS,r5 to r9padG mo-
be rssSed sSH tnaf believe h he eSes Tba, wes
, August, 1856 Mr.. Presifent if can only kee
well for this trial, will be willing to be sic
: you viii cone out Of i brighter than you hag
| eyer shone. Il sG
This testimony to his fidelity as tn
| highest oiiicer i'll the republic by thos
who were closest to President johnson
who shared with him III its responsible
= ties, ought to be final with all fsir-minde
p and palrlotlC CltlZens, Noftn or Souti
/, ! East or West, who value character as tn
u | noblest achievement OF men. 1t rehuke
. the siandSress anu MAKES OH ena OF a
!, doubt. II dispels the cloud that tempo
!. rarily obscured an honestly and homo
ably acquired and weli-won reputation
u and makes for truth and justice. Andre
a Johnson halOngs TO history. In time
g come it will deal with him as he deserve
g g fairly and impartially, but the men OF h
time who have survived to this day, an
h those of this generation, may be sure th;
e whatever its Judgment, it will neve
A. charge him with being corrupt, dishone
g or unpatriotic, and will write of him tn
!, he was the answering, uncompromisir
d and unconquerable friend Of the peopl
10 the defender OF the constitution and law
and that his policy OF restoration has bet
1t justified by eVepts since 1876 and by Il
Il prosperity that has come to the South sI
- the whole Union since reconstructit
nf ended. ]. NJ. HEATING.