Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-04-19

'f1ce Of al fhele 1Se11, that Is Wa6 xe11Iy fEe
Intention Of de House 10 enter into The State
Of Pennsylvania. and other States, with =
view 20 the prosecution of the inquiries pro-
vitled for BY the terms of the second resolu-
ton Snch proceeding would be an in
vseion of the righte of the States and . usur-
patton Of power on the part of the House.
No one can for moment suppose that it Was
the object of the majority Of the House,
What. then, was II? 1t is hardly possible to
avoid the conclusion that the real object was
TO obtain the power to institute the extra
ordinary inquisiiion into the whole Official
life Of the President, which is provided for in
the first resolution
B fore a majority of the House deliberately
decides to persevere in the course entered on
by the adoption of these resolutions, it will
be we'll for them to examine the resolutions
and consider well where this course is 10 lead.
The resolutions NOT only authorize an inqui-
sition, in the nature of criminal prosecu-
ton, into the whole official life Of the Presi-
dent, and of every officer under the govern
ment. without any specific charge made or
distinct fact stated on which charge could
be made, but it also arms these employed ju
making this iDquisition with "power to send
for persons and papers, or. in other words,
to compel, at their discretion. every person
within the limits of the United States to sub
NIT all the papers in his possession to their
inspection and perusal at their mere will and
pleasure. Ii the institution of criminal pro-
ceedings against individuals, without any
reasonable grounds of suspicion having been
shown, displays sufficient disregard of the
rights OF the citizen under the law, what must
be thought of a proceeding which invests q
minority of the committee of the House, en-
ployed in the prosecution of such an inquisi-
ton, with q power. to be exercised At their
discretion, to call for and compel the produc-
ton of the private papers of every citizen,
and that, too, in the face of the provisions of
the fourth article of the amendments of the
constitution OF the United State, which de-
clares that 1.-THE rights of the people to be Sc
cure in their persons, houses, papers and
effects against unreasonable searches and
seizures. shall mot be violated;' and that mo
warrants shall be issued but upon probable
cause supported by oath or affirmation, aad
particularly describing the place to be search
ed. and the person or things to be seized?"
The first approaches of arbitrary power
are always insidious, and are carefully yelled
under specious pretences. If proceedings
of the character of this just instituted by the
House are TO be tolerated by the Am, rican
people, and pass into prec. dent, what be-
comes of the boosted immunilies of the citi-
zenF They disappear at once and forever
u ider the arbitrary power which may at any
lime be exerted for his oppression, whether
lie he in a private or public station, at the
will of mere majority OF the House of Rep
resentatives. 1t has been truly said that the
teachings of all history shows that eternal
vigilance is the price of liberty;' and it will
be well for the American people and their
posterity if they are not forgetful of the les
son in this crisis of our affairs.
In conclusion, the undersigned declares,
tat. in his opinion, the positions taken by
the President in the message referred to the
committee, and which were stated in sub
stance at the opening ofthis report, are right;
and that the protest made by him against the
action of the House has a solid foundation in
the provisions of the constitution of the
United States, and IN those great principles
which underlie every well ordered system OF
law hitherto established 70 the alminis + ltion
Of justice. MILES TAYLOR.