The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
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Domestic Intelligence
Harper's Weekly, December 14, 1867, page 787

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THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

The message of President Johnson to the second session of the Fortieth Congress was laid before the Senate and House of Representatives on December 3.

He announces that his well-known convictions on the reconstruction measures of Congress are not only unchanged but strengthened by late events and further reflections. He reiterates his old arguments that the Southern States never having been out of the Union are entitled to all the rights and privileges conferred by the Constitution of the Union, and that the establishment of the present military governments at the South are usurpations on the part of Congress not justified by the Constitution. He recommends the repeal of the acts which established these governments as unconstitutional. He charges that "it is manifestly and avowedly the object of these laws to confer upon the negroes the privilege of voting, and to disfranchise such number of white citizens as will give the former a clear majority at all elections in the Southern States." And declares that "the subjugation of States to negro domination would be worse than the military despotism under which they are now suffering.

He calls this effort to clothe the negroes with a power which may be their protection in the future an effort to establish "negro governments," and asserts that after being established in control of the South, the negroes can not maintain their supremacy, and that without military power they are wholly incapable of holding in subjection the white people of the South. He therefore argues that these "negro governments" will have to be maintained at a cost of $200,000,000 to the General Government.

In alluding to matters of lesser moment, he recommended the repeal of the "Tenure of Office Bill" in order that the Executive may correct, by the removal of certain officers, the system of collecting and disbursing the national revenue, and prevent the now frequent frauds on the Treasury.

Articles Related to Overt Obstruction of Congress:
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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
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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 President’s 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 Grant’s Testimony
December 14, 1867, page 786


The President’s Message
December 14, 1867, page 787


General Grant’s Letter
January 1, 1868, page 2


Secretary Stanton’s 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


Secretary’s Room in the War Department (illus)
February 1, 1868, page 77


The New Reconstruction Bill
February 8, 1868, page 83

 

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