The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
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News Article
Harper's Weekly,
March 21, 1868, page 179

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MR. STEVEN’S LAST SPEECH ON IMPEACHMENT
Since our previous issue the most interesting events which have transpired have been the "Last Speech on Impeachment," and the "Last Levee of the President." Both of these occurred on March 2; and are illustrated by our artist on pages 180 and 184. March 2 was set aside for the consideration of impeachment; it had been duly announced the Thaddeus Stevens would close the debate at three o’clock, and that a vote would be taken promptly on its conclusion. Our illustration of the "Last Speech on Impeachment" shows this scene, which was one of the most interesting ever witnessed in the House. Mr. Stevens sat, as he frequently does, near the clerk’s desk and on the left of the Speaker. When he rose from his seat and pronounced, in a clear and emphatic voice, "Never was a great malefactor so gently treated as Andrew Johnson," even the noisy galleries became quiet, and a deathlike stillness reigned throughout the House. It was broken a moment afterward, but for a moment only, by the movement of persons in the rear seats of the gallery rising to lean forward that they might see as well as hear the speaker, and by the general movement on the floor of the House of the members, who, walking on tip-toe, approached the speaker and gazed up in his face while he spoke. Even the pages ceased their noiseless movements about the room, and gathered near the old man, perhaps more to gaze upon than to hear him. The Chairman, too, left his chair and stood before the clerk’s desk to hear and watch the old "leader of the House." This speech, the last on impeachment in the House, will probable also be the last great effort of Mr. Stevens, as he is very weak and aged, and has been warned by his friends of an early end to his earthly career.


THE LAST SPEECH ON IMPEACHMENT – THADDEUS STEVENS
CLOSING THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE, MARCH 2.

March 21, 1868 page 180

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