Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-04-06

on tue JuuiClat ~ laO AAeaS~
my accuser one of my judges. To make
the accuser the judge, is a violation of
the principles of universal justice, and IS
condemned by tue practice Of all civilized
nations. Every freeman must revolt at
such a spectacle. ! am to appear before
Mr.. Covode, either personally or by
substitute, to cross-examine the witnesses
which he may produce before himself to
sustain his own accusations against me,
and perhaps even this poor boon may be
denied to the President.
And that is the nature of the invest
igaiions which his resolution proposes to
institute? 1t is as vague and general |
as the English language affords words in |
which to make it. The committee is TO
inquire, not into any specific charge or
charges, but whether the President has,
by money, patronage, or any other i'm
proper means, sought TO influence, not
the action of any individual member or
members of Congress, but the action Of
the entire body OF Congress itself or any
committee thereof. The President might
have had some glimmering of the nature
of the offense to be investigated had his
accuser pointed TO the acts of Congress
which he sought to pursue to defeat by
employment of money, patronage or 9th
er improper means ; but the accusation
is bounded by no such limits. 1t extends
to the whole circle of legislation, to in
reference for or against the passage of
any law appertaining to the rights of any
State or Territory-and what law does
not appertain to the rights of some State
or Territory-and what law or laws has
the President failed to execute? 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 du-
ties, without any particular act, do not
believe there could have been a single
vote in that body in favor of the inquiry.
Since the time Of the Star Chamber and
of general warrants there has been no
such proceedings in England. The
House of Representatives, the high i'm
peaching power of this country, without
consenting to hear word of explana-
ton, have endorsed this accusation
against the President and made it their
own act. They even refuse to permit a
member to inquire of the Presidents ac-
cuser what were the specific charges
against him. Thus in this preliminary
t accusation of high crimes and misde-
5 the government, under the impeaching
: power, the House refused to hear sim
f gle suggestion even in regard to the cor
t rect mode of proceeding, but without a
t moments delay passed accusatory reso-
: ons,under the pressure of the previous
: question.
In the institution of a prosecution for
any offence, against the most humble
It citizen, land claim for myself no great
: er rights than he enjoys,) the Constita-
e ton of the United States and of the sew
o eral States require that he shall be in
It formed in the very beginning of the ma
e ture and cause Of the accusations against
e him, in order to enable him to prepare
i for his defense.
n do therefore, for the reasons stated
y and in the name of the people Of the sew.
d eral States, protest against these pro-
l. ceedings of the House of Representa-
d tives, because they are in violation of the
s. rights of coordinate Executive branch
Of of the government, and subversiye o
W his constitutional independence be
a. cause they are calculated to foster bant
- of interested parasites and informers
lie ever ready for their own advantage Il
2, swear before exparte committees to pre-
e. tended private conversations between th'
ie President and themselves, incapable
IS from their nature of being disproved
K, thus furnishing material for harrassin
lie him, degrading him in the eyes Of tn
as country, and eventually, should he be
m weak or timid man, rendering him sui
to servient to improper influences in orde
as to avoid such prosecutions and annoy
n ances because they tend to destroy tbs
- harmonious action for the common goo
to which ought to be maintained, and whie
ny / sincerely desiFe.to cherish between til
ed coordinate branches of the government
W. and finally, because if unresisted the
'r- would establish precedent dangerol
ce and embarrassing to all my successor
se to whatever political party they migl
I'm attached
of (Signed4 RnTHANAN