The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1860-04-25

negatives shall never be violatsd- .. q,
person, but shall pass 10 his SUCCESSORS
unimpaired BY the adoption ola danger
GUS precedent. He will defend them to |.
the last extremity against any unconstl-
tutianal attempt, come from what quarter
liz may, 10 abridge the observation-disclosures
Iof the Executive, and render him subser-
Went to any human power except them /,
selves
The people have not confined the Presl-
dent to exercise the Executive duties
/ they have also conferred on him large
measure oflegislative discretion. No bull
| can become law without his approval,
as representing the people Of the United
States, unless it shall pass after his veto
by a majority d two-thiids Of both Houses.
/ In his legislative capacity he might, in
common with the Senate aud House, IN
.sti,nte inquiry to ascertain any facts
winch are to influence his Judgment 10 ap-
proving or yetoiag any bill.
/ This participating IN the performance
Of legislative duties between coordinate
braches Of tile. Government, ought g in.
spire the conduct Of all Of them, IN their
relations towards each other, with mutual
forbearance and respects; at least each
has a right to demand Justice Of the other,
The cause Of complaint is that the con-
stitutional rights aid innuuities Of the
Executive lave been violated in the per-
son Of the President.
The trial Of an impeachment Of the
, President, before the Senate, on charges
preferred against him BY the House OF
Representatives, would be an imposing
spectacle for the world. In the result, not
, only his removal from the Presidential
8 Office would be involved, but what is 81
! infinitely greater Importance to himself
:. his character, both in the eyes of the pre-
!, sent aud Of future generations, might pos
! sibly be furnished.
! The disgrace cast upon him would il
] some degree de reflected upon the charac
ter Of the American people, who electee
him. Hence the precautions adopted b,
the Constitution to secure a fair trial. 0,
q such q trial it declares that the Chief jus
! tice shall preside. This was donbties
il because the trainers Of the Constitutio
y believed til be possible that the Vic
y President might be biased BY the fae
J, that in case Of the removal Of tile Pres
t. dent from Office, the same shall devol'
upon the Vice President.
n The preliminary proceedings in Il
= House, in case Of charges which may y
e. yolye impeachment, have been well a.
" wisely settled by long practice, upon PR
or cipIes Of equal justice, both to the accuse
fe- and to the people. The precfdent esta
!" lished in the case Of Judg. Peck, Of All
y. souri, in 1881 aftersa careful review Of a
- the former pr,cedents, will, ! venture
8, predict, stand the test Of time. In tn
~ case, Luke Edward Lawless, the accuse
=. presented a petition to the House in Whit
he set forth infinitely and specifically h
: causes Of complaint. He prayed TIL
. atl.e condnct and proceedings in the B
~ half Of the said Judge Peck may be
I, CURED into b. understandable body, al
!. such decision made thereof as TO yo
y. wisdom and justice shall seem proper
Ia This petition was referred to the .ud
i. larry Committee. Such has ever be-
nj deemed the appropriate Committee
- make q similar investigation.
Is. tits u standing CoT'mittes, supposed
70. be appointed without reference to a
special cass, and at alt tines i pitesnnl
Is g..
,as to be composed of the most eminent Il
ar yers IN The House frsun different porto
-. Of the Union. whose acquaintance "
u. judicial proceeding ard whose habits
he investigation qualify then peculiarly
va the talk. No tribunal from their rositi
Il and character could be more impartial
IN. In the case If Judge Peck, the with
,ke SEES were selected by the Committee its'
,,a will, d view Il, ascertain the truth OF
the charges. They wele crsss-'xamined
er him, and every thing was condncted
ver such 4 manner AZ to afford hun no rcss
cts able canse for complaint
,pv In view Of this precedent, and, what
Of Of far greater Importance, in view OF ]
I'D Constitution and the principles OF eter
on justice, 10 what monner has the Presid
s. =. 4