Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-04-04

the nature of the offence to be investigated had his
accuser pointed to the act acts Of Congress which
he sought to pass 10 defeat by the employment of
money. patronage, or other improper means =
But the accusation is bounded by no such limits
1t extends to The whole circle Of legislation; to in
reference " for or against the passage of any law
appertaining TO the rights OF any State or Ierrto-
rv" And what law does not appertaiD to the rights
of some State or Territory: And what law or laws
has the President failed to execute? These might
easily have been pointed out had any such existed.
Had Mr. IawlcsS asked an inquiry to be made by
the House whether Judge Peck. in general terms,
had not violated his judicial duties without the
specification of any particular act do not believe
there would have been single vote in that body IN
favor of the inquiry.
Since the time of the Star Chamber and Of gencr-
nj warrants there has been no such proceeding IN
England.
The House of Representatives the high impreach-
ing power Of the country, without conserving to
hear word of explanation, have embossed this accu-
sa,on against tho President, and made it their own
act. They even refused to permit member to IN
0uirc uf the Presidents accuScf what were the Spc-
cific charges against him. Thus in this preliminary
accusation OF high crimes and misdcmcanorS
against coordinate branch Of the Government I'M
der the impcachny power the House refused to near
a single suggestion even in regard To the coilc't
mode of proceeding; but, without moments delay,
passed the acCuSarOry resolutions under the pressure
OF the previous question.
In the institution Of prosecution for any offence
against the most humble citzcn-and claim Tor
myself 10 greater rights than he cnoys--the Con
Stitution of the United States and of the several
States require that he shall he informed, in the
very beginning of the nature and cause OF the
accusation against him, III order TO enable him to
prepare for his defence. There are other principles,
which might cnumcratc. not less sacred, present
ing an impcnctrabc shield to protect every citizen
falsely charged with criminal offence. These have
been violated IN the prosecution Instituted by the
House Of Representatives against the Executive
branch of the Government. Shall the President
alone he deprived of the protection Cf these great
principles which prevail in every land where ray
of liberty pcnctratcS the gloom of dCspotiSm: Shall
the Executive alone he deprived Of rights which all
his fellow citizens enjoy? The whole proceeding
against him S;iiicS the fears of these wise AMI great
men who. before the Constitution WAS adopted by
the States unprecedented that the tendency of the
Government was to the aggrandizcment of the Leg
iSlayc 1t the expense of the Executive and Judicial
Departments.
again declare, emphatically, that I make this
protest for no reason personal TO myself; and do
il with perfect respect for the House OF Representa-
tivcS IN which had the honor of serving aS mem
Der for five successive terms. | have lived long in
this coolly land and have enjoyed al the offices and
hnnorS which my country could bcstOw. Amid all
the political storms through which | have passed
the present is the first attempt which has ever been
made. to my knowledge, TO aSSail my personal or
official integrity; and this the time is approach
i'm when shall voluntarily retire from the service
Of my country | feel proudly conscious that there
is no public act of my life which will rot hear the
str;cttSt scrutiny defy all investigation. Nothing
hut the haSest perjury can suily my good name. |
do not fear even this because cherish an humble
confidence that the gracious Being who has hitherto
defended and protected me against the shafts OF false
hood and malice will not desert me now, when
bovn lnrn,nC old and headed | declare
before God and my country that TO human being
with an exception Scarcclv worthy of notice. has at
any period of my life dared 10 approach me with 4
corrupt or diShonorahlc proposition and until re-
cent developments. il had never entered into my i'm
agination that pcrSCn, even i'll the storm OF en-
aSpcratcd political excitement, would charge me- in
the most remote degree, with having made such Il
proposition to any human hcng. ! may now, how
ever. cxclam, in the language Of complaint employ
ci by my first and greatest predecessor. that have
been abused in such exaggerated and indecent
terms as could scarcely hc applied to Nero, to a
notorious dcfaultcr, or even to 4 common pick
pocket"
| do therefore, for the reasons stated. and in the
name of the people Of the several States Solcmnly
protest against these proceedings of the House of
Representatives because they arc in violation of
the rights of the coordinate Executive branch Of the
government and Subvcr>ive of its constitutional in
dependence; because they calculated 10 foster 4
band of interested parasites and iniOrmcrS,
dv for their advantage to swear before or IHre
committees to pretended private conversations be-
tween the President and themselves incapable, from
their nature Of being disprovcd; thus furnishing
material for harassing him, degrading him IN the
eyes Of the contry, and eventually, should he be
weak a timid man, rendering him SubServient to
improper influences, in order TO avoid such pcrse-
cuion< and annoyanccS; because they tend to de-
strov that harmonious action for the common good,
which ought to DC maintained and which sincerely
desire to CHERISH between coordinate branches OF
the government; and finally. because, if mnrcSStcd,
they wo"ll establish precedent dangerous and en-
harraS>ing to all my TO whatever politi-
cal party they might he attached
JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON, 2Sth March, 1860.