IMPEACHMENT POSTPONED
The Impeachment question is disposed of for the present. The gentlemen
most bent upon impeaching the President learn very slowly that the public sentiment of the
country is not to be driven, and however easy it may seem to move a warm party majority,
it is very necessary to consider the great opinion of the constituency behind it. This
seems to us to have been the constant mistake of the impeachers. That the President is a
misfortune every body agrees. That he has done extraordinary acts is beyond questions.
That his policy would have imperiled the country, and that he does not love Congress, may
be taken for granted. But that, with a Congress heartily supported by the people and amply
able to secure its purpose, it is expedient to try the new and uncertain experiment of
impeachment has never been the mature opinion of the people.This, we do not believe, was from any fear of the ordeal, but from
the conviction that it was unnecessary. Had the President seriously and mischievously
withstood the will of Congress after it was once plainly manifested, and had he displayed
an intention to try conclusions, the House would have impeached him, and public opinion
would have supported the action. Fortunately for himself he has not ventured to do it; and
the project of impeachment is therefore felt to be impolitic, while there is not the least
relaxation of the national purpose.
Unless the President shall now do
something which shows his intention to defeat by perilous means the intention of Congress
in the Reconstruction bill, we presume that we shall hear no more of impeachment. But just
so surely as he strives to thwart the operation of a law which, whether he likes it or
not, is the law of the land, will he and the country again hear the cry of impeachment. We
hope for the peace of the country and for his own comfort that he will execute the laws in
their own spirit.
Articles Related to Overt
Obstruction of Congress:
Congress
February 2, 1867, page 67
February 16, 1867, page 99
March 16, 1867, page 163
How Long?
June 29, 1867, page 402
Reconstruction and Obstruction
July 6, 1867, page 418
The Summer Session
July 6, 1867, page 418
The Fortieth Congress
July 17, 1867, page 467
Thanks to the District Commanders
July 27, 1867, page 467
Impeachment Postponed
July 27, 1867, page 467
A Desperate Man
August 13, 1867, page 546
The Secretary of War
August 24, 1867, page 530
Samson Agonistes at Washington (cartoon)
August 24, 1867, page 544
The Stanton Imbroglio (illustrated satire)
August 24, 1867, page 542
Secretary Grant
August 31, 1867, page 546
Southern Reconstruction
August 31, 1867, page 547
The Political Situation
September 7, 1867, page 562
General Thomas
September 7, 1867, page 563
Southern Reconstruction
September 7, 1867, page 563
The General and the President
September 14, 1867, page 578
General Sickles Also
September 14, 1867, page 579
Southern Reconstruction
September 21, 1867, page 595
The Presidents Intentions
September 28, 1867, page 610
Impeachment
October 5, 1867, page 626
The Main Question
October 5, 1867, pages 626-627
Suspension during Impeachment
October 19, 1867, page 658
"Disregarding" The Law
November 2, 1867, page 691
Impeachment
December 14, 1867, page 786
General Grants Testimony
December 14, 1867, page 786
The Presidents Message
December 14, 1867, page 787
General Grants Letter
January 1, 1868, page 2
Secretary Stantons Restoration
January 25, 1868, page 51
Reconstruction Measures
January 25, 1868, page 51
The President, Mr. Stanton and General Grant
February 1, 1868, page 66
Romeo (Seward) to Mercutio (Johnson) (cartoon)
February 1, 1868, page 76
The War Office
February 1, 1868, page 77
Secretarys Room in the War Department (illus)
February 1, 1868, page 77
The New Reconstruction Bill
February 8, 1868, page 83
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