Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-12-09
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP


Senator Chestnut, and is devoted to news.
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP
TIE IMPEACHMENT QUESTION, AGAIS.-The
Stars readers will recollect that, since the in
stitution of proceedings to Impeach Judge
Wstrous, of Texas, for various alleged crimes
and misdemeanors, we have taken repeated
occasions to urge prompt and final investiga-
ton Of the charges assigned in the memorials
which have been addressed to Congress on the
subject. We have done so for obvious reasons
These charges have been preferred under such
imposing and peculiar circumstances, with q
sovereign State actively accusing the Federal
Judge, and praying for the investigation of his
conduct, that We have been prompted to COM
mend their most complete and responsible ex-
animation, BY making them the subject of q
regular trial by Congress. Such an examina-
tion We have thought due from ell the circum-
stances of the case, and especially due On
count Of the accusations not proceeding from
merely popular cutlery, but coming in the mos.
imposing, deliberate and solemn manner,
through the Legislature of the sovereign State
Of Texas.
The editor of this paper was once q citizen
of Texas; and while the chief endeavor Of the
Star has been to consult the wants and desires
of every portion Of the people living under the
Government at Washington, We have never
ceased to entertain for the distant people of
that State particular regard. Twenty years
ago, we were on the outposts Of American civ
ilization. We were conducting q press on the
banks of the Colorado, with not an American
newspaper between Us and the broad Pacific
happened to form the acquaintance of the &C.
tive prosecutor in this very Watrous proceed
Ing Mr.. Simon Mussina, whom we found en-
gagged in enterprises similar to our own-con.
Quoting the frst-established American news
paper on that extreme frontier, and actively
interested in opening this distant country for
the expanse of American freedom and for the
prosperous homes of American citizens.
Since then we have known Mr. Mussina con-
stantly; and in all the intervening time We
have never had occasion to experience the
least diminution of regard for him.
But, Notwithstanding the peculiar force of
friendship contracted in such troublous times,
and maintained for SO long period, we have
carefully and steadily sbstained from q single
word of advocacy, one way or the ether, in the
Watrous case. We have not reproached Judge
Watrous, and We have not discussed even the
probability of those charges which Mr.. Mus
sina, Joined by other memorialists and by the
State Of Texas, has preferred. All that the
Star has contended for has been equally in
negation Of the interest of friend or foe-it
being simply Il at the charges should be brought
to trial, IL being the duty Of Congress to deter
mine such accusations satisfactorily, and, as we
conceive 1t, when its performance is invoked
By sovereign State, as in this instance.
However, We do not suppose that the House
will hesitate, now, to send the case to the Sem
ate for trial. Any attempt to smother or sup
press further investigation will be evidence of
the necessity for such further Investigation.
The testimony taken by the committee of the
last session is printed. We are satisfied to
leave it to the careful judgment of honorable
members; and We would have NO occasion lust
now to refer to the case of Judge W atrous, but
Tor the reason that the name of President
Buchanan has been used in connection with il
most unwarrantably, it seems to US, by some of
the leading journals through their cores
pondents.
An attempt has been made to represent Mr..
Buchanan as entertaining q singular opposi-
ton to impeachment suits and this represent.
alton has been sustained by garbled and unfair
quotations from the doctrine declared by him
N the impeachment case of Judge Peck, Of
which he was the leading manager at the bar
Of the Senate II is untrue, We apprehenG.
that MI Buchanan ever held or enunciated
The doctrine that an impeachment should not
DO voted by the House unless on the elear
proof OF the guilt Of the accused: for this
would be to erect the Senate into a cour, of an
peal, and would give no preliminary ba.i. or
starting point whatever for eliminating pro-
ceeding. What Mr.. Buchanan did maintain,
was that the proceedings in the House was not
er paTfs. So far as it was necessary for the
House to examine 50 much testimony AZ to
create rational 6eiief that the accused is
guilty" We quote his exact words, and We
are satisted that they repel the charge that he
hao ever recommended the House of Repre-
een'au'es 10 go into full investigation of i'm
Peacnment suits, and TO try them on its own
responsibility, which rule would have the effect
OF doubling the difficulties in the vav of m.
impeachment Of corrupt judge. rends,;r.
him practically secure in his misdesS. .. ,o,e
as his iniquity was not Of the most open and
undisguised character.
Indeed, it We go beyond s.ese Unfair ouoia.
'ions OF Mr.. Buchsnan's position in the Peel
case, made to show his disfsvor Of prooeedny.
10 imPeach judicial officers of the Government,
we will ind on the contrary that he contender
A0' me application Of the strictest rules Of
construction in estimating the condue, and
deciding upon the responsibility of an a,.n,.d
judge. he subject is of no little Importance
and as the views which the Pre.;a.n, -.
tains Of the standard and means of n,o,s.,;n,
OF the purity Of the Judiciary are Justly in,.r.
estinE' we quote portions Of his language in
the Peek case. Speaking of the frequent er.
eu'es made for Judicial misconduct he saws.
Is not the act itself the best source from
which to draw the inference. Must we, with
out any evidence, in the spirit of false charity
snd marcy ramble out of the record 70 imagine