The charges against Johnson prove weak, despite…

The charges against Johnson prove weak, despite the passion with which they are argued, and the key votes (May 16 and 26) fall one short of the necessary two-thirds for conviction, seven Republicans voting with Johnson's supporters.

President Johnson is acquitted on May 26, the vote being thirty five for conviction and nineteen (seven Republicans and twelve Democrats) against.

Stanton has no alternative but to surrender his office on May 26, 1868, and return to private law practice.

However, despite the president's exoneration, his usefulness as a national leader is over.