By: Ethan Anderson, Government Records Archivist
When the word ‘impeachment’ enters political discourse, the name of a mostly unknown junior senator from Kansas is usually not far behind. In May 1868, Senator Edmund G. Ross cast a critical vote to acquit President Andrew Johnson of impeachment. This vote has been lauded by many, including John F. Kennedy, whose Pulitzer Prize-winning book Profiles in Courage declared it “the most heroic act in American history,” one which “may well have preserved for ourselves and posterity Constitutional government in the United States.”[1] But just how principled was Ross’s vote?
Edmund Ross was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Governor Samuel Crawford after the suicide of Senator James Lane in July 1866. A newspaper editor and Civil War officer, Ross’s lack of political experience or prominence made his selection rather surprising.[2] Once in office, he was a consistent Republican vote, but did little to distinguish himself. Throughout the impeachment of President Johnson, including hours before casting his vote, Ross frequently and publicly declared his intention to convict. But when the final roll call was made, Ross voted not guilty. The effort to impeach Johnson failed to obtain the two-thirds majority necessary to convict by a single vote: 35-19.[3]
Kansans, who had made their desire for conviction clear, were furious with Ross’s sudden reversal. The Pottawatomie Gazette declared, “Compared with [Ross], Judas was a saint and Benedict Arnold a patriot.” Former members of the 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, Ross’s Civil War regiment, burned him in effigy outside the Topeka Capitol. Judge Bailey of Lawrence sent Ross a succinct telegram: “The rope with which Judas hung himself is undoubtedly lost. But the pistol with which Jim Lane blew out his brains can possibly be found.” It seemed clear to all that Ross’s change of heart had been motivated not by principle but by money.[4]
Despite the widespread belief that Ross was bribed for his vote, solid evidence of a cash payment does not exist. However, Ross did act swiftly to capitalize on his vote. Within weeks, he was requesting, “in consequence of my action on the Impeachment,” numerous political favors of President Johnson, ranging from a treaty with the Osage Tribe to lucrative political appointments for friends, family, and political benefactors. Johnson agreed to all of them. Nevertheless, these political favors failed to save Ross’s career. He lost his reelection bid in 1871, switched political parties, and was later appointed territorial governor of New Mexico. Rather than a martyr for justice, Ross should be remembered, to quote historian Brenda Wineapple, “As a weak person. As a profile in cowardice. He should be forgotten.”[5]
Sources:
1. John F. Kennedy, Profiles in Courage (New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006), 115.
2. Charles A. Jellison, “The Ross Impeachment Vote: A Need for Reappraisal,” Southwestern Social Science Quarterly 41, no. 2 (September 1960), 151-152. Ross greatly benefitted from the fact that more prominent state officials were uninterested in the interim position. His selection was also likely the result of crooked financial dealings led by Perry Fuller. Brenda Wineapple, The Impeachers: The Trial of Andrew Johnson and the Dream of a Just Nation (New York: Random House, 2019), 351. For more on Ross’s service in the Civil War, including photographs, correspondence, and the muster out roll of the 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, see UIDs 209087, 225859, and 227786.
3. The importance of Ross’s vote is overblown. At least four other senators were prepared to vote against Johnson’s conviction had their votes been needed. David Greenberg, “Andrew Johnson: Saved by a Scoundrel,” Slate, January 21, 1999, https://slate.com/news-and-politics/1999/01/andrew-johnson-saved-by-a-scoundrel.html (accessed May 26, 2020)
4. “Senator Ross,” Pottawatomie Gazette (Louisville), May 27, 1868, 2; “Ross Burned in Effigy at Topeka!!!—The Elevennth Boys Do It,” Weekly Free Press (Atchison), May 30, 1868, 1; Weekly Free Press (Atchison), May 23, 1868, 3; “Senator Ross,” Weekly Free Press (Atchison), May 23, 1868, 2; “Edmund G. Ross, The Traitor,” Oskaloosa Independent, May 23, 1868, 2; “Judas Ross,” Weekly News-Democrat (Emporia), May 29, 1868, 2; “Anthony to Ross,” Atchison Daily Free Press, May 18, 1868, 1.
5. Mark J. Stern, “Mike Pence’s Impeachment Hero is a Corrupt 19th Century Politician,” Slate, January 17, 2020, https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/01/mike-pence-johnson-impeachment-ross-wineapple.html (accessed May 27, 2020).