Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-04-13

II 4 u
ln the world and the Individual, however
unworthy, now holding this exalted position,
will take care, so far as in him lies, that their
| rights and prerogatives shall never be violated
| in bis person, bat shall pass to his successors
unimpaired by the adoption of dangerous
lIreeedent. He will defend them to the last
Iextremity against any unconstitutional attempt,
come from what quarter it may, to abridge the
constitutional rights of the executive, and
render him srbservient to any human power
except themselves. The people have not con-
fned the President to the exercise of executive
duties. They have also conferred upon him,
I'm large measure, legislative discretion No
bill can become law without his approval as
Representing the people of the United States,
unless it shall pass after his veto by majority
Elof two-thirds of both Houses. ln this legis-
iatiye capacity be might, IN common with the
Senate and House of Representatives, institute
IAN inquiry to ascertain any facts which ought
70 influence bis judgment in approving or
vetoing any bill. This participation in the
performance of legislative duties between CO.
ordinate branches Of the government, ought to
inspire the conduct of all of them, iD their re-
Eiations towards each other, with mutual for
beafariUe and respect. st least, each has
right to demand justice from the other. The
cause Of complaint is that the constitutional
rights and immunites of the Executive have
been violated in the person of the President.
The trial of an impeachment Of the President
before the Senate, on charges preferred and
prosecuted against him by the House of Rep
resentatives, would be an imposing spectacle
for tue world. In the result, not only his
moval from the Presidential Office would be in
| yolved, but what IS Of infinitely greater impor-
iance to himself, his character, both in the eyes
Iof the present and of future generations,
might possibly be taruisbed The disgrace
east upon him would, 10 some degree, be re-
hectod upou the character OF the American
people who elected him. Hence the precau-
tions adopted by the Constitution to secure
fair trial Un such a trial. it declares that
The Chief Justice shall preside. This was
tsdoubtless because the trainers of the Consti-
tuition believed ii to be possible that the Vice
! President might bo biased by the fact that, in
case of removal of the President from office,
the same shall 1evolve on The Vice President
The preliminary proceedings IN the House in
the case Of charges which may involve im-
! parchment, have been we'll and wisely settled,
| by long practice, upon principles of equal
justice, both to the accused and to the people.
The precedent established in the case of Judge
| Peck, Of Missouri, in 1881, after careful re-
view OF all former precedents, will, venture
/ to predict, stand the test of time. ln that
| test, Luke Edward Lawless, the accuser, pro-
sented petition to the House, 10 which be set
/ forth, minutely aud specifically, his causes of
complaint. lle prayed that the conduct and
proceedings in behalf of the said Judge Peck
may be inquired into by your honorable body,
and such decision made thereon as your wis
dom and justice shall seem proper. This pc
tition was referred to the judiciary Committee,
and such has ever been deemed the appropri-
ate committee to make similar Investigations.
1t is a standing committee, supposed to be ap-
pointed without reference to any special case,
and at all times is presumed to DC composed of
the most eminent lawyers iD the House from
different portions of the Union, whose ac-
quaintance with judicial proceedings, and whose
habits of investigation qualify them peculiarly
for the task. No tribunal, from their position
aud character, could, in the nature Of things,
be more impartial. Iu the case of Judge Peck
the witnesses we're selected by the Committee
itself, with the view to ascertain the truth of
| the charge.
They were cross examined by him, and eve
4 bLtuH Was GUuQuCtSu III suCu do w
afford him no reasonable cause Of complaint.
In view of this precedent, and what is OF
! far greater Importance, in view OF the Con-
stitution and principles of eternal justice, in
what manner has the President Of the United
States been treated by the House of Repre-
sentatiYes? Mr.. JOIN Covode, representa-
tive from Pennsylvania, is the aceuser of the
President. Instead of following the wise pre-
cedents Of former tunes, aud especially that IN
the case of Judge Peck, and referring the ac-
cusaton to the Committee on the judiciary,
the House have made my accuser one OF my
judges.
10 make the acsuser the judge is violation
of principles of universal justice, and is con-
demned by the practice of all civilized nations.
Every freeman must revolt at such spectacle.
am to appear before MIR. Covode, either per-
sonally or by substitute, to cross examine
the witnesses which he may produce before
himself, TO sustain his OWL accusations against
me. And perhaps even this poor boon may be
denied to the President. And what is the ma
ture of the investigation which his resolution
proposes to instituted 1t is as vague and gen.
eral as the English language affords words 10
which to make it, The committee is to inquire
not into any specific charge or charges, but
whether the President has, by 'smoney, patron
age, or other improper means sought to indu-
ence," not the action of any individual MEM
ber of Congress, but ''the action (of the entire
body) of Congress itself, or any committee
thereof.'' The President might baye had some
glimmering of the nature of the offence to be
investigated, had his acouser pointed to the
act or acts of Congress which he sough: to
pass or to defeat by the employment of ''mon--
ey, patronage or other improper means" But
the accusation is bound by no such limits. 1t
extends to the whole circle of legislation; to
the inference for or against the passage OF any