Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-04-02
AN ADLi DOCUMENT.
Speeje, message 81 the President TO the
Hous- OF Heprese atas.ves, on the Osode
suvc z alton N1aIifF.

and areiul ucliDciatiob' hh' ia 81
constrained by an imperious sense OF
,h.tv as a coordinate branch OF the
Federal Government, TO PROTEST
ara,nst the two first clauses of the first
re.outon adopted by the House OF Rep
resentatives on the 9TH inst. and pub
hsaed in the Congressional Globe oil
nc succeeding day. TIE clauses are il
the following words: First, "Resolred
That Committee OF five be appointed
by the Speaker for the purpose of inves
tigatiug whether the President Of the
United States, or any officer Of the
government has by money, patronage. or
other improper means, sought 10 IN
fluence the passage Of any law apper-
tanning to the rights Of any State OF
Territory" aud second, also ito inquire
into and investigate whether any officer
or oilicers Of the government has by
combination or otherwise prevented or
attempted to prevent or defeat the cxecE-
ton Of any laws now upon the statute
book or whether the President has
failed or refused to compel the execu-
ton Of any law thereof" | contine my
self exclusively to these two branches
Of the resolution, because the portions
Of that which follow, relate to alleged
abuses in the Postoflice, Navy Yards,
Pubic Huildings,and other public works
Of tie United States. In sach ca,es,
inquiries are highly properin themselves,
and belong equally to the Senate and
House as incident to to their legislative
duty, and being necessary to enable them
to discover aud provide appropriate leg
islatlve remedies for any abuses which
nav be ascertaincd to exist. Although
the terms Of tho latter portions Of the
resolution are extremely vague and gen
eral, my sole purpose in adyerting to
line cf distinction between the accu-
sat,ons and remedial clauses of this
resolution. The IIoue of Representa-
tiyes possess no power, under the Con
stituton, over the first or accusatory
portion of the resolution, except as an
mpcaching BODY whilst over the last,
in common with the Senate, their au-
thority as legislative body is fully and
cheerlully admitted. 1t is solely in
reference to the first or impeachit g
power that propose to make few
observations. Except in this single case
the Constitution has invested the House
of Representatives with no power, nc
jurisdiction, no supremacy whatever
over the President. In all other respect,
he is Just as independent of them as they
are Of him. AS coordinate branch Of
the government he is their equal
Indeed, he is the only direct repre-
sentative on earth Of the people of a
and each OF the sovereign States. To
them, and them alone, is he responsible
whilst acting within the sphere of hi,
Constitutional duty land not in any man
ncr to the House Of Representatives
The people have thought proper to in
vest him with the most honorable, re-
sponsible and dignified office in the
world, and the individual, however un
worthy, now holding this exalted posi-
ton, will take care, so far as in him lies
that their rights and prerogatives shall
never be violated in his person, but
shall pass to his SUCCESSORS unimparec
by the adoption of dangerous prcce
dent. He will defend them to the las
extremity, against any demonstrations
attempt, come from what quarter it may
to abridge the constitutional rights OF the
Executive, and render him subservient
to any human power except themselves
The people have not confined the
President to.the exercise of the executive
duties. They have also conferred on
him large measure Of Legislative pow.
er. 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 of two
thirds of both Houses. In his Legisla
tive capacity he might, in common with
the Senate and House, institute inquiry
to ascertain any facts which are to in.
fuence his judgment in approving OF
vetoing any bill. This participating in
the performance Of legislative duties be
tween coordinate branches of the gov
eminent ought to inspire the conduct
all of them in their relations towards
each other with mutual forbearance and
respect. AT lest each has a right to de-
nand justice of the other.
The cause OF complaint is that the
constitutional rights and immunities O
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 Representatives, would b,
an imposing spectacle for the world. II
the result, not only his removal from tn.
Presidential office would be involved, but
what is of infinitely greater Importance
to himself, his character, both in The
eyes OF the present and future genera
tions, might possibly be tarnished. The
disgrace cast upon him would in some
degree be reflected upon the character
Of the American people who elected
him. Hence the precautions adopte,
by the Constitution to secure a fair trial
On such trial it declares that the Chic
Justice shall preside. This was doubt
less because the trainers of the Consti
tuition believed it to be possible that the
Vice President might be biased by tn
fact that in case OF the removal of tn
President from Office the same shall
devolve upon the Vice President.
The preliminary proceedings in the
House in case of charges which ma,
| involve imneachmnnt have been well AM