Reconstruction. Unsatisfied with the moderate Reconstruction program enacted by the 39th .
Congress, radicals continued to press for more thorough measures, impeachment was one of .
them." (Benedict 63) Having a congress with different view points it only seems fair to give and .
take a little from each other. But Johnson wanted it all done his way and wasn't seeming to take .
no for an answer, which was obvious from all the vetoes of acts he refused.
What I liked about the book was it was an interesting part of history to read about. We .
can somewhat relate this trial to the Clinton impeachment, except with different charges. Though .
what I really like was how they all had different viewpoints and opinions about the case. The .
Republicans favored impeachment while the Democrats favored Johnson. "Extra legal .
considerations did not play a large part in the impeachment proceedings. But these considerations .
weighed not only upon the republicans who voted for conviction. It goes almost without saying .
that the democrats and the few "Johnsonized" Republicans who had been cooperating with them .
would under no circumstances have voted to remove the president and turn the office over to the .
Republicans."(Benedict 126") Though what I did not like about the book was it expected you to .
be pretty familiar with the Constitution. On most cases it gives you a brief description of the .
article it was referring to, I just feel you had to know more about it to understand the full meaning .
of the argument. "This also indicated that impeachment was proper only in the case of indictable .
offenses. Article III, Section 2 empowered the president to pardon men for all offenses against .
the United States except in cases of impeachment." (Benedict 31).
Benedict uses his writing style to keep his readers tied into the story. He intensifies his .
writings and keeps you interested:.
"Congress may, when it pleases take the president by the ear and lead him down .