Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-06

States, was called before the bar of
the Senate, and impeached of high
crimes and misdemeanors.
We cannot linger over the details of
the great trial which followed. AS
the days went on it was seen by many
right thinking men that the charges
against the President were political
rather than criminal and that his re-
moval would be an act of gross injus
tice. But the passions of the North
were aroused to the highest pitch.
The people were demanding Johnson's
removal. Tremendous pressure was
brought to bear upon every Republic
can senator to gain his vote for con-
viction, a vote that was against the
man whom the Republicans them
selves had elected. Two-thirds of
the Senate were necessary to secure
| this result. If seven Republicans
should vote against conviction the
presidency would be saved.
AS the trial progressed, the opinions
of most of the Senators became
known, and 1t was seen that the result
would turn upon the vote of seven
| doubtful Republicans. Should the
|
conviction of the President would be
assured. Among these seven was
Fessenden. With that fine discrimi-
nation, with that high sense of JUS
tice that he possessed he felt that he
must vote for acquittal. When this
feeling became known the country was
aroused to fury. The pressure brought
to bear upon him was terrific. Men
| I, lie a
with death, so great was their rage.
Every form of calumny and abuse
was heaped upon him. 1t seemed that
vote against conviction would mean
for Fessenden exile from his country
an ignominious end to his long ana
| glorious career.
Nevertheless, when Chief Justice
Chase called upon him for his vote. he
rose in his place, and, facing the wrath
of the whole nation, looking, as he
supposed, into his political grave,
grave dug by his own hands, he pro-
nouneed the words Not guilty.
He was the first of the doubtful
Senators to vote. The other six,
taking courage from his example,
voted likewise, and by one vote the
President was acquitted. Had the re-
suit been otherwise a dangerous pre-
cedent would have been established,
Had the result been otherwise the
Presidency would have been ever after
at the mercy of every changing whim
of the people. Had the result been
otherwise a blow would have been
struck at the foundation Of the Ameri-
can government.
At this distant day it is hard for us
to appreciate the courage of those
seven men. The historian Rhodes
ably sums up their action in these
words: The glory of the trial was the
action of the seven recusant Senators.
Only after great inward trouble could
these Senators come to their deter
mination. 1t was so easy to go the
other way, to agree with the %. most
of whom were honest men and some
of whom were able lawyers. that in
tegrated the evidence and the law in
favor of conviction. The average
Senator who hesitated finally gave his
voice with the majority, but these
seven in conscientiousness and deli
cacy of moral fiber were above any
average, and in refusing to sacrifice
their ideas of justice to a popular de-
mand. which in this case was neither
insincere nor unenlightened they
showed a degree of courage than
which we know no higher. Hard as
was their immediate future they have
received their need from posterity,
their monument in the admiring trib-
ute of all who know how firm they
stood in an hour of supreme trial."
AS time went on and the passions of
seemed
Senator Fessenden might gain back
the respect and confidence of the coun-
try. A year after the trial he stood
for reelection. But before the people
could show their appreciation of his
heroic services he had gone to
greater reward. The name of William
Pitt Fessenden is written high upon
the roll of Americas great statesmen.
He gave the full measure of his
strength to the service of his country.
When his duty demanded it he faced
the wrath and scorn of the nation, to
save il from mistake In the words
of his collegemate, Longfellow, ne
knew
How sublime thing 1t Is
To suffer and be strong
The priceless memory of what he was
ana what he ulu TciliuiHS ~ u.s. ~ up
rs on to those ideals which the college
ever holds before us. In the days 10
come, when the names Of the heroes
of peace. as well as the heroes OF
war. shall be written in places of honor,
high among the shining names ina.
will grace Bowdoin's hall Of fame will
be written the name Of the devoted
patriot, the heroic statesman-Wiiiiam
Pitt Fessenden.