Year: 1867

were cOmptlIcu 10 listen last, returning
with his objections the Reconstruction
bill, was but an invitation to revolution
and civil war, Ii any man had doubted
before, he can doubt no longer, while this
man remains in the Presidency there can
be no tranquility in the country, no Sc
curity for life, liberty and property TO the
loyal citizens Of the South, no such
perfect restoration Of the Government as
the Union army and the Union men of the
nation have docreed, no safety for sin
gle hour from rebellion and revolution


Such man as Mr.. johnson, coming into
the Presidency as he came into it, man
ofhis mental and moral culture, | say
nothing of the dark suspicion which crept
over the minds of men as to his compiled
ty in the assassination Of Mr.. Lincoln,
nor of the fact which I cannot Danish
fIom my mind Of the mysterious connec-
ton between his death and the treachery
of his successor), | say such man in
view of all that has happened should have
walked with uncovered head and very
humbly in the presence of the "loyal"
men OF the nation and of their Represent
atives in the American Congress. 1fthis
nation does not brand with the broad seal
Of its condemnation the usurpations, and
crimes, and msdemeanors of this man. it
will be but an invitation in the future for
a repetition Of his usurpations and Of his
demeanor. Selfprotection and a desire
to preserve the honor Of the nation de-
mand that the Representatives of the peo-
pie shall declare in manner not to be
misunderstood, that no man hereafter
elected President or Vice President shall
present himself at his inauguration drunk
Nor shall he turn the White House into
den of thieves and pardon brokers'
Nor shall he be permitted with impunity
to usurp the prerogatives of Congress
and to assal thi. body with indecent
language all over the country. Unless
this committee take charge Of the matter
and proceed with it, this Congress might
as well lay down its power If even the
evidence which has already been taken
was published, no further action by Con-
gress shall be had, l am satisfied it would
90 to the country as deliberate, solemn
protest against the repetition in future, Of
drunken electioneering tour, which last
year maDtled the cheek Of the nation with
shame That it will be a protest against
his attack upon the law making power of
the country and protest against his
usurra.j0ns, his crimes and his misde-
meauors His crime is not, as many sup
pose, the mere pcrfdy of which he is
guilty TO tie men who elected him, in an
evil hour, Vice President of the United
States. Black and infamous as that crime
is, his crime, and it is the highest known
to the country, is crime against the Re
public itself If the investigations 90 no
further it will establish the question that
the people of this country will not per-
NIT man with impunity to be guilty
The United States is not the only coun-
try that has been disgraced by such an
Executive leader. Fortunately, however,
for mankind, such men are born into the
world but once in centuries to curse the
human race. The nation cries out in its
agony, and calls upon Congress to deliver
it from the shame and disgrace which the
acting President of the country has
brought upon it, it demands that the in
cubus which has blotted our history with
the foulest blot, shall be removed. In
the name Of" loyalty" betrayed, Of law
violated, of the Constitution trampled
upon, the nation demands the impeach-
ment and removal of Andrew Johnson


The Speaker here interrupted Mr.. Ash.
ley, and said that while he knew there
was license of debate on a resolution in
regard to impeachment, he thought the
gentleman from Ohio was proceeding be.
yond that limit.


Mr.. Ashley, after some interruption
from members, continued: / know
loyal men many among the tmid who
are loyal hesitate in this matter and
the late "rebels' and the Northern allies
Of the President, with all his corrupt fol-
lowers alternately threaten and supplicate
that we shall postpone the consideration
Of this matter. They also threaten in
case we proceed with it there shall be a
rebellion and civil war, and all Of them
join in prophesying financial ruin Of the
country if the Congress Of the nation un.
dertakes to impeach the President as
provided in the Constitution. I hope
Congress will not hesitate to do its duty
because Of an attempt in our ranks and OF
the efforts of the Presidents satraps and
of his "rebel' allies. I hope Congress
will proceed with dignity and deibera-
ton to discharge this high and import
ant duty unnlluenced by passion and
unawed by fear, If the country can stand
the shock caused by the assassination OF
their beloved President, it certainly can
stand the shock caused by the removal OF
one who is detcsted as acting President,
if his removal is in pursuance Of law Be-
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