Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-04-02

dietary. the House have made my aecuser one of
my judges.
To make the accuser tho judge is violation of
the principles of universal justice, and is condemn
ed by the practice of all civilized nations. Every
FREQ man must revllt Mt such spectacle. l am
to appear before Mr.. Covode, either personally or
hyu substitute, to crossexamipo tho witnesses
which he may produce before himself TO sustain
in his own accusations against me; and perhaps
this paor boon may bo denied to tho President.
And what's tho nature Of the investigation
which his resolution proposes to institutef 1t
as vague and general rs the English language nj
iords words in which to make it, The committee
is to inquire, not into any specific charge or
charge-, but whether the President hos, by "mon.
~, rntronage, or other improper means, sought
lo influence not the action Of any individual
member member Of congress, but ",he action"
oi the entiro body "of Congress" itself, "or any
committee thereof" Tho President might have
had some glimmernS of tho nature Of the offense
to be Investigated hal Lis accuser pointed to tho
act or acts OF Congress which ho sought to pass or
to defeat b. the employment OF "moncy, patron.
oge other mpI oper means" But the aceusn-
ton is bounded by no such limits. 1t extends to
the whole circle If legislation; to interference
:'ior or against the passage Of any law aprertain-
ing to tho rights oi any State or Territory" And
what Inv dncs not appcrtain to the rights Of some
state or Territory? And what law laws has
the President failed to execute? These might
tel.
Had Mr.. Iawless asked an inquiry to DO made
by the House whether Judge Peek, in general
term. ha not violated his judicial duties, with
ont the specification of any particular act, d"
not believe there would have been single. vote in
that body III favor ol the inquiry,
Since the time o the Star Chamber and of gem
rr.l warrants there has been no such proceeding
in England.
rnr House OF Representatives the high impcach
iug power of the country, without conscnting To hear
word of explanation, have endorsed this accusation
arninst the President, aud made it their own act
They even refused member 10 inquire of the Pres
dent snecuser whnt the specific charges against
him. Thus In this preliminary accusation Of "high
crimes and misdcmeauors' against coordinate
hrnuch of the government, under the impeachlng
power the House refuse to hear single suggestion
even in regard To the correct mode of proceedings
hui, without moments delay passed the nccusatoty
resolution, under the pressure of the previous que.-
iIon.
IN the Institution of n prosecution for any offence
against the mosi humble citzen-and claim for my
,clt createg rights than he cnjoysthe constltn-
ton of the Eued States and ofthe several States ro
qurc that he shall be informed In the very beginning,
OF the nature and cause Of tho accusation against
him. in order to enable him TO prepare for hs defence
There are other principles, which might enumc
rate not less sncrrd presenting mpenetrable shield
10 protect every citizen falsely charged with criminal
onensr. These have been violated In the prosecution
instituted by the House of Representatives against tho
executive branch of the government. Shall the Pres
irnt alone be deprived of the protection ofhese great
principles which prevail in every land where n ray Of
liberty pcnctrates the gloom of despoism? Shall the
executive alone be deprived OF rights which oil his
icow-exens enjoy7 The whole proceeding against
him usiiles the fears of those wise and great men
who, before tho constitution was adopted by tho
Suites, npprehended that the tendency of the gov
"nmcn WINS TO the aggrnndizement of the legislative
-! the expense or the executive and judicial depart
lnrniq
agnin declare, cmphatically that make this pro-
test for personal to my self nnd do with
perfect respect for the House of Representatives in
which had the honor of serving for n term Of five
successive years. | have lived long in this goo1ly
land. aud have enjoyed n the Offices and honors
which my country could bestow. Amid all the po-
ticnl storms through which have passed, the pres
ant is the first attempt which hhs ever been made to
my knowledge 10 nssa my personal or official in
irErity; md this rs the time is approaching when |
tlnl voluntarily retire from the service of my
t-v feel proudly conscious tina: there Ia no public
act Of my life which will bear the strictcst scrutiny.
defy MI investigation. Nothing but the bnsest per-
jury can suly my good name. do not fear even
this; because cherish mn humble confidence that tho
gracious Being who has hitherto defended and pro-
ccted me against the shafts of fnschood and malice
will not desert me now, when have become cold
md grey headed" Lean declare before God and nv
country that no human being with nm exception
scarcely worthy of notcel has ut any period of my
life dared to approach me with corrupt or dishono
rhhlc proposition; and, until recent dcy yelopments, it
bad never entered into my imagination that any per-
son, even IN the storm OF exaaperated political excite
mrnt would charge me, in the most remote degree,
with having made such a proposition to any human
hcing. may now however, ,excIam, In the language
Of complaint employed by my first and greatest pre-
decessor, that have been abused din such exaggera-
ted and indecent terms could scarcely be applied
10 Zero to n notorious defiulter, even TO u COM
mon pckpockct,'
I do therefore, for the reasons stated, and in tho
name of the people of the several States, solemnly
protest against these proceedings OF the House of
Representatives; because they in violation of tho
rights OF the coordinate executive branch of the
government, and snbvcrsivc of its constitutional nde-
pendence; because they calculated TO foster band
of interested parasites and inormers, ready for
their own advantage, 10 wear before ex parte COM
mittces to pretended fiva,e conversations between
the President and themselves incapable. from their
nature of being disproved; thus furnishing material
for harrassng him degrading him In the eyes OF the
country, and eventually should he be weak or IL
tmid man, rendering him subserveni to improper in
1nenees, in order to avoid such prosecutions and
noyances because they tend to destroy that harmo-
nious action for the common good. which ought to he
maintained and which sincerely desire to cherish,
between co .ordinate branches Of the government;
and. finally, because II unresised, they would
tablish precedent dangerous and embarrassing
TO all my successors, TO whatever political party
they might be attached.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washington 2sm March, 1860