The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-04-05

full deliberation, find myself constrained BY
an Inc perious sense of duty coordinate
branch Of the Federal Government. TO pro-
test against the two first clauses of the first
resolution adopted ty the House of Represent
ratives on the 9Th inst f, and published In the
Globe on the succeeding day
The clauses are in the following words:
First. Resolved, That Committee OF FIVE
members be appointed by the Speaker. for
the purpose of investigating whether the
President of the United States. or any OIL
ficer of the Government, has. by money.
patronage or other improper means, sought to
influence the passage OF any law appertain-
ing to the nights Of any State OF Territory
and
Second, "Also to inquire into and invesu- /
gate whether any officer or officers OF the
Government has, by combination or other
wise, prevented or attempted TO prevent or
defeat the execution of any law or Laws, now
upon the statute book, or whether the Pres.
ident has failed or refused to compel the ex-
scution of any law thereof"
II confine myself exclusively 10 these two
branches of the resolution, because the por-
tons Of it which follow, relate to alleged
abuses in the Post Office. Navy Yards, Pub
Buildings. and other Public Works Of the
United States.
'In such cases inquiries are highly proper
in themselves, and belong equally to the Sen
ate and House, as incident TO their legislative
duty. and being necessary to enable them to
discover and provide appropriate legislative
remedies for any abuses which may be as
certained. Although the terms OF the latter
portion of the resolution are extremely vague
and general. yet my sole purpose in advert
ing TO them at present is to make the broad
line of distinction between the accusatory
and remedial clauses of this resolution.
'.The House of Representatives possess no
power, under the Constitution, over the first,
or accusatory position of the resolution, ex-
cept as an impeaching body; whilst over the
last in common with tie Senate. their au-
thority as a legislative body is fully and cheer
fully admitted. Il is solely in reference to
the first, or impeaching power, that propose
TO make few observations. Except in this
single case, the Constitution has invested the
House of Representatives with no power, no
jurisdiction, no supremacy whatever over the
President In all other respects he is quite
as independent of them as they are of him
As coordinate branch of the Government,
he is their equal; indeed. he is the only d.
! rect representative on earth Of the people oil
all and each of the sovereign States.
4 ITO them and them alone is he responsible,
=
tutional duty, and not in any manner to the
House of Representatives. The people have
thought proper to invest him with the most
honorable, responsible and dignifed oficein
the world, and the individual, however UNI
worthy, now holding the exalted position,
will take care SO far as in him lies. that then
rights and perogaives shall never be violated
in his person, but shall pass to his successors
unimpaired by the adoption Of dangerous
precedent. He will defend them to the last
extremely against any unconstitutional at
tempt, come from what quarter it may, to
abridge the constitutional rights Of the Exec
u,ive, and render him subservient 10 any hui
man power except themselves.
I 1.-THE people have not confined the Presi
dent TO exercise the Executive duties; they
have also conferred on him large measure
of legislative discretion. No bill can become
law without his approval, as representing
the people of the United States, unless il
shall pass after his veto by majority of two
thirds of both Houses In his legislative
capacity he might. in common with the Sen
ate and House, institute inquiry to ascertain
any facts which are 10 influence his judgment
4 in approving or vetoing any BILL
"This participating in the performance oil
legislative duties between co ordinate branch
es Of the Government, ought to inspire the
conduct of all OF them, in their relations to.
wards each other, with mutual forbearance
! and respect: at least each has right to de,
maud Justice Of the other.
7 THE cause of complaint is that the consti
tutional rights and immunties of the Execu.
tive have been violated in the person Of the
President.
The trial OF an impeachment the Pres.
ident, before the Senate, on charges prefer
ed against him by the House OF Representa-.
tives, would be an imposing spectacle for the
world. In the result, not only his removal
from the Presidential office would be involved
but what is of infinitely greater importance
to himself, his character, both in the eyes OF
the present and of future generations, NIGH,
possibly be furnished.
THE disgrace cast upon him would in
some degree be reflected upon the character
of the American people, who elected him
Hence the precautions adopted by the Con-
stitution TO secure fair trial. On such a
trial it declares tina, the Chief Justice shall
eside This was doubtless because the
/ trainers of the Constitution believed il to be
possible that the Vice President might be
biased by the fact that in case of the removal
of the President from office, the same shall
devolve upon the Vice President
1.-The preliminary proceedings in the
| House. Ia case of charges which may involve
! impeachment. have been we'll and wisely set
tied by long practice upon principles of equal
! Justice both to the accused and to the peo-
/ pie. The precedent established in the case
! Of Judge Peck, of Missouri, in 1881, after a
careful review of all the former presidents,
will l venture TO predict, stand the test of
time. In that case, Luke Edward Lawless,
the accuser. presented apetition to the House
in which he set forth infinitely and specific
ally his causes Of complaint He prayed
that 1.-THE conduct and proceedings in the be-
half Of the said Judge Peck may be inquired
into by your honorable body, and such decis-
ion made thereof AS to your wisdom and JUS
| tee shall seem proper
| This petition was referred 10 the Judic-
iary Committee. Such has ever been deem
| ed the annrnnriate Committee 10 make a