The Impeachers: The Trial of Andrew Johnson and the Dream of a Just Nation

by Brenda Wineapple

James Mitchell Ashley, his face pale, his hands trembling, rose from his seat in the House of Representatives and declared, “I do impeach Andrew Johnson, Vice President and sitting President of the United States, of high crimes and misdemeanors.” The spectators clapped and stamped, and when the din subsided, Ashley continued: “I charge him with a usurpation of power and violation of law. In that he has corruptly used the appointing power; In that he has corruptly used the pardoning power; In that he has corruptly used the veto power; In that he has corruptly disposed of public lands of the United States: In that he has corruptly interfered in elections, and committed acts that, in contemplation of the Constitution, are high crimes and misdemeanors: Therefore, Be it resolved, that the Committee on the Judiciary be, and they are hereby authorized to inquire into the official conduct of Andrew Johnson.”