Tuesday, May 8, 2007

A Profile in Courage

In Social Studies class back in junior high school, I remember watching a black and white film that dramatized the John F. Kennedy book, Profiles in Courage. One of those profiles was of Edmund G. Ross, a Senator from Kansas. Ross was elected to fill the seat of James H. Lane, serving from 1866 to 1871, when he was defeated for reelection. Ross died on this date (May 7) 100 years ago.

One of the likely reasons he was defeated for reelection was his involvement in the impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson. Ross's papers are held at the University of New Mexico, which is where Ross died in 1907. In 1882, he was appointed by President Grover Cleveland as Governor of the New Mexico Territory. During the impeachment trial, Ross, a Republican, sided with those for acquittal of President Johnson. Johnson was acquitted by one vote.

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