Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-08
I Rl:STlC BALLAD.
VIRGINIA EIEdagsAATUEsE.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES Friday, Jan. -.
u. Il SOI .I,cIONS.
DEFERRED DEBsaagE.-[CoSTisuED.l


HOUSE OF DELEGATES Friday, Jan. p.
EyPCNGiNG RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. WArKISs said, he believed the report $1,000 10y"
as was reported from the Committee 10 Inc f1ousei
and it usual that he, on whom oeVo!eo Tue uut! VI
submitting it. should least give some OF The mos! pro-
minent reasons which induced its adoption Under this
imoression ne would proceed TO notice the preamble
and 1esou,ions before the House FOR It's consdera.
ton very brieyfor. he was not aware that Discus
sion was desired 1tal-more particularly on those Ques
lions which might he made auxiliary to this questions
which could but tond 70 inaame the party preJud
ces of this House. He would. ihcIriore, notwihsand
ing he rode feesl and b the a,l,aed elements pre-
scribe to himself marrow limits and be confined to
that ony which was absolutely necessary TO sustain the
propriety Of the adoption of the preamble aud resou-
lions under considerations as the Lest means OF re-
pairing the breach inthe Constitution and as the only
sn.e means Of vnoicatng and doing ample justice to an
injured and prosecuted patriot who has rsked all that
was dear 10 hitE of personal reputation personal ease
and personal prpmotion for the nob!cst object. the
promotion oc his countrys welfare, and the ADVANCE
,ment Of his country $ glory.
anl well aware said Mr.. W.. that this is novel pro.
ceeding on the part of the Virginia Legislature, and
with some, difficult of investigation and determinations
AS himself however, he hld>nu doubt, no difficulties
it part Of his nature to doubt. 10 s2rte at
difficulties; but it, he had doubts. ne could not doubt the
will Of his constituents, and that always, when known,
prescribed to hin. his rule of action But said Mr. W..
it the question be move the proceedings it Is in
tended TO reach and to control. When before did Sc
adopt resolution, improbable matter against The
President: the United S;ales Prejudging thereby
question which might come before their body for
adjudication, aud consequently dsqualfying them
selves az fair and impartial rers Of the President -
II is indeed s,Id he, novel and extraordinary aberr1
ton, and requires novel and extraordinary remedy
The Preamble THAT is kat position which was debate
able fox he hopc 1t this day there was none, no, not
one, who woulL deny Inc right Of Instruction. set forth
that
"Whe.eas tie General Assembly of Virginia
gard this act OF the Senate assumption OF power
warranted by the constitution, and calculated to sub
vert the rights of tic r. Of Representatives and the
fundamental principles Of or free Institutions.
There then th:ee ale gations.-Now he thought,
If the two first BE- proved the last would follow as coro!
larry Before however proceeding to the mtnuer nvestl.
CATION of these points liz would lay down this broad pro-
position as founded in truth That the power Of
aubseouen. Senate, [hy which, mean the new sessions
Of the Senac lie jouTna! OF preceding Senate,
is limited onl by the public good and any action which
that shall require. taken without lnlraction Of
the Co,stituIiul.-He hoped he understood; for.
while he should leave much for others 10 say who would
after him. yet he desired his remarks TO be distinct
ly understood Is the passage OF the resolution OF
March 2Sh, 1884 conGrKnMg the President, an assump-
ton OF power stated IN the PREAMBLE now under con-
sdcraton:-A simple reference 10 the duty OF Senator
of the L. s. under the Constitution, will sustain me
in saying it Tie Constitution requires the Senate
10 keep Journal "t, It's proceedings, DC Now, what
are the proceedings here meant and every proceed
ing, matter how wanton and irregular: Surely not
but such proceedings could be had in pursuance OF
the Constitu;Hn and not such Us are IN contarenuon
of it.
Admit, M. Speaker. YOU phase that the Executive
proceedings in relation 10 tie public revenue, were La
bic 10 the imputulunS them by the resolution OF
March 2S 1884, still it clear to my mind, that the
Senate had the authority, under The Constitution and
Laws to introduce. debate, and ADOPT mere naked re-
solution condeinnng the President without the forms Of
impeachment tr:al-aud in doing So that body it.
self " assumed power and authority not conferred by
the Constitution and Laws, but in derogatiou Of both.
The powers OF every department of the Government
of the United States, clearly defined by the Cons
tion Of the u States, but than the powers
of the Senate. As branch OF the Executive, it
treaties and nominations to office. In concurrence with
the House of Representatives, It has legislative powers
but none whatever without that the
Sd section OF TIE lst article of the Constitution has
ferred Judicial powers, in these words-lhe Senate
shall have the sole power TO try all impeachnens, and
when sitting for that purpose, they shall he under oath
or affirmation. When the President OF the U. States is
30 tried the Chief Justice shall preside, and person
shall be convicted without the of twothrds
of the members present.
By another clause, TIE sole power Of Impeachment is
ennferred the House Ct Representatives. And the
Government q: the United States is Of limited and
restricted powers in their EXERCISE must adhere .gdly
to the ':Bnnd" h these premises he would demand
know, under which OF these powers The Senate had the
authority TO act in passing the resolution Of March
2Sh 1884, condemning the President; surely could
not be in its Executive advisory character: for
suation or advsemeut was had with the President nor
was any asked II will not I've pretended it acting
in its Legislative charactrr for .e resolution
simply conGrG.nnG the President :! 10: unauthorized
assumption OF powers, rot delegated by the Constitution
and laws its form! not that usually adopted when
with concurrence OF the House of Representatives.
legislation contemplated 1t recommended no lcgis
lave act TO rc;Eedy the evils complained Of pr to
pair the breach made IN the violated Constitution and
laws-its sole object lis history aud the speeches made
in support il will show. condemn the President
for dsmissng Secretary for nes!eciin or refusing
10 do his duty, und appointing another who would faith,
fully discharge those duties Have not then, said Mir
W. a Judgment OF coRde nnaton of the Presidents pro-
ceednys s which, If well founded, the House of Repre-
seuta,Ires ought have impeacted INN before that Sc
nate which had thus disqualified itself as impartial leES
For by the resolution Of March 18th, 1884, the Pres
dent has been sentenced by the Senate 10 perpetual
tracsm from tie confidence Of his fellow Citizens if
that resolution could BE- believed. Now, said MIR.
Watkins, is it Just tina, those who had thus diSpoS-
ed Of his fame, should he his judges in trial Tor
the inficon Of other penalties, required by the Con
sttuhon: Is there the strongest reasan to be-
lieve, that the FIRST would beset
error in the secoud and aL precoaceiyed opinions
gendered by oae dcc!sios would ose.re the lights
that might be brought TO vary the complexion OF
ther decision? Human natufS mast have changed most
strangely, if such effect wsad no; have been in
evitable. Here then, trial and condemnation
of the President by the Sensk. without beiay under
oath or aifrmation-withou the presence of The Chief
Justice-without concurrence OF two.thifGs Of the
members present-a,d without Impeachment by the
House Of Representatives, no ONLY sioltoey
of the Constitution subpe<t-nay. mose,
totally 10 PROSTATE the rights Of the House of Repre-
sentatves, by deprivng them Of that iail and Impair
tia tribunal provided by the Constitution, if they had
.hosght proper to prefer an Impeachment against the