The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-13
THE UNION.

the case Oh MI Duahe poipetrAeQ during the worst uas
OF blackcockade federalism The federal Senate Of ~
gave him the privilege OF being heard his own defence,
if he pleased to avail himself of the opportunity The
coalition OF Mr. Calhoun with the small fragment he
could carry with him, and the federal wings in hot
haste" and bya summary process would have stamp
ed degradation upon the editor OF the Union at once with
giving him the slightest opportunity OF officially hear
ing and answering the charges. He was condemned as
guilty OF public libel" without giving him the means
OF meeting their charges in the face of his accusersso
improved edition do the modern fedealists and their
allies form upon the prosecutors of the press in sOo
To the Senate Of the United States,
The remonstrance and petition OF the undersigned c
of the republic of America, respectfully showeh
That We the undersigned citizens of the American re-
public, deeply impressed by the proceedings pending
before the Senate on the subject OF privileges in the
of William Duane, anxious to call the attention OF
this honorable house, to what they deem the real and
eviiable tendency Of those proceedings.
We fully persuaded that the surest safeguard of the
rights and liberties OF the people, is the FREEDOM OF
THE PRESS; and, friends as we are to a republican
government, cannot view without strong emotions OF
Bb re ST u fS5 sSea; q
adopted in this free country against that sacred buwak
of republican liberty
Relying on the constitution, we had thought that no
law could be made by Congress, abrdgng the freedom OF
the press But find by the proceedings OF the Senate
that the privileges OF one house may effect what the
stuton has forbidden to the three branches OF our egs
lature united.
We lad thought that the constitution had secured to
the citizens OF the United States, the right of trial BY
jury; but the proceedings OF the Senate have convinced
US that are liable TO be tried and punished for
and unknown offences, without to that constu
tiona tribunal.
progress of the sedition laws but patiently submitted to
evils could not but feel in hopes that the jres of
our country might pallate if not cure them but with
ceedngs of the Senate, ANOTHER SEDITION LAW
rising up to appal us; sedon law, that defes the
couneraction OF the laws of land the juries Of
our country.
We had thought, that the constitution provided against
the dangerous ntermlxture OF judicial, Legislative and
executive authorities but the proceedings of the Senate
have shown us, that the constitution has not yet suf
GENTLY guarded this most important principle, which
the doctrine Of privilege is well calculated TO destroy.
We hod thought that the three branches of our egsla
untedly but not separately competent to the
enacon of those laws which bind the persons and prop
ery of the citizens; but ind that penal ord-
may be enacted and enforced by the Senate alone
and we contemplate speedy and alarming extension OF
our criminal CODE if the present example should un-
happily be pursued BY similar claims OF representative
privilege
We had thought that the rights and authorities OF the
respective branches OF federal government had been
expressly defined by the federal constitution and that the
constitution itself drawn up and sanctioned by the
that rights may be claimed and privileges assumed which
search for in vain among the declarations and pro-
visions of that supreme law OF our land
We had thought the constitution had provided that,
in every criminal case. an accused person should
be confronted with his accusers, have process
for his witnesses and be fully heard by himself
counsel in his defence but the proceedings in ques
ton have convinced that these rights very mper
feety secured, while an ACCUSING SENATE can dc
and arbitrarily confne him to the weakest part Of it.
We lad thought that the plain and acknowledged
cacsHpssE om bes also the JUICES ts the
and the PUNISERS; but the proceedings OF the Senate
have satisfied that these inconsistent Characters may
be mingled and this plain and acknowledged principle
natural justice be completely forgotten or boldly re-
nounced.
We dread the introduction OF rights unlimited and pow
er unbounded. whether under the OF privilege,
prerogative, or implied authorities, constructive pow
ers; and speak with solemn and profound regret that
the late proceedings OF the Senate have strongly excited
Our hearts are full upon this subject. We could accu
mulate OF apprehension from these proceed
ngs far beyond the common bounds OF petition and re-
monstrance, but we forbear II the objections we have
already assigned are unfelt and unnoced, must pa
tenty contemplate the gloomy prospect before us, and
calmly 9e ebo e we no
We reverence the constituted authorities OF our coun-
try much TO dictate to them the line OF their duty or
reflect improperly on tner conduct or 70 occupy unnefes
OUR LIBERTIES ARE ESSENTIALLY INVOLVED,
we WILL practice and maintain lodged right
petition and demonstrate for redress OF grievances and
therefore we do with sincere Difference for the honor
BILE body we now address, but at the time anxious
Iy impressed with the danger Of the present proceed
ngs respectfully call upon the Senate to reconsider the
resolutions BY them adopted upon the subject OF prvi
lege in the case of William Duane.
From the aurora of 1900.
We have these effects in some measure produced
but not completely established Ii remains to be seen
whether the arbitrary and underlined powers of Eng
sh hereditary House of Lords to be adopted by
whose privileges the constitution has expressly defined
and limited and whether our Senate has the power to
assert, in their body, the various functions OF AC
CUSERS, JUDGES, JURORS and EXECUTlONERS,
in cases when they are also PARTIES.
For the Union
ma. xry.-,. . v.r.