The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1860-04-25

/, wv ~ ~ SUCH q At,ss s'a -" -
appear oc'o'1-s~ Covode, either person |
ally or by substites I'D cross.examine !,
the witnesses which he may s.-ol,,ce he.
for, himself, to sustain his own .s.,.sa.
lions against me, and perhaps even thts1'
poor boon may be denied to the President,
What is the nature Of the investigation
which his resolutions proposes to inyesti:-I
gate? It's as vague and general as the
English language affords. words With
which to make it. The Committee is to
inqnire, not into any specific charges, but
whether the President has By money, pa
tronage or other improper means, sought
10 influence, not the action Of any indisld.l
ual member or members Of Congress-,
but the action Of the entire body Of Con.
gress itself. orsany Committee thereof 4
The President might have had some
glimmering ofsthe nature Of the ofense to
be investigated. had his accnser pointed
to the actor Of acts Of Congress which he
sought to pass o. defeat by the employ
ment Of money patronage OF other i'm
proper means; bnt the accusation is bound
Cd by no snclsiimita. Il extends to the
whole circle 81 Legislation, 70 interference
for OF against tie passage Of any law up,
pertaining to the rights of any State or
Territory; and wdai law does not apper-
tain to tho rightssof some State Or Terri,
tory and what law o. laws has the Pres
ident failed to execute! These might
easily have been pointed opl had any sue !!
existed. &
Had Mr.. Lawless asked an inquiry to
be made by the Honse, whether Judge
! Peck in general terms had not violated
his judicial duty without specifying any
particular, I do not believe there would
have been . single vote in that body "a
favor Of the inquiry. Since the time nt
the State Chamber and Of general war
rants there has been no such proceedings
IN England. The House of Represents
4 tives. the high im.eaching power Of the
country, Wit ont c5nsenting. to hear .
4 word If explanation, have indorsed this
accusation against the President, and
/. made it their own act. They even re
j fused topermil member 70 inquire ofths
{ President accuser what we're the specific
I charges against him. Tins in this pre-
E iiminsry accusation Of high crines an,
'misdslneanors against q ctrord'nat
8 branch Of the Government under the in
!. Fpeaci,ing power, The House refused I
hear single suggeation even in regar
i, - 10 the correct mode Of proceeding bu
without moments delay passed ACCUSE
! tory resolutions under the pressure Of tn
, previous question.
II III the institution Of q prosecution Fl
o any offense against the most humble cit
t zen. (and claim for myself no create
!. rights than he enjoys,) the Gonstitntio
b of the United States, and Of the sewers
8 States require that he shall be informed j
i the very beginning Of the nature an
y, cause Of the accusation against him,
!. prepare for his defense. There are othe
d principles which | might ellumprate, nj
il less sacred, presenting al impenetrab
shield tolprotect every citizen falsel
C. charged with q criminal offense. Thes
d have been violated ID the prosecution i
d stitnted BY the House Of Representative
against The Executive branch Of the Go
. eminent. Shall the President alone
y deprived IF the protection Of these gre
a principles which prevail III every lal
i. where i ray Of liberty peaetrates desp
il tisiny Shall the Executive alone be d
III priyed ofthe rights which oil bic 3ello'
of citlsens emily!
o. The whole proceeding Against bin j.
IN ti6es tho fears u tiIuse wise and gre
men who, before the Constitution Y
IS adopted BY the States, apprehended IL
Il, the tendency Of the Government was
be the aggrandisement Of tho Legislative
~. the expense Of the Executive and Judic
in departments.
N. | again declare emphatically tha'
make this protest for no reason persoi
is 70 myself, aud I DO i With perfect resp
he for the House Of Representatives,
al which had the honor Of serving for {
nut successive lerlns.
lie II have lived long IN this goodiy i
and have enjoyed I'll the Offices Of boz
ON which my country could bestOw amid
,si. the political storms through which ! b.