Year: 1868

We find the protest of Senator Ross against


the secret investigation but public criticism


of the board of prosecutors appointed by the
House" reported in full in the Washington


Chronicle. After demanding thorough in


vestigation on the part of the Senate and de-
nying, without contradiction from Mr.. Pome-
roy, the statement that his written promise to
vote for conviction ON the eleventh article was
in Mr.. Pomeroys possession, or that any ver-
bal promise had been made, Mr.. Ross con-
cludes with the following appeal for suspen-
sion OF Judgment on the charge of bribery


which has been so freely brought against him:


AT the beginning of the trial of this cause, 1
was sworn by the Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court of the United States as a mem-
Der OF the Court of Impeachment, to do "im-
partial justice to Andrew johnson, President
OF the United States, according to the Consti-
tuition and laws" had been, and still am. an
earnest opponent of the reconstruction policy
of his Administration. / thought, as / still
think, tha1 policy, in many most important
particulars, unwise and injurious to the best
interests OF the country. 1 longed, and still
long, for such changes in the Administration


OF the government as would conform it to the


views OF the dominant party of the country,


anu 10 the reconstruction policy OF Congress,


but could not, with the light then before me,


declare the President guilty of high crimes
and mlsdemeanors on mere differences as to
governmental policy. | sought to divest my


mind OF all party prejudice, hear the accusa-


tions and the evidence, and endeavored to cast
my vote in the cause with the candor and


courage of an honest Judge.


4 have been no summers soldier; no sun
shine patriot. was baptized in politics in the


old Abolition party of "A. when but 1000 men
IN the United States dared to say they were


the friends of the slave, and bore my share of


the whips and scorns which fell to the lot OF
It's members before anti-slaveryism became q


popular and lucrative profession. 1 led col


ony to Kansas in 1856, and there struggled


with success to check the spread of slavery;
aud again, when rebellion threatened the ma


tion's life, L entered the ranks OF the Union
army as private soldier, and carried the flag


until slavery was destroyed, and the authority
of the National Government re-established. /


have never labored or fought for plunder. My


hands have no dishOnorable stain upon them.


No man can point to a single instance where


have wavered in the maintenance of my con-


victiols, whether in the battles front or the


polemics of the forum. Always poor in this
worlds goods, have contentedly worked aid
fought for the establishment of principles
which believed to be benifcent to my fellow
man and to my country. And, without ego
tism, may challenge any honorable Senator
here to produce record of service, in civil OF
military service, freer to this moment from all
stain of selfishness or blot of dishonor than


that which now proudly look back upon and
call my own.


Mr.. President, 1 feel that this charge is
heralded over the land, and evidence ostenta-
tlously sought to sustain it, to make me a
scapegoat for the egregous blunders, weak
nesses, and hates which have characterized
this whole impeachment moyement-itself
stupendous blunder from its inception to the
| present time.


have been singled out as the object of as
/ sault, doubtless because l am a new member
| mere, unskilled in debate, unknown to nation
| al politics, and comparatively without the
means OF selt-defence possessed by abler and
more experienced members. / am conscious of
these disadvantages, as well as of the strength
and malignity of my accusers. They have to-
| day at their back large majority of the great
| patriotic party to which they ana / belong,
with nearly all its machinery of vengeance,
| while have but feeble voice here, backed,
i however, by that never falling source of


strength, my consciousness of rectitude, and
| patriotic, honest purpose. Let them do their
worst. There is just people behind us all
| who constitute the court of last resort, in
| which all our acts are tried and Judged.
| Dearly as value my hard-earned reputation,


the chief property of myself, my wife and my


children; profoundly as l appreciate my weak


ness, and the strength of my accusers, | am
upheld by consciousness of rectitude which
no power can shake, and / bid defiance to


them and their calumnies.