The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-08-01

withheld.
In their examinations the committee violate,
the most sacred ard honorable condolences ex
isting among men. Private correspondence
which truly honorable man would never evel
entertain distant thought Of divulging, wa
dragged to light. Different persons in ofica
and confidential relations with myself, and will
whom it was supposed might have held con
versations, the revelation OF which would d.
me injury, were examined. Even members o
the Senate and members of my own Cabinet
both my Constitutional advisers, were calleC
upon to testify, for the purpose OF discoverin!
if possible, that would operate to do me SOM
discredit.
The distribution ofthe patronage ofthe Gov
ernment is by far the most dsagreeable duty
for the President. Applicants are so numer
Gus, and their applications are pressed will
such eagerness by their friends both in and ou
of Congress, that the selection of one for any
desirable office gives offence to many Disap
pointed applicants, removed officers and those
who for any cause, real or imaginary had be-
come hostile to ths Administration, presented
themselves, or were invited by a summons tc
appear before the committee. These are the
most dangerous witnesses. Even with the best
intentions, they are so influenced by prcdjudice
that they almost inevitably discolor truth
Teey swear to their own version of private con-
versations with the President without the pos,
sibity Of contradiction His lips are sealed
and he is left at their mercy. He cannot as a
coordinate branch of the Government, appear
before committee of investigation to contra
dict the oaths OF such witnesses. Every cow.
ard knows that he can employ insulting lam
guage against the President with impunty, and
every false or prejudiced witness can attempt to
swear away his character before such com.
mittee without the fear Of contradiction.
Thus, for months, whilst doing my best at
one end Of the avenue to perform my high and
duties to the country, has there
been committee OF the House of Representa-
tifeS at lHe otnei Gnu VI tIle uFeuue, epIedulilE
a drag net, without the shadow of authority
from the House, over the whole Union, to catch
any disappointed man willing to magn my
all this in secret conclave. The
Lions mouth at Venice, into which secret de-
nunciations were dropped, is an apt illustration
Of The Covode committee. The Star Chamber,
tyranlcal and odious as it was, never proceeded
in such manner. For centuries there has
been nothing like it IN any civilized country, ex
eept the revolutionary tribunal of France in
the days Of Robcspjerre.
Now, undertake to state and to prove, that
should the proceedings Of the committee be
sanctioned by the House, and become prece-
lent for future times, the balance Of the Con-
siituton will be entirely upset, and there will
no longer the three coordinate and independent
branches Of the Government-Leg legislative, ExA
,cutive and Judicial. The worst fears of the
Patriots and Statesmen who trained the Con.
'titution, in regard to the usurpations OF the
Legislative on the Executive and judicial bran
,hes will then be realized. In the language of
Mr.. Madison, speaking on this very subject, in
he 48th number of the Federaist: I'm rep
Republic, where the Executive mag
stracy is carefully limited both in the extent
md duration of its power; and where the Leg
sative power is exercised by an assembly
which is inspired by a supposed influence over
he people, with an intrepid confidence in its
,wn strength, which is sufficiently numerous
o feel all the passions which actuate multi
ude, yet not SO numerous as to be incapable of
pursuing the objects Of its passions by means
which reason prescribes; it is against the enter
,rising ambition of this department that the
,eoplc ought to indulge all their jealousy and
exhaust all their precautions" And in the ex-
,ressive and pointed language Of Mr.. Jefferson,
when speaking of the tendency Of the legisla-
i've branch of Government to usurp the rights
II the weaker branches: "The concentrating
hese in the same hands is precisely the defln-
ion of despotc government. 1t will be no al
eviation that these powers will by exercised by
plurality of hands, and not by single one.
)ne hundred aud seventy-three despots would
surely be as oppressive as one. Let those who
loubt turn their eyes to the Republic of Venice.
As little will it avail us that they are chosen by
ourselves. An elective despotlsm was not the
government we fought for; but one which sho'd
lot only be founded on free principles, but in
which the powers of government should be so
livided and balanced among several bodies of
nagistracy as that no one would transcend
heir legal limits without being effectually
hecked and contaoled by the Others"
Should the proceedings Of the Covode com
pirit CT the Constitution will be violated. One
# the three massive columns on which the
whole superstructure rests will be broken down
instead of the Executive being co ordinate,
t will become subordinate branch OIL fthe Coy
rnment. The presidential office will be drag
ed into the dust. The House of Representa-
ives will then have rendered the Executive al
most necessarily subservent to its wishes in
tead Of being independent. How is it posi-
lie that two powers in the State can be co or
Innate and independent Of each other, If the
me claims and exercises the power to reprose
nd to censure all the official acts and all the
'rivate conversations OF the other--and this
Ipon er parte testimony before secret inquisi
oral committee; in short. to assume gener
! censorship over the other? The idea is as
bsurd in public as it would be in private life
Should the President attempt TO assert and
maintain his own independence, future covode
Committees may dragon him into submission