Chapter LXXXVI: Impeachment

Foreshadowings of Impeachment.—Action on the subject in the
XXXIXth Congress.—Mr. Ashley’s Motion.—Its defeat.—The
resolutions of Messrs. Loan and Kelso.—Mr. Ashley’s
resolution.—Report of the Impeachment Committee.—Postponement
to XLth Congress.—The Committee renewed.—Their
report.—Impeachment killed for the time.—Conduct of the
President.—Reinstatement of Secretary Stanton.—The
President’s quarrel with General Grant.—The reason why.—His
attempts to prevent any communication with Secretary
Stanton.—His attempt to remove Stanton and appoint General
Thomas Secretary _ad interim_.—Stanton refuses obedience and
appeals to congress.—The excitement.—Impeachment resolutions
moved immediately.—Report of committee on reconstruction.—The
vote on Impeachment—The announcement to the Senate.—Its
reception.—Preparation of the Articles of Impeachment.—The
managers elected.—The articles.—The Senate organized as a
High Court of Impeachment.—The progress of the trial.—The
speeches.—The Secret Session of the Court.—The delay of the
vote.—The first vote on the eleventh article.—Defeat of
Impeachment by a single vote.—The vote.—Probable effect on
the President.—The vote on the second and third articles.—Mr.
Stanton’s resignation.—The National Convention at
Chicago.—Nomination of Grant and Colfax.—The ballots for Vice
President.—The Platform.—Certainty of success.—The glorious
future. 669

THE SOUTH.