The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-04-06
PRESIDENTS SPECIAL MESSAGE.

10 EFe HOUSE or RepFeSe2tItlDeS
Alter delay which has afforded ne ample
time for reflection ana after much and careful
delberatioD, find myself constrained By an
imperious sense of duty, as a coordinate branch
of the Federal Government, TO protest against
the first two clauses of the first resolution aGop-
ted by the House of Representatives, on the 9th
instant, and Published in the Congressional
Globe on the succeeding day. These clauses
are in the following words "Resolved that
committee oil five members be appointed by the
Speaker, Tor the purpose l6rst1 Of invest lgatIng
whether the President Of the United States, or
any other officer Of The Government, has by
money, patronage, or other improper means,
sought 10 influence the action of Congress, or
any committee thereof, for or against the pas
sage OF any law a7Pertaining 10 the rights of
any,State or Territory: (and 2d) al8o to inquire
and investigate whether any officer or officers OF
the Government have, by combination or other
wise, prevented or defeated, or attempted to
prevent or defeat, the execution of any law or
laws now upon the statute book, and whether
the President has failed or refused to compel the
execution of any law thereof"
con6ne myself exclusively to these two
branches OF the resolution because the portions
I of it which follow relate to alleged abuses in
ther public works of the United STATES fn
such cases inquiries are highly proper in them
selves, and belong equally TO The Senate and the
House, as incident 10 their legislative duties
and being necessary to enable them TO discover
and 10 provide the appropriate legislative rem
edles Tor any abuses which may be ascertalned.
Although the terms OF the latter portion of the
resolution are extremely vague and general, vet
my sole purpose in adverting 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 pos
sess no power under the Constitution over the
first or accusatory portion of the resolution, ex-
cept as an impeachiny body; whilst over the
| last, in common with The Senate, their author
lty as legislative body is fully and cheerfully
admitted.
| II is solely in reference 10 the first or I'M
peaching power that l propose to make few
observations Except IN this single case, The
Constitution has invested the House of Repre-
| sentatives with 10 power, nor Jurisdiction, no
supremacy whatever over The President. Il.
all other respects he isquite as independeot of
them as they are OF hIm. As coordinate
branch Of the Government, he is their equal.
Indeed, he IS the only direct representative on
earth OF the people OF all and each OF the SOW
rreign States To them and to them alone. is
he responsible whilst acting within the sphere
OF his constitutional duty and not 10 any mau-
ner to the House OF Representatives. The peo-
pie have thought proper TO invest him with the
most honorable, responsible, and dignfsd office
| In the world; and the individual, however un-
worthy, now holding this exalted position, will
take care, so tar as in him lies, that their rights
and prerogatives shall never be violated in his
person but shall pass to his successors unim-
paired by the adoption OF dangerous precedent
He will defend them 10 the last extremity a.
gaInst any unconstitutional attempt, come from
what quarter It may, 10 ab.ldge the constitn-
tional rights Of the Executive, and render him
subservlent to any human power except them
selves.
The people have not confined the President
10 the exercise Of executive duties. They have
also conferred upon him large measure Of le-
gslatIve discretion. No bill can become law
without his approval as representing the peo-
pie OF the United States, unless it shall pass af-
ter his veto by majority Of two-ihirds of both
houses. In his legislative capacity, he might,
IN common with the Senate and the House. IN
Slltute an inquiry to ascertain any facts which
ought to influence his judgment in approving
or vetoing any bill.
This participation in the performance of Ie-
gislative duties between the coordinate branch
es OF the Government ought 10 inspire the con-
duct OF all of them, in their relations towards
each other, with mutal forbearance and respect.
At least each has rightto demand Justice from
the other. The cause of complaint is that the
constitutional rights and mmunities of the Ex-
ecutve have been violated in the person of the
President.
The trial of an impeachment of the Presi-
dent before the Senate on charges preferred and
prosecuted against him by the House of Repre-