Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-04-13

law appertaining to the rights of auy State or
territory? And what laws has the President
failed to executel" 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 judicial duties,
without the specification of any particular act,
do not believe there would have been a sin
gle vote in that body in favor of the inquiry.
Since the time of the Star Chamber, aud Of
general warrants, there has been no such pro-
ceeding in England. The House of Repre-
sentatives, the high impeaching power of the
country, without consenting to bear word Of
explanation, have endorsed this accusation
against the President, and made it their own
act. They even refused to permit a member
to inquire of the Presidents accuser, what
were the specific charges against him. Thus,
IN this preliminary accusation of "high crimes
and misdemeanors" against coordinate
branch of the government, under the impeaeh~
ing power, the House refused TO hear single
suggestion, even in regard to the correct mode
Gf proceeding, but, without moments delay,
passed the accusatory resolution under the
pressure of the previous question.
In the institution of prosecution for any
offence against the most humble citizen aud
l claim for myself no greater rights than he
enjoys-the Constitution of the u. s. and of
the several States require that he shall be in
formed, in the very beginning. of the nature
aud cause Of the accusation against him, ID Or
der TO prepare for his aefcncc. There arc
other principles which might enumerate, not
less sacred, presenting an impenetrablc shield
to protect every citizen falsely charged with a
criminal offence. These have been violated in
the prosecution instituted by the House of
Representatives against the executive branch
of the government. Shall the President alone
be deprived of the protection of these great
principles, which prevail in every land where a
ray of liberty penetrates tie gloom of despot-
ism? Shall the Executive alone be deprived
of rights which all his fellow citizens enjay?-
The whole proceeding against him justiGes the
fears of those vice and great men who, be-
fore the Constitution was adopted BY the
States, apprehended that the tendency of the
government vas 20 the aggrandizemens Of the
judicial departments.
| again declare enphaticalIy, that / make
this protest for no reason personal to myself,
aud do it with perfect respect for the House
of Representatives, in which had the honor of
serving as member for FIVE successive terms.
have lived long in this goodly land, aud have
enjoyed all the offices and honors which my
country could bestow. Amid all the political
storms through which have passed, the pres
ent is the Grst attempt which has ever been made
to my knowledge, to assaii my personal or Off
cial integrity, and this as the time IS approach
ing when | shall voluntarily retire from tbe SER
vice of my country. feel proudly conscious
that there is no public act of my life which will
not bear the stTictcst scrutiny. / DEFY all In
vesigation. Nothing but the basest perjury
can sully my good name. do not fear even
this, because cherish an humble confidence
that the gracious Being who has hitherto de-
tended and protected me against the shafts of
falsehood and malice, will not desert me now,
when have become old and grey yheaded. | can
declare before God and my country that no hu-
man being, with an exception scarcely worthy
of notice, bas, at any period of my life, dared
to approach me with corrupt or dishonorable
proposition; and until the recent developments,
it had never entered into my head that any per-
son, even il the storm of exasperated political
excitement, would charge me, in tho most re-
mote degree, with having made such a PROPOSE
tion to any human being. | may now, however,
exclaim, in the language of my first and great
est predecessor, that s'I have been abused" in
such exaggerated and indecent terms as could
scarcely be applied to Nero, to notorious
defaulter, or even to a common pickpocket.
I do therefore, for the reasons stated and in
the name Of the people Of the several States,
solemnly protest against these proceedings of
the House of Representatives-beca they
are in violation of the rights of coordinate
executive branch of the government, and sub
versive of its constitutional independence; be-
cause they are calculated to foster band of
interested parasites and iDformers, ever ready,
for their own advantage, to swear before ex-
parte committees to pretended private converse
tions between the President and themselves
incapable, from their nature, of being disproved
thus furnishing material for harrassing him, de-
grading him, in the eyes of the country, aud
eventually, should he be a weak or timid man,
rendering him subseryient 10 appropriateness.
In order to avoid such prosecutions and annoy
ances, because they tend to destroy that har-
monious action for the common good which
ought to be maintained, and which sincerely
desire to cherish between coordinate branches
of the government; and finally, because, if un-
resisted they would establish precedent dam
gerous ana embarrassing to all my successors,
to whatever political party they might be attach
ed.
..tSigned) JANE BUCHANAN.
Washington, March 28, 1860.
DEBATE UPON TEE MESSAGE.
Mr.. Sherman, of Ohlo,ssaid the President
has made, for the first time, an issue with this
House on most important power. He was
willing TO give to the communication the con-
siderasion which its gravity demands. He was
willing that the House should 60 into committee,
and consider whether they have the power to
investigate anything done in the executive
branch of the government.