Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-04-04

We publish below the Message Of Presloent Du-
chanan sent to the House Of Representatives in re-
ply to the factious, bitter unscsupuious and unjust
charges preferred against him by the black Eepubs'
cans Of that body. Comment on such document
is unnecessary 1t speaks for ITSELF 1t is worthy
Of the patriotic and gallant old man who has given
nearly all his days to his country, and who stands
now the great bulwark against the onward progress
of treason and fanaticism. The people sustained
JACKSON, and the people will sustain BUCHANAN:
To the House Of Representatives:
After delay which has afforded me ample time
for reflection. and after much and careful delbera-
ton, I find myself constrained by an imperlous
sense of duty, as coordinate branch of the Fed>
eral Government, to protest against the first two
clauses of the first resolution adopted by the House
of Representatives on the 9TH instant, and publish
ed in the Congressional Globe on the succeeding
day. These clauses are in the following words
"Resolvcd that a committee of five members lie APP
pointed by the Speaker, for the purpose (frsD of
investigating whether the President of the United
States, or any other officer of the Government has,
by money, patronage or other improper means,
sought to influence the action of Congress, or any
committee thereof for against the passage of any
law appertaining to the rights of any State or Ter
ritory land 2d) "also, to inquire into and investi-
gate whether any officer or officers of the Govern
ment have, by combination or otherwise, prevented
or defeated or attempted to prevent defeat, the
execution of any law or laws now upon the statute
book and whether the President has failed or rus-
ed to compel the execution of any law thereof"
conine myself exclusively to these two branches
of the resontion because the portions of it which
follow relate to alleged abuses in post offices navy
yards public buildings, and other public works of
the United States. In such cases inquiries are high
ly proper in themselves, and belong equally to the
Senate ard the House, as incident to their egisla-
tive duties, and being necessary to enable them to
discover and provide the appropriate Legislative rem
edes for any abuses which may be ascertained Al
though the terms. of the latter portion of the reso
luton are extremely vague and general yet my sole
purpose in advertng to them at present is to mark
the broad line of distinction between the accusatory
and the remedial clauses of this resolution. The
House OF Representatives possesses no power under
the Constitution over the first or accuMtory portion
of the resolution, except as an impeaching body
whilst over the last, IN common with the Senate,
their authority as a Legislative body is fully and
cheerfully admitted.
1t is solely in reference to the first or impeaching
power that | propose to make few observations.
Except in this single case the Constitution has in
vested the House of Representatives with power,
no jurisdiction, no supremacy whatever over the
President. In all other respects he is quite nde
pendent of them as they are Of him. As co-ordi-
nate branch of the Government he is their equal.
Indeed he is the only direct representative earth
of the people of all and each of the sovereign States
To them, and to them alone, is he responsible whilst
acting within the sphere of his constitutional duty
and not in any manner to the House of Representa-
tives. The people have thought proper to invest
him with the most honorable, responsible, and dig
nifed Office in the world and the individual, how
ever unworthy, now holding this exalted position,
will take care, far IN him lies that their rights
and Irerogatives shall never be violated in his per-
son hut shall pass to his successors unimpaired by
the adoption of dangerous precedent. He will de-
fend them to the last extremity against any
stitutiona attempt, come from hat quarter it may,
to abrdge the constitutional rights of the Executive
and render him subservient to any human power
except themselves.
The people have not confined the President to the
exercise of Executive duties. They have also con-
ferred upon him large measure of legislative dis
erection. No bill can become law without his ap-
proval as representing the people Of the United
States, unless it shall pass after his veto by ma
jority of twothirds Of both houses In his legsla-
tive capacity, he might, in common with the Senate
and the House. institute inquiry to ascertain any
facts which ought to influence his judgment in ap-
proving or vetoing any BILL
This participation in the performance of legsla-
Government ought to inspire the conduct of all of
them in their relations towards each othnr, with mu-
tual forbearance and respect. At leaSVeach has a
right to demand justice from the other. The cause
of complaint is, that the constitutional rights and
immunities of the Executive have been violated in
the person of the President.
The trial of an impeachment of the President be-
fore the Senate charges preferred and prosecuted
against him by the House of Representatives would
be an Imposing spectacle for the world In the re-
suit not only his removal from the Presidential of.
flee would be involved, but, what is OF infinitely
greater importance to himself his character both in
the eyes of the present and future generations,
might possibly be furnished. The disgrace cast
upon him, would, in some degree, he 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 that 1.-THE Chief Justice shall preside "
This was doubtless because the trainers of the Con-
sttution believed it to be possible that the Vice
of the removal of the President from office" "the
same shall devolve on the Vice President"
The preliminary proceedings in the House, in the
case of charges which may involve impeachment,
have been well and wisely settled by long practice
upon principles of equal Justice both to the accused
and to the people. The precedent established in
the case of Judge Peck, of Missouri, in 1881, after
a careful review of all former precedents, will,
venture to predict stand the test of time. In that
case Luke Edward Lawless, the accuser presented
a petition to the House, in which he set forth mi
nutely and specifically his causes of complaint He
prayed THAT the conduct and proceedings in this
behalf of said Judge Peck may be inquired into by
your honorable body, and such decision made there
on as to your wisdom and justice shall seem pro
per-" This petition was referred to the Judiciary
Committee Such has ever been deemed the appro
pirate committee to make similar Investigations
1t is standing committee supposed to be appointed
| without reference to any special casc and at al
times is presumed to be composed of the most emf
nent lawyers in the House from different portions