The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1860-04-26


each Of the sovereign States.
ITO them and to them alone is he
responsible, whilst acting within the
sphere of his constitutional duty and
not in any manner to the House
of Representatives. The people have
thought proper to invest him with the
most honorable, responsible and dignis
fed Office in the world, and the indi-
vidual, however unworthy, now holding
this exalted position, will take care so
far as in him lies, that their rights and
prerogativcs shall never be violated in
his person, but shall pass to his success
sors unimpairod by the adoption of
dangerous precedent lie will defend
them to the last extremity against any
unconstitutional attempt, come from
what quarter it may, to abridge the con.
.stitutionOl rights of the Executive and
render him subseryient to any human
power except themselves
"Tho people have not confined the
President to exercise the Executive du-
ties, they have also conferred on him
large measure Of legislative discretion.
No bill can become q law without his
approval, as representing the people Of
the United States, unless it shall pass
after his veto by majority Of two-thirds
Of both Houses. In this legislative
capacity he might in common with the
Senate and House, institute inquiry to
ascertain any facts which are to inAu-
ence his judgment in approving or We
toing any bill.
"Ihis participating in the perform
ance Of legislative duties between CO.
ordinate branches of the Government
ought to inspire the conduct of all them,
in their relations towards each other,
with mutual forbearance and respect;
at least each has a right to demand jus
tice Of the other.
"Tho cause Of complaint is that the
constitutional rights and immunities 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 against him by the House Of
| Representatives would be an imposing
spectacle for the world. In the result,
not only his removal from the Prosi-
Dental Office would be involved, but
what is infinitely Of greater Importance
to himself, his character, both in the
eyes of the present and Of future genera.
tions, might possibly be furnished,
"Tho disgrace cast upon him would
in some degree be reflected upon the
character Of the American people who
elected him. Hence the precautions
adopted by the Constitution to secure
fair trial. On such trial it declares
that the Chief Justice shall preside
This was doubtless because the trainers
of the Constitution believed it to be
possible that the Vice President might
be swayed by the fact that in case of
the removal Of the President from
Office the same shall devolye upon the
| Vice President,
"Tho preliminary proceedings in the
House, in case Of charges which may
involve impeachment, have been we'll
aud wisely settled by long practice upon
principles of equal justice, both to the
accused and to the people The pre-
codont established in the case of Judge
Peck, Of Missouri, in 1881, after a
careful view of all the former prcce-
dents, will, l venture to predict, stand
the test of time In that case, Luke
Edward Lawlcss, the accuser, presented
petition to the House in which he set
forth, minutely and specifically, his
causes of complaint, He prayed that
"the conduct and proceedings in the be.
half Of the said Judge Peck may be in
quirod into by your honorable body,
and such decision made thereon as to
your wisdom and justice shall seem
proper ~
"This petition was referred to the
Judiciary Committee. Such has ever
been deemed the appropriate Committee
to mako a similar investigation.
at is a standing committee, supposed
to be appointed without reference to any
special cause, and at all times is pre-
sumed to be composed Of the most emf
nont lawyers in the House from differ
ont portions of the Union, whose ac
quaintauce with judicial proceedings
and whose habits Of investigation quail
|ify them peculiarly for the task. Nc
tribunal from their position and char
acter could be more impartial.
"In the case Of Judge Peck, the wit
nesses were selected by the committed
itself, with a view to ascertain the truth
of the chargco. They were cross.ox
amined by him, and every thing wal
conducted in such a manner as to aforC
him no reasonable cause for complaint
"In view Of this precedent, and wha
is Of far greater Importance, in view Of
the Constitution and the principles Of
eternal justice, in what manner has thI
President of tho United States beer
treated by the Houseof Representatives
, "Mr. John Covodo, a representative
, from Pennsylvania, is an aoouser Of
the President. Instead of following
the wise prooodents Of former times, an'
especially that in the case of Judg
p Peck, and referring the accusation Il
to the Committee on the Judiciary, tn
House has made my accuser one Of m.
; judges
] "po make the accusor the judge is
4 violation Of the principles Of universe
= Justice, and is condemned by the praC
. tico Of all civilized nations, Ever