The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-04-20

Iuc very OppOSlCt CudTdCV0i HOuA IuOSe inc
President ascribes to them, that it is diff.
cult to resist a disposition to attribute in.
sincerity to the President to accomplish the
purposes of this protest. The world is but
a great battle field for power, and if univer-
sal history teaches lesson it is this: That
power is always stealing from the many to
the few; that the executive heads of nations
absorb peculiar rights, and that all resolu-
ton on the part of the people is not to es-
tablish thrones, but to regain that which
has been wrung from them by thrones. The
citizens of the United States have reason
to fear that from which every other nation
has suffered. The committee entertaining
the views herein expressed, recommend the
following resolution
RESOLVED, That the House dissents from the
doctrines in the special message of the Presi-
deut of the United States of March 28th, 1860,
that the extent of power contemplated in the
adoption OF the resolution of inquiry of March
5th, 1860, is necessary to the proper discharge
OF the constitutional duties devolved upon Con-
gress; that judicial determinations the opinions
OF former presidents, and uniform usage sane
ton its exercise; and that to abandon it would
leave the executive department of the govern
ment without supervision or responsibility, and
would be likely to lead to a concentration of
power in the hands of the President dangerous
to the rights of a free people
Mr.. Houston said that Mr.. Taylor and
himself were the minority of the judiciary
Committee, but for want of time they had
not been able to get together to agree upon
joint report. Each of them, however, had
prepared separate report, both agreeing
on general principles and sustaining the
Presidents special message. Mr.. Houston's
views we're read: The trainers of the Con-
stitution sought to confne each department
within proper limits, so that one might not
encroach upon the other and thus disturb
the equilibrium; therefore the House of
Representatives should confne its action to
the limitations and requirements of the Con-
stitution. 1t was alike due to justice and
the character of our government at home
and abroad that it should not be perverted
for the oppression of individuals, or mere
party advantage, by investigation into
vague and slanderous imputations founded
on street rumor and newspaper articles.
There is possibility that these things may
already have done much to lessen the conf
dence OF the country in the legislative as
well as the other departments of the govern
ment, while Congress should not make as
saults on individuals in public and private
life. The powers and duties of each branch
OF the government are plainly set forth in
the Constitution. The departments are in.
dependent the one of another, except when
by the Constitution they are declared other,
wise. The President may be impeached.
The House is the sole power of impeach-
ment, and the Senate the power to try it.
There is no other mode by which the House
can infiict punishment except by impeaeh-
ment. He could be impeached for abuses
under the Constitution, but could not be
punished for disorderly conduct, as could
member of the House. This body has re-
peatedly decided that censure or disappro-
baton is punishment. To arraign high
officer on vague and indefinite charges, is a
revolving outrage, and will not be counte.
nanced even by vindictive partisans. If the
resolutions do not look to impeachment,
what was their object? If they contained
specific charges instead of vain insinuations,
inquiry would be proper, and no objections
would have been interposed. If, as has
been charged, money was used for corrupt
purposes in any State, the State itself must
redress the wrong. 1t was not in the power
OF the House to do so, nor could it delegate
its authority to any other body. There
could in this investigation be intended moth
ing but discreditable party scheme to &C.
complish partisan purposes. The position
taken by the President is right against the
assault on the great principle established by
the administration of Justice"
vIO nf <ho
mittee, will read his views tomorrow.
Mr.. Hickman submitted the motion, that
the reports be printed and further consider
alton be postponed till to morrow week.
Pending which the House adjourned.
WASHINGTON, April 10.
SENATE.-Mr. Sumner presented the me-
mortal Of Mr.. Sanborn, of Concord, Massa-
chusetts, in regard to the gross attempt to
kidnap him by persons claiming to act I'M
der the authority of the United States. Mr..
Sumner narrated the circumstance attend
ing the capture of Sanborn, and his subse-
quent release, and said the act was conspic>
uous both as regards the man against whom
the act was directed, and the place where it
occurred. Mr.. Sanborn was quiet gentle
man of excellent fame as a scholar, and of
pure life. This was the man who was
seized. This attempt was made at Concord,
where seizure was once before attempted,
which ended in the revolution of these
States. The Senate owed something to its
own character, and should wash its hands
of this transaction. He moved the refer
ence of the memorial to the judiciary COM
mittee. '- .a+. 1851
Mr.. Mason said this man Sanborn was
shown to be either in correspondence with
the man who was hung at Harper's Ferry
as traitor and murderer, or with some of
his friends. He had, therefore, been sum-
moned by the committee of the Senate to
testify. He replied, refusing to come, on
the ground that he feared personal violence.
A warrant was then issued against him, and
the Sergeant at Arms sent deputies to ar
rest him, and who did so, but be was res
cued by a mob, and afterwards discharged
by Justice Shaw upon writ of ha6eas
corpus. ...-
Mr.. Sanborn's memorial was then read.
He claims that he has rightfully resisted the
summons of the Senate complains of his
unwarranted arrest, and the brutality at.
tending it and asks redress at the hands
OF the Senate.
Mr.. Sumner wished to correct one state
ment which fell from the Senator from Vir>
ginia. Mr.. Sanborn was taken from the