Nor can I consent to shut out from view the long list of transgressions explaining and coloring the final act of defiance.

To do so is not to render impartial justice, but to depart from this prescribed rule.

In any practical scheme to improve the Government finances and credit, or to restore prosperous activities, or both at once, the first thing to be done must be the restoration of a sound currency.

Above all else, now and forever, is that justice which “holds the scales of right with even hand.” In this sacred name, and in the name also of country, that great charity embracing so many other charities, I make this final protest…

This is a political proceeding, which the people are as competent to decide as the Senate.

They are the multitudinous jury, coming from no small vicinage, but from the whole country: for on this impeachment, involving the Public Safety, the vicinage is the whole country.

It is they who have sent us here, as their representatives, and in their name, to consult for the common weal.

In nothing can we escape their judgment, least of all on a question like that before us.

The people have heard it also, day by day, as it was delivered, and have carefully considered the case on its merits, properly dismissing all apologetic subtilties.

His predecessors are all there in marble; no marble of Taney is there.

The present trial, like that in the Supreme Court, is a battle with Slavery.

Acquittal is another Dred Scott decision, and another chapter in the Barbarism of Slavery.

How can Senators, discharging a political function only, expect that the voice of the people will be more tender for them than for a Chief Justice pronouncing judgment from the bench of the Supreme Court, in the exercise of judicial power?

Nor learning, nor private virtues, nor venerable years could save him from justice.

In the great pillory of history he stands, and there he must stand forever.

The people cannot witness with indifference the abandonment of the great Secretary, who organized their armies against the Rebellion, and then organized victory.

Following him gratefully through the trials of the war, they found new occasion for gratitude when he stood out alone against that wickedness which was lifted to power on the pistol of an assassin.

Nor is it forgotten that the Senate, by two solemn votes of more than two thirds, has twice instructed him to stay at the War Department, the President to the contrary notwithstanding.

The people will not easily understand on what principle of Constitution, law, or morals, the Senate can twice instruct the Secretary to stay, and then, by another vote, deliberately surrender him a prey to Presidential tyranny.

God save me from participation in this disastrous wrong, and may He temper it kindly to our afflicted country!

For myself, I cannot despair of the Republic.

It is a life-boat, which wind and wave cannot sink; but it may suffer much and be beaten by storm.

All this I clearly see before us, if you fail to displace an unfit commander, whose power is a peril and a shame.

Alas for all the evil that must break upon the country, especially in the suffering South, as it goes forth that this bad man is confirmed in the prerogatives he has usurped!

Alas for that peace and reconciliation, the longing of good men, now postponed!