Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-07-05
Protest of the President Against Proceedings of the

present divided condition OF the Democratic party.
Protest of the President Against Proceedings of the
Covode Committee.
The following Message from the President of the
United States was laid before the House of Representa-
tves previous to the adjournment of Congress
| WASHINGTON, June %, 1860.
| To the House Of Representatives
message to the House of Representatives of the
20th March last soemnly protested against the creation
of committee at the head Of which placed
had by money patronage, or other improper means,
sought influence the action of Congress- any commit
tanning to the rights Of any State or Territory" protest
ed against this because it destitute of specification
dent for his defence because deprived him of
the constitutional guards which, in common with every
of the United States he possesses for bis protection
because assasd his constitutional independence
| co ordinate branch of the Government
There enlightened justice well beautiful SYM
metry in every part of the Constitution This cOnspcu
ousy manifested in regard to mpeachments The House
ment the Senate the sole power to try all impeach-
ments ;" and the impeachabe offences " treason,
bribery, other high crimes msdema anOrs." The
practice the House from the earliest times had
cordance with its own dignity the rights OF the accused
each judicial investigation which might lead mpeach
specific charges always preferred, the accused
had opportunity of examining the witnesses, and
placed in full possession of the precise of the
offence which he had meet. An impartial and elevated
standing committee charged with this investigation
upon which member inspired with the ancient of
honor and justice would have served had be expressed
opinion the Until the
it deemed proper transform the
the judge, and to confer upon him the selection of his
committee.
The charges made against me- in vague and general terms
of such false and arocous character that did
entertain moments apprehension for the result They
abhorrent to every principle insted into from
youth and every practice OF life and did not believe
it possible that the existed who would basely per-
lure himself the truth of any accuse
TONS In this conviction am informed have not been
mistaken.
my protest. therefore. truly and emphatcaly
declared that was made for no reason personal to myself
but because the proceedings of the House in violation
the rights of the coordinate executive branch of the Gov
eminent subVersve its constitutional independence and
to all my successors Notwithstanding all
this if the committee had not transcribed the authority
conferred upon by the resolution of the House of Repre-
senatives, broad and general as this should have
manned silent upon the subject. What charge that
and without any whatever the resolution under
which they appointed have pursued not
tending to degrade the Presidential Office itself such
degree to render it unworthy of the acceptance of
man of honor or principle.
The resolution of the House, far accusatory of
President is confined to an inquiry whether he had used
corrupt improper to influence the action of Con
gress any of its committees legislative pend
ing before them. Nothing MORE nothing less have not
the or IN any other mode
the resolution, charging the President with violation
duty in failing some law laws. This branch
of the resolution therefore, out OF the question By what
authority then have the committee undertaken to inves
gate the of the President regard to the Convention
winch framed the Lecompton constitution! BY what au
thory have they undertaken to into foreign rela
lions OF asSalng OF the
given by the Secretary to our Minister
in Mexico relative the Tehauntepec By what au
thory have they inquired into the removal from
Office and this from the parties themselves removed with
view prejudice his character Notwithstanding this power
Of removal belongs exclusively to the President under the
l89 and has accordng since been exercised
There is IN the resolution no preex OF authority for the
Post Office blanks is it to be supposed that the House.
asked %opa nave granted sucn an authority because this
mees in the Senate and the other in the House.
notwithstanding this absolute want OF power the committee
rushed into this investigation IN advance of all other sub
| jects.
The committee proceeded for months from I'D March,
1861 to examine par and without any notice to myself
into every sub which could possibly affect my character
Interested and vndictye witnesses summoned and
amined before Them and the fist and only information of
their testimony which, in almost every instance received
from the of such portions Of it
1t matered not that these statements were as have
learned dsproVed by the most respectable witnesses who
happened to be on The spot The telegraph silent
pectng these contradictions 1t committee in
regard to the testimony IN my defence but public
regard to all the testimony which could by possibility reflect
my character The poison left to produce its effect
withheld
In their examinations the committee violated the most
sacred ana ncuoIable condolences existing among
Private correspondence which truly honorable would
entertain distant thought of dvuging was
dragged to light Different persons in official and con6den
tal relations with myself and with whom it supposed
might have held conversations the revelation of which would
do me injury were examined Even members of the Senate
and members of my Cabinet both my constitutional
advisers, called upon testify the purpose of
discovering something if possible to my discredit.
The distribution OF the patronage of the Government
far the most diSagreeabe duty the President Anpi
cans are so numerous and their applications
with such eagernesa by their friends both in and out
Congress- that the selection of any desirable office
gives offence to many Disappointed applicants removed
ocers and those who for any cause real imaginary
had become hostile to the Administration presented them
selves we're invited by appear before the
committee These are the most dangerous witnesses Even
with the best intentions they Influenced by prejudice
and disappointment that they almost inevitably dscoor
truth They swear to their version of private
saons with the President without the possibility of contra
dlcton His lips are sealed and he left at their mercy
he cannot as coordinate branch of the Government ap
pear before committee of investigation contradict the
oans OF such Witnesses Every coward knows that he
employ insulting language against the President with i'm
punly and every false pejudiced witness can attempt
out the fear of contradiction '
mus Ior months whilst doing my best at one end of the
avenue 70 perform my high and responsible duties to the
country has there been committee of the House of