The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-03-30


goyernmen By combination wise
or ~ TO K, "a re ~,
rrs.nen has failed reused compel ne Of
/ copline myself exclusvey TO these two branches Of
the resouton because the portions OF IL which fol
low relate TO alleged abuses in tho Post Office navy yards
public buildings and other public works OF the United
States In such cases inquiries arc highly proper 10
themselves and belong equally TO the Senate nnd House.
to enable them 70 discover and provide appropriate legs
lstive remedies for abuses which be ascertain
ed Although the terms OF the latter portion Of the reso
luton extremely vsgue and general my sole pur
pose in sdvertng TO them 1t present 10 make the broad
dial clauses Of this resolution The House Of Represent
tves possess power under the constitution The
first or accusaory portion Of the resolution except as an
and cheerfuly admitted IL solely in reference TIE
nlst or mpeaching power that propose to make few
Except this single case the constitution has invested
the House Of Representatives with power jarisdic
ton, supremacy whatever over the President In al
other respects be 70 quite independent Of them az they
Of him. AS co ordinate branch Of the government
he their equal Indeed. he s the only direct represen
tave on earth Of the people Of all and each OF the
reign States To them and them alone is he responsible
whilst acting within the sphere OF his constitutional duty
and not in any TO the House Of Representatives
The people have thought proper 70 invest him with the
most honorable, responsible and dignifed office in the
world and the Individual however unworthy, now hold
ing this exalted position will take care, 30 far as 10 hn
in his person. but shah pass 70 his unimpared
BY the adoption Of dangerous precedent he Will de-
iend them to the last extremity against any unooSsts
the constitutional right Of the Executive, and render him
e any human power G saIsp. shs|,eyes ~ ,
upon him large measure Of legislative discretion No
ing the people Of the United States. unicss shall pass
after his veto by majority Of two thirds Of both Houses
In his legislative capacity be might, in common with the
senate and the House. institute inquiry 70 ascertain any
facts which ought 10 influence his Judgment in approving
brapr n
government ought 10 inspire the conduct Of all Of them,
IN their relations towards each other, with mutual for
beaance and respect at least each has right demand
justice Of the other The cause Of complaint that the
constitutional rights and immunes Of the Executive have
an impeachment Of the President before the Senate on
charges preferred and prosecuted against him by the
s s moi ony s ro
the Presidential Office would be involved, but what ID Of
infinitely greater importance 70 himself, his character,
rstions, might possibly be tarnshed. The dis
grace cast upon him would In some degree
people who elected him. Hence the precautions adopted
BY the constitution 70 secure fair trial On such trial
doubtless because the trainers of the constitution believed
II TO be posable that the Vice President might be biased
nom ONCE The same shall devoivs on The vice President
The preliminary proceedings In the House, in case Of
sed
OF equal justice both to the accused and to the people,
The precedent established in the case Of Judge Peck Of
time In that case Luke Edward Iawiess the accuser
presented o petition 10 the House, in which he set
forth infinitely and specifically his Of com
plaint He prayed that the conduct and proceedings
o By Sd % such
decision Ade thereon as to your wisdom and justice shall
seem proper.
Such has ever been deemed the appropriate committee
70 MAZE similar inyestjcstop Il Is standing commit
tee supposed 70 be appointed without reference any
af n a he
Of The most eminent lawyers In the House from different
portions of the Union whose acquaintance with judicial
proceedpes. and whose habits Of investigation qualify
them peculiarly for the task No tribunal from their po
sion and character could in the nature Of things be
were selected by the committee itself with q view TO
ascertain the truth Of the charge They crossex
| q manner as to afford him reasonable cause Of
| plant. q 80. ~. - ~
Importance in view Of the consultation and principles Of
eternal justice, what has the President Of the
vess Mr.. John covode' representative from Pennsyi
vana H the accuser Of the President Instead OF follow
is o esse Of
| the accusation to the Committee on Judiciary, the
House have made my accuser OF my judges.
To make accuser the judge violation of the princi-
ples OF Justice and condemned by the prac
ce Of all civilized nations Every freeman revolt
ut spch spectacle. to appear before Mr. Covode,
either personally or By substitute cross examine the
witnesses which may produce before himself sustain
poor boon may be denied TO the President And what s
The nature Of the which his resolution pro-
poses 70 nstuteY It s as vague and general ss the Eng
ish language affords words in which to make It. The
Committee s to inquire not into any specific charge
charges whether the President has Dy "money pat
ropaee or other improper meaus sought 10 pfuepcev
not The action OF any Individual member or members Of
Congress but he action Of the entire body of Congress
itself or any committee thereof The President might
| have had some plmmcripg Of the nature OF the
| offences TO be Investigated had his accueer
poined TO the act or acts OF Congress which he sought to
mass or N oefea bv the empovment of money patron
| age or other improper meansn But the accass,on Is
bounded by no such ms IL extends TO the whole circle
of eesaton 10 for or AGAINST the passage
of any law sppertanine 70 the rights Of any State or
| Territory And what law does not appertau to the
rights Of some STATE or Territory And what or
has the President failed to executep These might easily
have been pointed out had any such existed
Had Mr. LAvless aeKed an inquiry to be made by the