Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-04-04

President might have nad some SilmmeTlHS VI
the nature of the offence to be investigated had his
accuser pointed to the act acts Of Congress which
he sought to pass or to 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 Terrific
ry." And what law does not appertaln 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.. Lawless 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 gener-
al 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-
sation against the President and made it their own
act They even refused to permit member to in
quire of the Presidents accuser what were the spe-
cifc charges against him. Thus in this preliminary
accusation of thigh crimes and misdemeanors
against coordinate branch of the Government un-
der the impeacng power, the House refused to hear
a single suggestion even in regard to the correct
mode of proceeding; but, without moments delay,
passed the accusatoy resolutions under the pressure
of the previous question.
In the institution of prosecution for any offence
against the most humble citizen-and claim for
myself no greater rights than he enjoys--the Con-
stitution of the United States and of the several
States require that he shall be informed, in the
very beginning, of the nature and cause Of the
accusation against him, in order to enable him to
prepare for his defence. There other principles,
which | might enumerate, not less sacred, present
ing an impenetrabe shield to protect every citizen
falsely charged with a 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 be deprived of the protection of these great
principles which prevail in every land where ray
of liberty peneratcs the gloom of despotism? Shall
the Executive alone be deprived Of rights which all
his fellow-citizens enjoy? The whole proceeding
against him usties the fears of those wise and great
men who, before the Constitution was adopted by
the States, apprehendcd that the tendency of the
Government was to the aggrandizement of the Leg
isatve at the expense of the Executive and Judicial
Departments.
again declare, emphatically, that I make this
protest for no reason personal to myself; and do
it with perfect respect for the House of Representa-
tves, IN which had the honor of serving as men,
Der for five successive terms. have lived long in
this goodly land and have enjoyed all the offices and
honors which my country could bestow. 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
ing 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 bear the
strctest scrutiny. defy ak investigation. Nothing
but the basest perjury can sully 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 |
have become "old and grey-headed." [ can declare
before God and my country that TO human being
with an exception scarcely worthy of notice. has at
any period of my life dared to approach me with
corrupt or dishonorabe proposition; and until re-
cent Developments it had never entered into my i'm
aginaton that any person, even in the storm Of en-
asperated political excitement would charge me- in
the most remote degree, with having made such
proposition to any human being. may now, how
ever, exclam, in the language Of complaint employ
ed by my first and greatest predecessor, that have
been abused "in such exaggerated and indecent
terms as could scarcely be applied to a Nero, to
notorious defaulter, or even to a common pick
pocket"
| do, therefore, for the reasons stated and in the
name of the people of the several States solcmnly
protest aSalnSt THESE proceedings OF the House Oh
Representatives because they are in violation of
the rights of the coordinate Executive branch Of the
government and subversive of its constitutional in
dependence; because they calculated to foster
band of interested parasites and informers, ever rea
dy for their advantage to swear before erparte
committees to pretended private conversations be-
tween the President and themselves incapable from
their nature. of being disproved; thus furnishing
material for harassing him, degrading him IN the
eyes of the country, and eventually, should he be
weak or timid man, rendering him subservient to
improper influences, in order to avoid such perse-
cutions and annoyances; because they tend to de-
stroy that harmonious action for the common good,
which ought to be maintained and which sincerely
desire to cherish, between coordinate branches of
the government; and finally, because, if unresisted
they would establish precedent dangerous and en-
barrassing to all my successors, to whatever polit-
cal party they might be attached.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON, 2sth March, 1860.