The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-04-11

sumed 10 be composed Of the most eminent
laWyers in the House from different portions
of Tie un,on, whose acquaintance with
Judicial proceedings and whose habits OF m
,estigatiou qualify them peculiarly for the
task. No tribunal, from their position and
character, could, 10 the nature Of things, be
more impartial. In the case of Judge Peck
the witnesses were selected BY the commit
tee itself, with view to ascertain the truth
| Of the charge. They we're cross examined /
by him, aud everything was conducted IN
such a manner as to aiiard him no reasonable t
cause Of complaint.
In view Of this precedent and, what i Of
tar greater importance, in view OF the Con-
situation and the principles oil eternal JUS.
tice. in what manner has the President oil
1.-The United States been treated by the House
Hi Representatives Mr.. John Covode, a
Representative lrUm Pennsylvania, is the &C
lcuser of the President Instead ii follow
; ing the wise presidents Of former times,
and especially that in the case of Judge
. Peck, and relercin. the accusation to the
Committee on tie Judiciary, the House have
D made my accu>er one OF my judges.
! To make the accuser the judge Is vio-
/ lation oil the principles Of universal justice,
and is condemned by the practice OF all
civilized nations. Every freeman must re.
volt al saeh spectacle. l am to appear
D before Mr.. Coyode, either personally or BY
a substitute, 10 crOss.examine the witnesses
which he may pruduce before himself to sus,
c tain his own accusations against me; and
e perhaps even this poor boon may be denied
e 10 the President.
= And what is the nature Of the lnyestisa-
i. ton which his resolution proposes to instl-
9 tutei Ii is as vague and general as the
a English language affords words IN which TO
j make IT, The committee is to inquire, not
l. into any specific charge or charges, but
ii whether the President has. by money, pa
=. tronage, or other improper means, sought To
20 influence" not the action Of any individual
II member nr members Of Congress. but " the
e action " OF the entire body "of Congress /"
e itself, 'nr any committee thereof" The
r. President might have had sumo glimmerlng
4 Of the nature of the offence TO be invests
IN gated had his accuser painted TO the act OF
in acts Of Congress which he sousht To pass OF
as to defeat By the employment ol "money,
J. patronage, or other improper means" But
the accusation il bounded by no such limits
A. II extends To the whole circle Of legislation
" to interference for or against the passage
le of any law appertaing to the rights OF any
T. State or Territory" And what law doe,
h, not appertain TO the rights of some State OF
1. Territory /: Aud what law or laws has the
n President failed to execute: These might
o. have easily have been painted out had am
is such existed.
ct Had Me-. Lawless asked an inquiry TO b,
al made by the House whether Judge Peck, II
IN, general terms, had not violated his JudIcIa
it duties. without the specification OF any par
lal ticular act, do not believe there wOul.
Of have been single vote 10 that body IN faye
.ht Of the inquiry.
lie, Since the time Of the Star Chamber and Q
d general warrants there has been no such pri
Nv ceeding in England.
re, The House Of Representatives. the hig
nd impeaching power Of the country. withou
lis conseRting to hear word Of explanation
n have endorsed this accusation against III
us President, AMI made il their own act. The.
lst even refused 10 permit member TO inquir
at Of tie Presidents aecuseg what were til
10 specific charges against him. Thus in thl
X preliminary accusation of thigh crimes an
nv misdemeanors against a coordinate branc
Of the Government, under the impeachis
81 power, the House refused to hear a slngi
e. suggestion. even IN regard 70 the corree
&c mode Of proceeding; but. without mo
Dill ment's delay, passed the accusaiory resOu
as iions under the pressure Of The previou
e, question.
III. La the institution II prosecution Tor an
his offence against the most humble citizen
on and | clam for myself no greater right
an than he enjsys-the Consultation Of the Uni
TO ted States and Of the several States requir
10. that hs shall be informed, il the very begin
ming, ii tie nature and cause Of the accuse
Of tion against hin, in order to enable him
ale prepare for his defence. There are Othe
IN. principles. which might eaumeraie, not u.
re. sacred. presenting an Impenetrable shield /
or. protect every citizen falsely charged with
5 criminal offence. These have been violate
he 10 the prosecution instituted By the llous
nal 81 Representatives against tie ExecBtiy
ave brancH 81 tie government. shall the Pres
ut. dent alone be deprived IL the protection
81. these great principles which prevail 10 ever
rel land where fay u liberty penetraies II
ii gloom II dcspOtism: Shall the Executis
&c. alone be deprived &c rights which all Ii
nly fellow citizen. enjoy: The wh0le prOcee,
lice ing against him justihes the fears Of thu,
ely wise aid great men mho, before the Const
ter, tuition Vas adopted by Tie States, appr,
IRE hended that tie tendency 81 The Gpvrrnmei
ed vas to the agsIahdizement Of the Lsgislati,
me al the expense Of the Executive and Judici
d Departments.
i'm. again declare, emp'iaiiealIy. that mat
Jn- this protest for 40 reason personal To myself
d and do IL with perfect respect lor the floai
vail Of Representative, u which had the hon,
tie Of serving ss a member Tor i've successi'
be terms. | have lived long in this gOodly lam
be snd have enjoyed al tie Offices and homo
re. which ny country could bestow. Amid :
the ihe political storms through which ha'
:" passed, The present Is tie first attempt wbic
Ise, Ia, ever been made, 10 nv kn0 ledge.
m a..ail nv personal Of official integrity 81
"a. this q. the time i. approaching when sha
u voluntarily retire irDm the service Of u