assadors or other public ministers may be rejected by other nations
for the reasons given above.

It will readily be seen that this power or duty may impose upon the
president at times, grave responsibility. The nature of this
responsibility may be understood when we remember the efforts made by the
confederate states to secure recognition of their agents at the courts of
London and Paris, during the civil war. For either country to have
recognized them would have been to interrupt our friendly relations with
that country, and might have led to war between it and us. (See page 347.)

[5] This is the president's most important duty; and it is his duty to
enforce the law whether he believes in its wisdom or not. He acts through
the executive officers previously referred to.

[6] The commission bears the signature of the president and the great seal
of the United States, the latter affixed by the secretary of state.

SECTION IV.--RESPONSIBILITY OF OFFICERS.

_The president, vice-president, and all civil officers of the United
States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction
of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors._

The word "civil" in the provision is used here in distinction from
_military_ and _naval_. It is generally understood that members of
congress are not "civil officers" within the meaning of this provision.
Military and naval officers are tried by courts-martial, and members of
congress are subject to trial by the house to which they belong.

The definition of "high crimes and misdemeanors" rests with the senate.
Treason is defined in the constitution, and bribery has a meaning
understood by all.

There have been seven cases of impeachment before the United States
Senate. (See pages 131, 138 and 333.)

_Pertinent Questions._

When, near the close of the late war, General Grant commanded all the
armies of the Union, had he any superior officer? (That is, was there any
officer higher in rank than he?) Who is commander-in-chief of the United
States army today? Who is the highest purely military officer, and what is
his rank?

Name the members of the present cabinet. If you wanted to trade with the
Indians, to whom would you make application for permission?

Can the president pardon before trial? What cases can he not pardon? Name
some one pardoned by the president. Could he pardon prisoners confined for
breach of state law? Where does the general governmen