Impeachment Legend Lives On

The impeachment hero, long dead, lives on in an Albuquerque house.

There, three great-grandchildren of Sen. Edmund Ross - maybe the most important senator you've never heard of - tend to his legend.

CBS News Correspondent Jim Axelrod reports that Ross is the man whose vote decided the nation's first impeachment trial 131 years ago.

Ross was a Republican from Kansas, a state rabidly opposed to Democratic President Andrew Johnson. The Republicans were one vote shy of removing Johnson, and down to their last chance when Ross stood up to vote.

Ignoring his party and his state, Edmund Ross looked into his political grave and said it twice: "not guilty."

"He was a very moral, honest person and he voted his conscience," said one of his grandchildren.

One state judge called on him to do the honorable thing and commit suicide. Finished in Kansas, he moved to New Mexico.

What one historian called the most heroic act in history has done little to raise Ross' profile. Even Hollywood stole his big moment, using a fictional name for this statesman who put principles before politics.

Former President John F. Kennedy finally gave Ross his due, choosing him as one of his Profiles In Courage. But that chapter, and an elementary school in Albuquerque, are all that recognize his heroism.

If Ross never found fame, he did wrestle back respect, becoming territorial governor in New Mexico. Ross went to his grave with a full beard and a clear conscience, his name obscure but his integrity intact.