The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-04-11
Presidents Protest.
TO the Ho,lse OF REPRESENTATIVES

time for reflection, and after mach and CARE
full deliberat0n, | find myself constrained
BY an imperioas sense oil duty, as CO.
ordinate branch OF the Federal Government,
90 protest aga .ast the hrst two clauses Of
the 6rst resolution adopted BY the House Of
Representatives, ON the 5th instant, and
published in. the Congressional Globe on the
succeeding Jsy. These clauses are In the i
following words: " Resolved. that COM
mittee OF tive members be appointed by the
SpeakerA fur the parpose (krsl Of investi- |
eating. whether the President OF the United
stat a. or any other Officer of the Govern |
Ias IL, has, by money, patronage, &c ether I'm
pr sper means, sought 70 iahaence the acton
Of. Congress, or any committee thereof, Tor
or against the passage OF any law appertain-
hg TO the rights Of any State or Territory"
xand Oh Il" also 20 inquire into and inyestl-
gate whether any officer or officers OF the
government have, by combination or other
wise, prevented or defeated, or attempted to
present or defeat, tae execution of any law
III laws now upon the statute book, and
whether the President has failed or refused
10 compel the execution Of any law there
Of"
confne myself exclusively to these two
lions Of il which follaw relate To alleged
abuses in post Offices, navy yards, public
buildings. and other public WORKS OF the
United States. In such cases inquiries are
highly proper in themselves, aud belong
equally to The Senate and TIE House, as incl
dent to their legislative duties. and beiag
necessary to enable them TO discover ana
provide The appropriate legislative remedies
for any abuses which may be ascertalned.
Although the terms of the latter portion OF
the resolution are extremely vague aud gene.
raj, vet nv sole purpose N adserllng g
them at present is TO mark the broad line oi
distinction between the sccusatory and The
remedial clauses Of this resolution. The
House OF Representatives possesses no power
under the Constitution over the FIRST or accn-
satory portion of the resolntion, except as an
impeaching body; whist over the last, III
common with the Senate, their authority a:
Il legislative body i fully and cheerfully ad-
milied.
II is solely in reference 10 the first or i'm
psaehins power that propose TO make lev
observations. Except in this single case, the
Constitution has invested the House Of Re.
representatives. with no power, no jurisdiction,
no supremacy whatever over the President.
In ali other respects be is quite as indepen'
dent Of them a. they are Of him. As co
ordinate branch IL the Government, he i
their equal. Indeed, he is the only dlrec
representative on earth OF the people OF al
and each Of the sovereign States. 10 them
and 10 them alone, is he responsible wiIis
acting within the sphere 1T his constitutions
duty: and not in any manner TO the House q
REPRESENTATIVES. The people have though
praper 10 invest him with the most honorable
responsible, and dignfrd Office IN the world
and the individual. however unworthy, nov
holding this exalted position, will take care
go far as in him lies, that their rights an
Srerogatiyes shall never be violated 40 ~
person but shalt pass 10 hrs successors un
impaired b. the adoption OF dangerou
pfecedent. lie will deiend them To the las
extremity against any unconstitutional al
tempt, come from what quarter II may,
abrldge The constitutional rights d the tx
ecutiye, and render him sB6serylsnt to an
kaman power except themselves.
The people have not confined the Presl
dent 10 the exercise of Executive duties
They have also conferred upon him larg
MEASURE OF legislative discretion. No b.
can become 4 law without his approval a
representing the people Of the United State
unles. K shall pass after his veto by MA
iori,y Of tao.thirds u both houses. In b.
legislative capacity, be might. 10 commo
with the Senate and the House, institute o.
INQUIRY 10 ascertain am facts which ought !
influence his judgment 10 approving o. Set'
ing any bill.
Th,s participation in the performance
evisl.tse duties between the co.orsina'
branches 81 the Government, ought y =
spire the conduct q all Of them IN their q
lstions towards each other, with mutual toi
bearance and respect. 40 least each has
right 10 demand justice from the oiher. ~
cause 81 complaint u. that the constitution
rights aud imm8nities Of the Executive ha'
been ,iolatei 10 the person oi the PreslIen
The trial Of an impeachment o. the Pres
dent bsflre the Senate, ~ charges preierrs
and prosecuted against him by The House
Reore.entatlses, would be an imposing spel
t.e,e (or the world In the result, not on
MS removal from the Presidential OH
would BE involved. but, what y y inhuite
greater Importance to himself, his eharacte
Goth in The eyes 81 The present and iutu
generations, might possibly be tarnIshe
Tie disgrace cast upon him. would. - son
degree. bs reflected upon the character
TIE American people who elected hii
usace The prera1lioa. adopted BY the ca
stitution 10 secure 4 fair trial. Oh such
frisl itdeelatss thal the Chief Justice 80
pres,de.s This was doubtless because I
trainers Of the Constitution believed q 70
possible that tie Vice President might
biased BIZ The lac; that. 10 case 81 the =
moyal 81 tie President from olICs," y
sane hall de,olse On the Vice President.
The preliminary proceedings u The llps,
in the case u charges which may ins"lr @
peaehmeni. have bren well and Wisely x
lied by long practice upon principles
equal Justice both % the accused and to 7
people. The precedent established ~ =
ease Of Judge Peck, of Mi..opri. 10 leg
after 1 careful re,isv of al former 20