Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-08
A RUSTIC BALLAD
VIRGINIA HEG9SH4ATURE.
DEFERRED DEBa7E,-[CosrlSUrp.I
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.-Fri dav. Jam %
EypIINciNc 10 rsGI I..r,a ss.a ~. 1aM. =

HOUSE OF DELEGATES .-Fridav. Jan %
EXPUNGING RESOLUTIONS
MIR. WATKINS said he believed the report stood now
us 1t was reported from the Committee to the House:
and IT was usual that he whom devoved the duty of
submitting it, should at least give of the mos, pro-
mnent reasons which induced its adoption Under This
Impression, he would proceed notice the preamble
and resolutions, now before the House for its consdera
ton, very briehy-or, he was not aware that discns
sion desired amore particularly ON toss oncs
tons which might be made auxiliary TO this euesons
which could not but tend to name the party preiudi
ces OF this House He would therefore notwitIsianJ
lag he rode frees and best the agated elements
scribe TO himself narrow limits, and be confined In
mat only which absolutely necessary TO sustain tho
ProPety OF the adoption of the preamble and resou-
tons now under considerations the Lest means of re-
pairing the breach in the Constitutions and as the only
sure means OF vndicatng and doing ample Justice TO an
injured and prosecuted patriot who has risked all that
was dear TO him, of personal reputation personal ease
and personal promotion, for the noblest object t,e
promotion OF his countrys welfare, and the advance.
Inent of his country S glory.
am well aware, said Mr.. W, that this novel pro.
ceeding on the part Of the Virginia Legislature and
with some, difficult of investigation and
As to HIMSELF however, he had doubt no difficulties:
was not part OF his nature 10 doubt startle at
dincuics; but Il he had doubts he could not doubt the
VIII OF hs constituents, and that always when known
prescribed TO him his rule of action. But said Mr. w
II the question be novel, the proceedings il is in
tended TO reach and to control When before did So
nate OF the u States take upon itself TO debate and
aresonlion on an Impeachabc matter against the
PRESIDENT o. the United States; prejudgnq thereby
. question winch might come before their body for
adjudication, and consequently disquaifying ihem.
selves as IaIr ana impartial trlprs OF the President
~ Is indeed, s1id he, novel and extraordinary aberra
Lon, and requires novel aud extraordinary remedy
Inc Preamble, Chat is that position which was debate
one one who would deny The right n.e.. no no.
Tyns.,-- a.. a~~eral Assembly of Virginia 70.
su thls act OF inc Senate as an assumption of power
warranted by the Constitutions and calculated sub
vert the rights ot-the ii. of Representatives. and the
fundamental principles of free institutions
- mere were then three aegatons.--Now he lhoupht
De Two hrSt be proved the last would follow as coro
tot
gaon OF these points he would lay down this broad pro
position as founded IN truth That the power of every
subsequent Senate, (by which, mean the new sessions
OF the SenaeO over the journal of n preceding Senate.
rs limited only by the public good, and any action which
mat snail require BIZ taken without an infracton of
me Gonslituion-iie hoped he understood; for
while he should leave much for others to say who ould
come alter him. yet he desired his 70 be distinct
" Understood Is the passage Of the resolution of
March 18th, 1884 condemnng the President an assumn
ton OF power stated in the Preamble now under con
slderation?A simple reference TO the duty of Senator
oil the u 3, under the Constitution will sustain me
IN saying The Constitution requires the senate
10 Keep journal of its proceedings, &c Now what
are the proceedngshere meant? any every proceed
ng'l'o mater now wanton and irregular? Surely not
but such proceedings could be- had in pursuance of
the Constitution and not such ne arc in cPpntraa';
of it. s'''"
Admit, Mr.. Speaker if you p ase that the Executiva
proceedings IN relation To the public revenue were liza.
BILE TO the impuIaons on them by The resolution G
March 2Sth 1884, still it is clear 10 INV mind ,hnt The
senate mad not the authority under Constitution and
laws, TO introduce, debate, and adopt mere naked re-
nl
an impeachment trial-and in doing So that bodv IT,
sell " assumed power and authority not conferred hy
the Constitution and Lava, but in deroeation of both =
The powers of every department of the Government,
OF the United States, clearly defined by The ConsGt
ton OF the u States, but so than the powers
OF the Senate AS branch of the Execntve il acts on
treaties and nominations office In concurrence viii
the House OF Representatives. has legislative novers
D1t none Whatever without that concurrencc-and the
81 section OF the LIST article Of the Constitution has con
terred on judicial powers in these wordstbe senate
shall have the sole power TO try all impeachmens and
when sitting for that purpose they shall be under oath
or animation When the President OF the u States is
so tried the Chief Justice shall preside and no person
snail be convicted without the concurrence of tobirds
OF the members present"
BY another clause the sole power Of i,nneocb,o,, :;
conferred the House Of Representatives Aud a. fI
Government Of the United States is one of li,ned and
restricted powers in their exercise il must adhere gid
TO the "Bond ith these premises he would demn1d ~
know, under which Of these powers the Senate had Inc
authority to act in passing the resolution Of March
18th, 1884, condemDBg the President IL surev eond
not be IN It's Executive advisory character for no
suaton or Amusement was had with ihe President nor
was any asked u viii not be pretended it was actnp
IN ITS legislative character for the resolution was one
simply condemning the President for an uuaub,rised
assumption Of powers not delegated be- the Cons,i,,
and laws"-lts form not that usually adonfed ,oJ
with concurrence Of the House of Represeot,fives
legislation Is contemplated. 1t recommended no iccs
lative act to remedy The evils planed Of or no. re-
par the breach made in the violated Constitution and
Iaws-its sole object its history nd the mad
IN support Of II VIII SHOW was to condemn the President
tOf cIsmssDg one Secretary for npglectiug or refsu
u do his duty and appointing another who would Cl
fully discharge those duties Have we not then eaJ NJ,
W., judgment Of condemnation Of the PresGents bra
ceedings of which, well founded, the House of Reno
sentatyes ought TO have npeached him before that So
nate which had thus disqualified itself as partial ,c,
Tor, by The resolution Of March 23Ui 1874 the Pree;
dent has been sentenced by the Senate 10 perpetual o
tracism from the confidence Of bis fellow rHzeos n
that resolution could be believed. Now. said Mr
watkins Is u just that those who had thus djspos.
ed OF bis fame, should be his Judges in triaI Gr
the lDhicon Of other penalties, required by the Con
sututonf Is there not the strongest reason to be-
a.. In he fret "a 4
error 10 NE second and that pfeconce9cd opinions en-
eenaeTed BY one decision, would override the ne " ghi
that might be brought 10 vary the complexion If s|
Their decision Human nature must have CHANGED most
strangely, u such effect wond not have been ia
eyitable. Here then, was a trial aud eogden,J,fien
OF the President by the Senate without beiog nnsi,
oath or without the presence Of the Chief
Justice-witbOut concurrence Of fwo.fhird, ~ 49,
members present-and without Impeachment bv he
rouse OF kepresent1tivcsa course not only eiotorg
OF me Constitution, butcalcullod to subyert-nag moe
totally TO Proslrae the rights of the House of Resrc
seetatVes BY depIiyiEg them Of that fair and inna,
iiai tribunal, provided BY the Constitution IL tbev had
bovght proper 10 prefer impeachment sgsjnst ,5c