The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1842-09-08


OF whatever charges NIGH; have been formally
preferred against me, but of alI,Ihe oalnmnles
ofwhch have hitherto been the unressting
vclm. Asit is, havNbees accused without
evidence, aOd condemned without hearing.
a As fan as such proceedings can accomplish
il, ! sm Deprived Of pnbic confidence 10 the
administration Of'he Government, and denied
even the toast Of goOdnsme name trans
milted to me from patriot father. priced as
my proudest inhelusnce, ,aad caretuIlypveseTv-
| ed for IhDse who are 10 come after me, as the
most precious of all earthly possessions.
sm not only ssbiec:ed to,imputations affecting
my character as an individual, bul am charged
with offences against, the country, so grave
aud SO henous as 10 deserve public disgrace
and Acknowledgement. am charged with vIo~'
laing pledges wbrchI never gave; and because
| execute what believe to be The law, with
ueurping powers not conferred by laWs and,
above all, with using The powers conferred
apon the President by the Constitution, from
corrupt motives and for unwarranlabe ends.
Andtheee charges are made without any par
ticle Of evidence 10 sustain Them, and, as
soIemny affirm. without any foundation in
truih.
Why is a proceeding of this SOFT adopted st
this tlmel Is the occasion for it found in the
fact, that, having been elected to the second
Office under the Constitution by the free and
voluntary suffsges Of The people, Il have suc-
ceeded 10 the first, according to the express
provisions Of the fundamental law oflbe tame
peoblel II is true that the succession OF the
Vice President to the Chief Magisracy has
never occurred before, and that all prudent
and, patriotic minds have looked on this new
trial Of the wisdom and stability of cutinstitu-
tions with somewhat anxious concern.
have been made to feel too sensible the diff
cuties of my unprecedented position, not 10
know all that s intended TO be conveyed in
the reproach cast upon President without
party. But found myself placed in this most
responsible station, by no usufpaion or con-
irivance ofmy own. was called to il, under
Providence, by the supreme law Of the land,
and the deliberately declared will ofhe people.
lis by these, the people, that have been
clo,bedwth The high powers which they have
seeu fl 10 confde 10 heir chief executive, and
been charged with the solemn responsibility
under which those powers are TO be exercised.
Il is 10 them hold myself answerable, as
moral agent, for free and conscientious dis
charge oflhe duties which they have imposed
upon me. Ii is not as an individual merely,
that am now called upon 10 resist the en-
rcroachment unconstitutional power rep
resent the executive authority of The people
of the United States, and it s in their name
(whose mere agent and servant | am, and
whose will declared in their fundamental law,
] dare not. even were inclined, 10 disobey,)
that protest against every attempt TO break
down The undoubted constitutional power Of
this department, without a solemn amendment
of that fundamental law.
am determined TO uphold The Constitution
10 this, as iE otherrespects, 10 the utmost OF
my ability, and in defiance of all personal con-
sequences What may happen to an individual
is Of little importance; but the Constitution Of
the country, or any Ofils great and clear prin-
ciples and provisions, IL 100 sacred to he sur
rendered, under any circumstances whatever,
by those who are charged with it's protection
and defence. Least Of all should he be held
guiltless, who, placed atlhe head Of one ofthe
great departments Of the Government, should
shrink from the exercise Of its unquestonabIe
authority on The most important occasons; and
pboud consent, without struggle, TO etface all
the barriers go carefully created by the people
10 control and circumscfibe the powers confid-
ed TO their various agents. ltmay be desira-
BILE, as the majority Of the House ofRepresen.
tatives has declared it is, that no such cheeks
upon the will Of the Legislature should be suf-
feted 10 continue. - This is matter for The
people and the States to decide; but, until they
shall have decided il. shaIl feel myself bound
10 execute without fear orfavor, the law, aslt
has been written by our predecessors.
Z 4 protest sgainst this whole proceeding Of
the Houss Representatives, as sTpartr end
S1tra Judicial protect against It as subver-
sss Of the common right Of all citizens 10 be
condemned only upon fair and impartial trial,
, according 10 law and evidence before the coun-
try. protest against il, as destructive OF all
the comfy Of intercourse between The Depart.
Denis Of this Government, and destined, soon
er or later 10 lead 10 conflict fatal to The peace
ofthe county and the integrity ofIhe Consti-
iuiion. protest against il, iuihe name Of that
Constitution. which isnot only my own shield
OfproiectonInand defence, buttbat Of every
American citizen. lprotesfs sgaiuStit in the
nGmS Of the people, by whose will stand
/. where ] do, and BY whose authority ] exercise
edxhe power which am charged with having
usurpsd, and 10 whom lam responsible for q
firm and faithful discharge. according 10 my