Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-07-11


manner iatectere tnthis case, nor has he IN
any other case Of contract since hare been
IN the Department" The absence of all proof
to sustain this attempt to degrade the Presi-
dent, whilst it manifests the venom of the
shaft aimed at him, has destroyed the vigor
of the blow.
To return after this digresslon Should
the House by the institution ofCovode Com
mittecs, votes of csnsure aud other devices to
harrass the President, reduce him to subser-
vience to their WILL and render him their
creature, then the well ballan ced Government
which our fathers framed will be annihilated.
This conflict has already been commenced in
earnest by the House against the Executive
A bad precedent, rarely if ever, dies. 1t will
l fear, be pursued in the time of my success
sors, no matter what may be their political
character. Should secret committees be ap-
pointed with unlimited authority to range
over all the words and actions, and, if posi-
BILE the very thoughts of the President, with
a view to discover something in his past life
prejudicial to his character from parasites and
informeTs, this would be an ordeal which
scarcely any mere man since the fall can en-
dure. 1t would be to subject him to a reign
of terror from which the stoutest and purest
heart might shrink. 1 have passed trium-
phantly through this ordeal. NV vindication
is complete The committee have reported
no resolution looking to an impeachment
against me; no resolution of censure; not even
a resolution pointing out any abuses in any
of the Executive Departments of the Govern
ment to be corrected by legislation. This is
the highest commendation which could be
bestowed ON the heads of these departments
The sovereign people of the States will, how
ever, [ trust, save my successors, whoever
they may be, from any such ordeal. They
are frank, bold and honest. They detest
delators and informers. L. therefore, in the
name, aud as the representative of this great
people, and standing upon the ramparts of
the Constitution which they '.have ordained
and established, do solemnly protest against
these unprecedented and unconstitutional pro-
ceedings.
There was still another committee raised
by the House Oh the 9th of March last, on
lnotion of Mr. Hoard, to which had not the
slightest objection. The resolution creating
it was confined to specific charges which
have ever since been ready and willing to
meet. have at all times invited and defed
fair investigation upon constitutional princi-
pies [ have received no notice tha: this com
mittee have ever proceeded to the inyestiga-
ton.
Why should the House of Representatives
desire to encroach on the other departments
of the Government? Their rightful powers
are ample for every legitimate purpose. They
are the impeaching body. In their leeIsla-
tive capacity it is their most wise and Who'll
some prerogative to institute rigid examina-
tions into the matter in which all departments
OF the Government are conducted, with a
view to reform abuses, to promote economy,
and to improve every branch of administra-
tion. Should they find reason to believe, in
the course of their examinations, that any
grave offence had been committed By the
President or any officer of the Government
rendering it proper in their judgement to re-
sort to impeachment, their course would be
plain. They would then transfer the question
from their Legislative to their accusatory iu-
risdictlon, and axe care that in all the pre-
liminary judicial proceedings preparatory to
the vote OF articles ofimpeachment, of the accu-
sed should enjoy the benefit of cross-examin
ing the witnesses and all the other safeguards
with which the Constitution surrounds every
American citizen.
If in legislative investigation it should
appear that the public interest required the
removal of any officer of the Government, no
President has ever existed who, after giving
him fair hearing, would hesitate to apply
the remedy.
This | take to be the ancient and we'll es-
tablished practice. An adherence to it will
best promote the harmony and dignity of the
intercourse between the coordinate branches
ofthe Government. and render us all more
respectable both in the eyes of our own coun-
trymen aud of foreign nations
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washington, 22d June, 1860.