Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-04-06

eratlons, might possibly be furnished. : The
disgrace cast upon him would, in some de-
gree, be reflected upon the character Of the
American people who elected him. Hence
the precautions adopted by the Constitution
to secure fair trial On such a trial it de.
ciares that "the Chief Justice shall preside. .
! This was doubtless because the trainers Of
the Constitution believed it to be possible
that the Vice President might be biased by
| the fact that ''in case Of the removal Of the
President from Office, the same shall deyolve
on the Vice President"
The preliminary proceedings in the House
! in the case Of charges which may involve
Impeachment have been well and wisely set
! lid by long practice UPON principles Of e..
I3as justice, both - rho accused and ts-sae
people Tie precedent established Id the
case Of Judge Peck, of Missouri, in 1881,
after careful review Of all former precedents
will !! venture to predict. stand the test Of
time. In that case Luke Edward Lawess,
the accuser presented a petition to the House
in which he set forth infinitely and specincal-
lly his causes Of complaint. He prayed
''that the conduct and proceedings in this
behalf Of said Judge Peck may be inquired
into by your honorable body, and such de-
cision made thereon as to your wisdom and
Justice shall seem proper" This petition
was referred to the Judiciary committee
Such has ever been deemed the appropriate
committee to make similar Investigations
1t is a standing committee supposed to be
appointed without reference to any special
case, and at all time is presumed to be COM
posed of the most eminent lawyers in the
House 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 char
acter, could,in tie nature of things be more
impartial. In the case Of Judge Peck the
witnesses were selected by the committee it
! self, with view to ascertain the truth Of
the charge. They were cross-examined by
him, and everything was conducted in such
a manner 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 the principles Of eternal justice
in what manner has the President of the u
nited States been treated by the House oil
! Representatives Mr.. John Covode, rep
resentatives from Pennsylvania, Is the ac-
cuser Of the President Instead of follow
Jog the wise precedents Of former times, and
especially that III the case Of Judge Peck,
aud referring the accusation TO the commit
tee on the judiciary, the House have made
my accuser one of my judges.
70 make the aecuser the judge is a VIC
| .lation of the principl Of universal justice.
| ;spd is condemned By tie practice of all civ.
I Hized nationa Every freeman ..iast revnll
at such spectacle. | am to appear before
Mr.. Covode, either personally or by sub
stitute, TO cross-examille the witnesses which
he may produce before himself to sustain
his own accusations against me; and per-
maps this poor boon may be denied to the
President
And what is Tie rature of the investiga
ton which his resolution proposes to insti-
tute? It is as vague ard 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
whether the President has, by money.
patronage, or other improper means, sought
to influence" not the action ofany indiyidu-
al member or members Of Congress, but
"the action" of the entire body ''of Con-
gress" ITSELF cor any committee thereof
The President might have mad some glim-
mering of the nature of the ofense to be in
vestigated had bis aecusor pointed 20 the act
or acts Of Cohgress which he sought to pass
OR to defeat by the employ nient OF money,
patronage, or other improper means ,, But
the accusation is bounded by no such limits
1t extends to the whole circle of legislation;
to interference "for OF againt the passage
Of any law appertaining to the rights Of any
State or Territory" And what law does
not appertain to tie rights Of some State or
Territory? And what law or laws has the
President failed to execute 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 single vote in that body in ia
vor of the inquiry
Since the time cf the Star Chamber and
Of general warrants there has been no such
proceedings in England.
The House of Representatives,, the high
impeaching power of the country, without
consenting to hear word Of explanation,
have endorsed this accusation against the
President and made itthair own act. They
even refused member to inquire Of the
Presidents accuser what were the specific
charges against him Thus in this rrelimi-
nary accusation of high crimes and misde-
meanors" againt coordinate branch of the
government, under the impoaching power,
the House refuse to hear a single suggestion
even in regard to the correct mode Of pro-
ceeding; but, without a moments delay pas
sed the accusatory, resolutions, Under the
pressure Of the previous question.
La the institution of a prosecution for any
offenpe against the most humble citizen.
and I claim for myself no greater rights than
he eDjoys-the Constitution of the United
States and of the several States require that
he shall be informed. in tie very beginning
Of the nature and cause Of the accusation a.
gainst him, in order to enable him to trepare
for his de ense. There are other principles,
which / might enamerate, not less sacred,
L. IL y