Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-04-28

| ed our 10 me anu my impression was,
that it might be accounted for by the
hurry of business when the last vote
was given, and the little importance Of
the subject Of that vote, compared with
the vast Importance of the subject oil
the first; 50 that the principle inyol.
we'd escaped attention when the last
resolution was adopted. The only
question at all material is, whether the
opinion the gentleman now adyan-
ces concerning Mr.. Barry's case is
right or wrongi | have no wish to
convict the gentleman ofinconsistency,
nor was that my purpose in adverting
to this topic. My purpose lies much
deeper. pray the Senate to observe
that it is now admitted, nay contended,
that the same principle which should
interdict the Senate, in its legislative
capacity, from examining and deter
mining on the constitutionalty OF the
acts of every improbable executive
officer; and then all the consequences
tGilow; the constitutional acts Of all
executive officers can only be examin-
ed by the House Of Representatives, in
its judicial character, as the grand in
quest Of the nation; can only be ex-
amined by the Senate, in its judicial
character, as court of impeachment !;
can never be corrected by legislative
action, until the impeachmentis deter
mined cannot be corrected even then
If the Senate, convinced of the inno-
cence Of the accused of all criminal
motive and intent, should be itself
bound in conscience to acquit him of
guilt; and meantime the unconstitu-
tional measure will have been in full
operation. And thus this process Of
expunction will have the effect of es.
tablishlng principle vitality affecting
the competency of the two Houses Of
Congress in their legislative character
and principle that will protect not
only the unconstitutional acts of the
President, but those of all his subordi-
nate executive officers, from legislative
inquiry, examination, counteraction,
and corrcction
shall not now enter upon a discus
sion of the question, whether it was
true, in point Of fact and in point Of
law, as the resolution of March, 1894,
declared, that the Presidents proceed
ings therein referred to were illegal and
unconstitutional because, supposing
that declaration not just and true, yet
if the Senate had competency to act
upon the subject, its action did not be-
gin in scrong, and the remedy is to cor
rect our error by resembling, Mt by
erPunging, the resolution. Surely, the
present majority of the Senate are not
going the length of expunging every
proceeding of the then majority, which
it shall consider erroneous in principle
and in fact. The question of the COM
potency ofthe Senate to pass the reso-
luton of March, 1884, lies at the bot
tom of the argument of the gentleman
from Missouri, in support of his motion
to erpunge, in preference to resembling.
That question | have now discussed.
| wish to confne myselfto what affects
the question of erpnnging only. lf-a
motion shall be made to rescind, though
| shall have no new argument of my
own, may find it my duty to recapit.
ulate the conclusive arguments of 9TH
ers to show that the resolution of March
1884, is just and true in all respects,
and the principle it asserts is essential
to the maintenance of our free institu-
tons.
The gentleman from Missouri said
that "erpunge is severe remedy, but
it is just one. 1t reflects reproach,
but the fault is not ours, but of those
who compel us to it. Let US go on,
then, and neither compromise for diff
culties, nor despair for failures. five
fail now, let US try again. five con-
tinue to fail, and have to retire before
the good work is accomplished, let us
giveit to the aged sire, that he may
hand it down to his heir-to the matror
that she may deliver 1t TO her manly
son-to the young mother, that she
may teach her infant babe to suck in
the avenging word ExPUNGE, with the
life sustaining milk which it draws from
her BOSOM" AS to that young mo-
ther who shall be willing to mix the
bitterness of that avenging word ex-
punge," or any other vengeance, with
the milk which, with the sweetness of
maternal love, she should minister to
her babe, it is to be hoped she will
have no more offspring; and if the I'M
happy babe shall suck the spirit ofven-
geonce with its mothers milk, what
deeds he may perform in his mature
manhood, it is revolving to reflect
But none ofthe young mothers are go.
ing to take this advice-that am sure