Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1860-04-07

from different portions Of the Union, whose
acquaintance with judicial proceedings, and
whose habits of investigation qualify them
peculiarly for the task. No tribunal, from
their position and character could, in the
nature of things. be more impartial In
the case of Judge Peck the witnesses were
selected by the committee itself, with the
view to ascertain the truth Of the charge.
They were cross examined by him, and
everything was conducted in such man.
ner as to afford him no reasonable cause
of complaint.
In view of this precedent, and what is OF
far greater Importance, in view of the Con
stitution and principles of eternal justice,
in what manner has the President of the
United States been treated by the House
of Representatives? Mr. John Covode,
representative from Pennsylvania, is the
accuser of the President. Instead of fol-
lowing the wise prccodcnts of former times,
and especially that in the case Of Judge
Peck, and referring the accusation to the
Committee on the Judiciary, the House
have made my accuser one of my judges.
To make the accuser the Judge is VIC
lation of the principles of universal justice,
and is condemned by the practice of all
civilized nations. Every freeman must re-
volt at such a spectacle. l am to appear
before Mr.. Covodo, either personally or by
substitute, to cross examine the witnesses
which he may produce before himself, to
sustain his own accusations against me, and
perhaps even this poor boon may be d, MED
to the President.
And what's the nature of the investigation
which his resolution proposes to institute
1t is as vague and general as the English
language affords words in which to make
it. The Committee is to inquire, not into
any specific charge or charges, but whcth.
er the President has, by "monoy, patron
age or other improper means, sought to in
huenco hot the action of any individual
member Or members of Congress, but "the
action (of tho entire body) of Congress it.
self, or any Committee thereof. The
President might have had some glimmcr-
ing Of the nature of the offence to be inves-
tigatcd had its aceuscr pointed to the act
or acts of Congress which he sought to
pass Or defeat by the employment of "mon-
ey, patronage or other improper means"
But the accusation is bound by no such
limits 1t extends to the whole circle of
legislation to the interference "for or a.
gainst the passage Of any lawapportaining
to the rights of any State or Territory"
And what law does not appcrtain to the
rights of State Or Territory! And what
law or laws has the President failed to cx
ecute? 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 judi
cial duties, without the specification Of any
particular act, | do not believe there
would have been a single vote in that body
i'll favor Of the inquiry. Since the time ol
the Star Chamber and of General War.
rants, there has been no such proceeding
in England. The House of Representa-.
! tives, the impcaching power Of the country
without conscnting to hear II word of cx
, planation, have endorsed the accu ;atiDn
against the President, and made it thcil
! own act. They even refused to permit 4
! member to inquire Of the President ac-
= cuser what were the specific charges against
, him. Thus in this preliminary accusation
:, of high crimes and misdemoauora agsins
!, a co>ordinate branch of the Government
a under the impcaching power, the lIous
4 refused to hear Il single suggestion even i
regard to the correct mode of proceeding
II but, without moments delay, passed til
r accusatory resolutions under the prcssur
OF the previous question.
II In the Institution of prosecution fc
- any offence against the most humble cit
y zen-and | claim for myself no create
le rights than he onjoya-thc Constitution
il the United States, and OF the several ;5tate
h require that he should be informed iii til
,e very beginning, of the nature and cause
ID the accusation again't him, in order to prt
l. pare for his defence. There are 9th,
1T principles which | might enumerate, II,
,r loss sacred, presenting an impenetrab
he shield to protect every citizen falsel
n charged with criminal offence. The,
(, have been violated in the prosecution inst
m tutcd by the House of Representatives
III gainst the Executive branch of the Cover
It ment Shall the President alone be d,
m privcd of the protection of those great pril
at ciples which prevail in every land where
of ray of liberty ponctrates the gloom of de
ne potism! Shall the Executive alone
IN deprived of rights which all his fellow ci
,e liens enjoy! The whole proceeding again
II. him justi6es the fears of those wise an
n great men who, before the Constitution WI
to adopted by the States, apprehended tina
E. the tendency of the Government was to tt
Id aggrandizcment of the Legislative at Il
t. expense of the Executive and Judicial d
r, partmcnts.
u lagain declare cmphatically, that ma
h. this protest for no reason personal to IN
in self, and do it with perfect respect f
C. the House of Representatives, in which
ed had the honor ofserving as member f
oy five successive terms. | have lived lor
IN in this goodly land, and have enjoyed
Is the offices and honors which my count
e- could bestow. Amid all the polite