The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-04-06

vestigations unlvss they intend to impeach
him. How does Mr.. Buchanan knows that
there is any ground tor impeachment !? and
how is knowledge to be obtained but by in
vestigation?
We forbear further remarks, but will give
instead a portion Of the message. 1t begins
as follows:
After delay which has afforded ample
time for reflection, and after much and care
full deliberaton, find myself constrained BY
an imperative sense of duty, as a coordinate
branch Of the federal government, to protest
against the first two clauses of the first reso-
luton adopted by the House of Representa-
,ives on the 5th inst, and published in the
Congressional Globe on the succeeding day.
(The resolution quoted above.) confne
myself exclusively to these two branches Of
the resolution. because the portions Of it
which follow relate to alleged abuses in the
post Offices, navy yards, public buildings and
other public works of the United States. In
such cases inquiries are highly proper in
themselves, and belong equally to the Senate
and House, and incident to their Legislative
duties, and being necessary to enable them
discover and provide appropriate legislative
remedies for any abuse which may be ascer-
tanned.
Except in this single case, the constitution
has invested the House of Representatives
with no power, no jurisdiction, no supremacy
whatever over the president. In all other
respects he is quite as independent OF them
a. they are Of him. As coordinate branch
of the government he is their equal. Indeed,
he is the only direct representative on earth
of the people, of all and each Of the sove-
reign states. To them and to them alone is
he responsible, whilst acting within the
sphere Of his constitutional duty, and not in
any manner to the House of Representa-
tives. The people have thought proper to
invest him with the most responsible, honor
able and digni6ed Office in the world, and
the individual, however unworthy, holding
this exalted position, will take care, so far as
in him lies, that their rights and prerogatives
shall never be violated in his person, but
shall pass to his successor unimpaired by the
adoption of dangerous precedent. He will
defend them to the last extremity against any
unconstitutional attempt, come from what
quarter it may, TO abridse the constitutional
rights of the executive and render him sub
servient to any human power except them
selves.
The cause of complaint is that the consti
tutional rights and immunities of the execu-
tive have been violated in the person of the
president. The trial and impeachment Of the
president before the Senate on charges pre-
ferred and prosecuted against him by the
House of Representatives would be an i'm
posing spectacle for the world. In the result
not only his removal from the presidential
office would be involved, but, which is of in
tnitely greater importance to himself both
in the eyes of the present and of future gen.
eratious, his reputation might possibly be
furnished. The disgrace cast upon him
would in some degree be reflected upon the
character Of the American people, who cleo
ted him. Hence the precautions adopted by
the constitution to secure a fair trial. On
such trial it declares 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
al Of the president from office, the same shall
devolve upon the vice president. The pre-
liminary proceedings in the House in case Of
charges which may involve impeachment have
been well and wisely settled BY long practice,
upon principles Of equal justice both TO the
accused and to the people. The precedent
established in the case Of Judge Peck Of
Missouri in 1881, after careful review Of
all the former precedents, will, venture to
predict, stand the test of time.
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
United States been treated by the House Of
Representatives Mr.. John Covode, re.
preventative from Pennsylvania, is the sccu-
ser Of the president. Instead of following
the wise presidents of former times, and es.
pecially that in the case Of Judge Peck, and
referring the accusation to the committee or
the judiciary, the House has made my accu'
ser one Of my judges. To make the accusel
the judge is violation Of the
princip pies Of universal justice and i,
condemned by the practice of all civilized
, nations. Every freeman must revolt at such
a spectacle. am to appear before Mr.. Co
vode, either personally or by substitute, te
cross-examine the witnesses which he MAY
produce before himself to sustain his owl
accusations against me, and perhaps ever
these poor Blooms may be denied to the pres
ident. And what is the nature of the inves
tigation which his resolution proposes to in
stitute? 1t is as vague and general as thu
English language affords words in which t
make it. The committee is to inquire no
into any specific charge or charges, bu
whether the president has, by money, patron
, age. or any other improper means, sought t.
influence, not the action Of any individual
member or members of Congress, but tn,
action Of the entire body Of Congress itself
or any committee thereof. The presiden
might have had some glimmering Of the ma
, ture Of the offence to be investigatedhad hi
: accuser pointed to the acts of Congress whicl
:, he sought to promote or defeat by the EN-
l ployment OF money, patronage or other in
i proper means. But the accusation is bound
ed BY no such limits. 1t extends to tn
: whole circle of legislation, to interference 70
or against the passage Of any law appertain
ing to the rights Of any state or territor,
and what law does not appertain to the right
OF some state or territory, anc what law o
, laws has the president failed to execute ?
}; These might easily have been pointed on
had any such existed.
On account Of our limited space we hav
abbreviated the message considerably, b.
: We give enough to show our readers the in
e port of this remarkable document.
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