The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-08-01
pREsIpENT,s sPEcIAL MEssAGE
10 he House Of Representatives:


the purpose eff investigating whether the Pres
idcnt had "by money, patronage or other i'm
proper means, sought to influence the action o
Congress, or any committee thereof, for or a.
gainst the passage of any law appertaining tC
p the rights of any State or Territory" l pro
tested against this because it was destitute Of
anv specification, because it referred to no par.
tcular act to enable the President to prepare
for his defence, because it deprived him of the
constitutional guards which, in common with
every citizen of the United States, he possesses
for his protection, and because it assailcd his
constitutional independence as coordinate
branch of the Government.
There is an enlightened justice as well as a
beautiful symmetry in every part of the Con
stitution. This is conspicuously manifested in
regard to impeachments The House of Rep
resentatives possesses "the sole power of i'm
peachment;" and the Senate "the sole power
to try all impeachments;" and the impeachable
offences are ''treason, bribery, or other high
crimes or misdemeanors." The practice of the
House from the earliest times had been in &C
cordance with its own dignity, the rights Of the
accused, and the demands Of Justice. At the
commencement of each judicial Investigation
which might lead to an impeachment, specific
charges were always preferred, the accused
had an opportunity Of cross s-examining the
witnesses, and he was placed in full possession
of the e'precise nature of the offence, which he
Z ~.
had to meet. An impartial and elevated stand
ing committee was charged with this investi
Cation, upon which no member inspired with
the ancient sense Of honor and justice would
have served had he ever expressed an opinion
against the accused. Until the present occa-
sion il was never deemed proper to transform
the accuser into the judge, and to confer upon
him the selection Of his own committee.
The charges made against me, in vague and
general terms, were of such false and atrocious
character that did not entertain moments
apprehension for the result The" were abhor-
rent to every principle instied into me rom
my youth, and every practice of my life; and l
did not believe it possible that the man existed
who would SO basely perjure himself as to
swear to the truth of any sucn accusations in
this conviction am informed have not been
mistaken,
In my former protest, therefore, truly and
emphatcally declared that it was made for no
reason personal to myself but becau5e the pre-
ceedings of the House were IN violation OF the
rights Of the co-ordinate executive branch of
49, q of
independence and, if unresisted, would estab-
lish a precedent dangerous and embarrassing to
all my successors Notwithstanding all this, if
the committee had not transcribed the author
ity con erred upon it by the resolution OF the
House of representatives broad and general as
it was, should have remained silent on the
subject. What now charge is, that they have
acted as though they possessed unlimited pow
er, and, wthoptany warrant whatever in the
Resolution under which they were appoin ed.
have pasrsuedaa course not merely at war with
the Constitutional fights Of the Executive, but
tending to degrade the pres idental office itself
TO such degree as to render it unworthy OF
the acceptance of any man Of honor or princi-
pie.
The resolution of the House Of Representa-
tives, so far as it is accusatory of the President
is confined to an inquiry whether he had used
corrupt or improper means to influence the &C
ton of Congress, or any of its committees, on
legislative measures pending before them. No
thing more, nothing less. have not learned
49, - in 9TH do
that the committee have touched the other ac-
cusatory branch Of the resolution, charging the
President with violation of duty in failing to
execute some law or laws. This branch Of the
resolution is, therefore, out Of the question:
BY what authority then, have the committee
undertaken to investigate the course OF the
President in regard to the convention which
framed the Lecompton Constitution? By what
authority have they undertaken to pry into our
foreign relations for the purpose OF assailing
him on account Of the instructions given by the
Secretary Of State to our Minister in Mexico
relative to the Tehuantepec route? BY what
authority have they inquired into the causes of
removal from Office and this from the parties
themselves removed, with a view to prejudice
his character, Notwithstanding this power of
removal belongs to the President exclusively
under the Constitution, was so decided by the
first Congress in the year 1778, and has accor-
dinghy ever since been exercised? There is in
the resolution no pIetext of authority for the
committee to investigate the question of the
printing of the Post Office blanks; nor is it to
be supposed that the House, if asked, would
have granted such an authority, because this
question had been previously committed to two
other committees, one in the Senate and the
other in the House. Notwithstanding this alb
solute want OF power, the committee rushed
into this investigation in advance Of all other
subjects.
The committee proceeded for months from
22d March, 1860, to examine eG paytc, and with
out any notice to myself into every subject
which could possibly affect my character. In
terested and vindictive witnesses were summon
ed before them, and the first and only infor-
nation of their testimony which, in almost
every instance, received, was obtained from
the publication Of such portions of il as could !
injuriously affect myself. in the New York jour
q nails. II mattered not that these Statements
were. SO faras have learned disproved by the
most respectable witnesses that happened to be
n on the spot. The telegraph was silent respect
5ine these contradictions. 1t was secret com
.a;ttan Il, raoard tn the testimony which nouId !