Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-05-11

the President demonstrated. Here the inter
position comes to prevent a., Investigation.
The President ostecms il "a violation Of
the principles of universal justice" that the
member moving the resolution should have
been appointed one Of the committee provid-
ed for by it. His ten years Of service as
component Of this body, Of which he reminds
us, not to speak Of his protractcd Senatorial
career, ought TO have enabled him to call to
mind the prcccdonts of Congress in such ca
scs. This is a new and startling objection,
condcmning, as IL docs, in terms of severe
rcproach, Practice in legislation, co-cXtcn-
svo with our national existence. Certainly
it has been the practice to appoint the mover
of a special inquiry chairman of the commit
tee raised. Mr.. Gushing, in his "Law and
Practice says son the occasion of the APP
pointment to prepare articles of impeachment
against Lord Melville which had been order
ed on the motion Of Mr.. Whitebrcad, that
gentleman was first appointed ono OF the COM
mittee raised. A reason for this course is
doubtless to be found 10 the presumption that
thcpcrsou proposing examination has grounds
90 believe it important, and is, on that account,
the best qualified TO conduct the proceeding.
The President likewise disapprovos, in
terms Of severity, Of the phraseology and
scope Of the resolution. His expression is
at is as vague and general as the English
language affords words in which TO make it,
If it be true, as before urged that there is
general right TO inquire into the conduct of
private citizens and public officers, which may
or may not look to accusation and trial then
the remark sinks TO a cayil. Under such cir
cumstances it is not necessary to appriso the
individual upon whom the inquiry bears, of
either the subject or object of inquiry. Tho
first opportunity for him to require notice is
in the legal proceeding which j, to end in his
acquittal or condemnation. What would be
thought of a rule requiring even prosecutor
to define his charge, and frame his indictment,
without preliminary proceedings, or oppor-
tunity to inform himself as TO its true char
actor. a bare suspicion would scarcely BE
regarded defensive prudence. And in the
case of an officer controlling millions of pat
ronngc, and an influence penetrating every
city. town and hamlet OF a vast country, il
would bo unsafe to assume chat intlrmer4 and
witnesses would volunteer against him. cs-
pecially as tayorites and bcneiciarics would
be the most likely TO possess the knowledge
needed in the ascertainmcnt of tho truth
For Congress TO reach the conclusion 90
which the President would lead them, would
mcnts were obsolete and that executive
officers had the immunity Of perfect irrospon-
sibiIitv
lndistinctness and uncertainty must ncces-
sarily prcccdo research. If il were otherwise
all investigation would be rendered useless.
As far as bounds may be set for Investigation
the resolution in question will compare favor
ably with that introduced into the Senate by
the Investigation Of Harpers Ferry This
will be readily admitted from a comparison
of the two. The following is the resolution
last referred to, passed by the Senate Beccm-
Der ] +, 1859, under which the mover was ap-
pointed chairman Of the committee contem-
plated by it, and testimony is now being
taken:
"Res0'r.d, That committee be appointed
TO inquire into the facts attending the late in
vasion and seizure of the armory and arsenal
of the United States at lIarper's Ferry, in
Virginia, by a band Of armed men, and re
port
Whether the same was attended by armed
resistance 20 the authorities and public force
of the United States, and by the murder of
any Of the citizens Of Virginia, or of any
troops sont there to protect tho public prop
erty;
Whether such invasion and seizure was
made in color of any organization intended to
subvcrt the government of any of the States
of the Union what was the character and
extent Of such organization, and whether any
citizens of the United States not present were
implicated therein, or accessory thereto, by
contributions of money, arms, munitions, or
otherwise:
What was the character and extent of the
military equipment in the hands or under the
control Of said armed band and where and
/ how and when the same was obtained and
transported to the place so invaded;
That said committee report whether any
and what legislation may, in their opinion, be
necessary on the part of the United States for
the future preservation of the peace of the
country, or for the safety of the public pro-
perty. and that said committee have power TO
send for persons and papers"
Could there well be a moro limtloss field
for experiment; 1t covers every foot Of the
country, if not the earth, and lays open every
act and motive Of every citizen of the United
| States to analysis, comment and exposure --
/ Il is not deemed necessary to extend remark,
as it is sufficient for the argument to pro-
pound the question, Where is to be found the
doctrine Of Jurisprudence, or Justice, or pro-
prety, which subjects tho everyday life of ey-
cry merchant, farmer, artisan and hboror, to
such a test, and protect their servant the
President, from it
Article , section Of the Constitution de-
olarcs "tho executive power shall be vested in
the President Of the United States Of Ameri-
ca There is but one executive responsible
ity as there is but one legislative head, and
one legislative responsibility. The President
admits the propriety of inquiry by the Senate
or tho House into the conduct Of his subordi-
mates, but denies that his liability is as great
as theirs. The accepted teachings of the cx-
ecutiye judicial and legislative branches of
the Government are the opposite of this
President Jackson, in his message Of April
4 81, 1884, to the Senate, explanatory of his
protest Of the 18th OF April, Of the same year,
/ says "Nor do | claim the right in any man
nor to supervise or interfere with the persons
/ intrusted with such property or treasure (the
/ public money and property Of the United
/ States, unless ho be an officer whose ap-
| pointment is, under the Constitution aud laws
dcyolyed upon the President alone, or in con
junction with the Senate, and for whose con-
duct he is oonstitutionally responsible"
President Polk Of whose Cabinet Mr.. Blu
] al. ,fr Ct