Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-04-06
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, FRIDAY MORNING,

Constitution believed it to be possible
that the Vice-Prcsident might be biased
by the fact that " in case of the removal
Of the President from office, the same
shall devolve on the Vice. President"
The preliminary proceedings in the
House in the case of charges which may
involve impeachment have been we'll and
wisely settled by long practice upon prin-
clplcs of equal justice both to the &C.
cused and to the people. The precedent
established in the case of Judge Peck, Of
Missouri, in 1881, after careful review
ofall former presidents, will, | venture to
predict, stand the test Of time. In that
case Luke Edward Lawless, the accuser,
presented petition to the House, in
which he set forth infinitely and specific
ally his cause of complaint. lie prayed
that the conduct and proceedings in
this behalf of said Judge Peck may be
inquired into by your honorable body, and
such decision made thereon as to your
wisdom and justice shall seem proper"
This petition was referred to the judi
ciary committee. Such has ever been
deemed the appropriate committee to
make similar investigations. 1t is a
standing committee supposed to be ap-
pointed without reference to any special
case, and at all times is presumed to be
composed of the most eminent lawyers
in the House from different portions of
the Union, whose acquaintance with ju-
dicial proceedings, and whose habits Of
investigation qualify them peculiarly for
the task.
No tribunal, from their position ard
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 view to ascertain
the truth of the charge. They were
cross-examined by him, and everything
was conducted in such manner as to af-
ford him no reasonable cause of COM
plant.
In view Of this precedent, and, whal
is Of far greater importance, in view Of
the constitution and the principles o.
eternal justice, in what manner has the
President of the United States beer
treated by the House of Representatives
Mr.. John Covode, representative from
Pennsylvania, is the accuser Of tue Pres
ident. Instead of following the wis,
precedents efformer times, and especially
that in the case of Judge Peck, and re-
ferring the accusation to the committed
on the judiciary, the House have made
my accuser one of my judges.
To make the accuser the Judge is vi
olation of the principles of universal
justice. and is condemned by the prac.
tice of all civilized nations. Every free.
man must revolt at such spectacle. |
am to appear before Mr.. Coyode, either
personally or by substitute, to cross
examine the witnesses which he may
produce before himself to sustain bis own
accusations against me ; and perhaps this
poor boon may be denied to the Presi-
dent.
And what is the nature of the investi-
cation which bis 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 whether the President has,
by money, patronage or other improp-
er means, sought to influence" not the
action Of any individual member or mem
bers of Congress, but +" the action Of
the entire body "of Congress " itself,
f" or any committee thereof" The Pre-
sident might have had some glimmering
of the nature of the offense to be inves-
tigated had his accuser pointed to the
act or actsof Congress which he sought
to pass or to defeat by the employment
Of "monoy, patronage, or other impro-
per means" Butthe accusation is bounded
by no such limits. 1t extends to the
whole circle Of legislation; to interfer-
ence +" for or against the passage Of any
law appertainipg to the rights Of any
State or Territory" And what law does
not appcriain to the rights Of some State
or Territory? And what law or laws
has the President failed to execute f.
These might easily have been pointed out.
had any such existed.
Had Mr.. Lawless asked an inquiry I,
be made by the House whether judge
Peck. in general terms. had not VIOLATED
his ;nd;c;aI duties without tbe snec;f,
cation Of apv particular act 7 do not he.
lieye there yonld have been n single vol,
in that bodv in favor Of the inou;rv
Since the time Of the Star Chamber