Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-09-17

~ WhMWCH Hss
impugn its motives in passing the bill, I
should owe, NOT only that House, but to
the country, my most profound Apology
Such departure from propriety is howevef,
not complained Of. in any proceeding
which the House has adopted. It has, on
the contrary, been expressly made sub
ject Of remark, and almost of complaint,
that the language in which my dissent was
couched was studioasly guarded and eau
tious. ~
Such being the character of the official
communication in question, confess
was; sWhQlly unprepared for the course
which has been pvfsued lfps6gpf 10 it,
In the exercise Of thes power p regulate,
its own proceedings, The House, for the
first time, it is believed, in the history of
the Government, thought proper to refer
the Message to Select Committee Of its
own body, for the purpose (as my respect
for the House have compelled me to in
fer) of deliberately weighing the objec-
lions urged against the bill by the Execu-
tive, with view to. Its own judgment upon
the question Of the final adoption or reiec-
btion of the measure.
Of the temper and feelings in relation
to myself of some Of the members select
ed for the performance Of this duty, have
nothing to say. That was matter en-
tirely within the discretion Of the House
Of Representatives. Bot that Committee,
taking different view of its duty from
that which should have supposed had led to
w ion, instead of combining itself 10
Ylhe d lions urged againakth bill, aysil>
ed itseI& 4lSshas Qccaslph formally to ara
raign the motiyesaf the President for 9th
Lers of his acts since his induction in office.
In the absence of all proof, and, as l am,
hound to declare, against all law or prece-
dent in parliamentary proceedings, and at
the same time, in manner,which it would
be difficult to reconcile with the comfy,
hitherto sacredly observed in the inter-
course between Independent and co-ordi-
nate departments Of the Government, il
has assailed.my official conduct, without
shadow of pretext for such assault, and,
stopping hortofimpeachment,h has charged
me,nevertheiess, with offences declared to
geserve impeachment. Had the extrrordi-
nary report which the Committee thus
made to the House been pefnnsgsed 10 ~
main without the sanction De tho latter,
1 shoulanot have uttered 4 regret, iii com
sst q ysQs ~ u IN E5 4ssss1 fsffs
,lslsslgsl aFon tue subject, Bst, ufasa..
|afed as " ID BIZ any particle 81 tesE ma. i
njs ri sippoftsthe charges il con .ains .aI sE,.
out q deliberate Examination, aialoss with
OUT any discussion, the House Of Repre-
sentatiyehas been pleased to adopt It az
its own, and, thereby, to become my ac-
cuser before the country, and before the
world. The high character of a&aleh aaH-ss
accuser, the gravity of the charges which
has been made, and the judgment pro-
nounccd against me, by the adoption Of
the Report upon distinct and separate
vote of the House, lease me no alternative
but to- enter my solemn protest against
the proceeding, as unjust 10 myself as
man, as an Invasion of my constitutional
powers as Chief Magistrate of the Amer
lean People, and as violation, in my
person, of rights secured to every citizen
by the laws and the Constitution. That
Constitution has entrusted 10 the House Of
Representatives the sole power ofimpeach-
ment. Such impeachment is required to
be tried before the most august tribunal.
known to our institutions.
The Senate of the United States COM
posed of the Representatives Of the So
1ereignty Of the States, is converted iu,o
/ hall of justice, and in order to insure
he strictest observance of the rules OF ey-
dence and legal procedure, the Chief
Justice Of the United States, the highest
JUDICIAL functionary Of the land, is reouir-
ID to preside over its deliberations. la
he presence of each Judiciary the voice
{ faction is presumed to be silent, and
he sentence Of guilt or innocence is pro-
ounced under the most solemn sanctions
[ religion, Of honor, and of law. To
UGH tribunal does Constitution author
se the House Of Repsosentatives.to carry
p its accusations against any chief of the
Department whom it may be-
eve to be guilty Of high crimes and mis-
emeanors. Before that tribunal the ao-
lsed is confronted with his accusers, and
ay demand the privilege, which the JUS
CO of the common law secures TO the
Imblest citizen. Of full, patient, and
hpartial inquiry into the facts, upon the
stimony Of witnesses, rigidly examined,
I'd deposing in the facspf day: II such
proceeding had been adopted toward
e, unjust as | should certainly have re-