Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1860-04-13

equal. Indeed, he is the only direct rep
resentative on earth of the people of the
sovereign States. To them, and to them
alone, is he responsible whilst acting with
in the sphere of his constitutional duty
and not in any manner to the House OF
Representatives. The people have thought
proper to invest him with the most hon
orable, responsible, and digniied Office in
the world and the individual, however
unworthy, now holding this exalted posi-
ton, will take care. so far as in him lies,
that their rights and prerogatives shall
never be violated in his person; but shall
pass to his successor unimpaired by the
adoption OF dangerous precedent. He
will etepd sslsesa<-tosetl1e fasr eytrenityy@
against any ynnconstitutionai attempt, come
from what quarter it may, to abridge the
constitutional rights of the Executive, and
render him subservient to any human
power except themselves.
The people have not confined the Pres
ident to the exercise of Executive duties
They have also conferred upon him a large
measure of legislative discretion. No bill
can become law without his approval as
representing the people of tie United
States, unless it shall pass after his veto
by a maj ority of two thirds of both houses.
In his legislative capacity, he might, in
common with the Senate and the House
institute an inquiry to ascertain any facts
which oughtzto in fuence his Judgment in
approving Or vetoing any bill.
This participation in the performance Of
leg'~l"+iun dnties between the coordinate
bri neut, ought to il
sp of them in thei: re-
lat; iher, with mutual
for t. At least each
has Justice from the
9th complaint is, that
the tights and lmmunltles OF
the Exec been violated in the
person OF til Ident.
The trial n impeachment of the
President before the Senate, on charges
preferred and prosecuted against him by
the House OF Representatives, would be
an imposing spectacle for the world. In
the result, not only his removal from the
Presidential Office would be involved, but,
what is Of infinitely greater importanceato
himself, his character, both IN the eyes OF
the present and future generations, might
possibly be tarnished. The disgrace cast
upon him, would, in some degree, be re-
fected upon the character OF the Ameri-
@st.f,eesp!e @ he elected elected KIN lkiisis the
precautions adopted by the Constitution TO
secure fair trial. On such a trial it de-
clares that ''the Chief Justice shall pre-
side" This was doubtless because the
trainers OF the Constitution believed it TO
be possible that the Vice President might
be biased by the fact that, sin case OF the
removal OF the President from office, 'the
same shall deyolve Oh the Vice Presi-
dent"
The preliminary proceedings in the
House, i'll the case Of charges which may
involve impeachment, have been we'll and
wisely settled by long practice upon prin-
ciples Of equal justice both to the accused
and to the people. The precedent estab-
lished in the case of Judge Peck, OF Mis-
souri,, in 1881, after careful review of all
former psecedents, will, l venture to pre-
dict, stand the test of time. In that case
Luke Edward Lawless, the accuser pre-
sented q petition to the House, in which
he set forth minutely and specifically his
causes Of complaint. He prayed .'that
the conduct and proceedings in this be-
into by your honorable body, and such
and justice shall seem proper" This pc
tition was referred to the Judiciary Com
mittee. Such has ever been deemed the
appropriate committee to make similar in
vestigations. 1t is a standing committee
supposed to be appointed withoutreference
to any special case, and at all times is pre-
sumed to be composed of the most eminent
lawyers in the House from different por-
tons OF the Union, whose acquaintance
with judicial proceedings and whose hab-
its of investigation qualify them peculiar
y for the task. No tribunal, from their
position and character, could, in the ma
ture of things, be more impartial. In the
case Of Judge Peck the with esses were Sc
lected by the committee itself, with view
to ascertain the truth of the charge. They
were cross-examined by him, and every
thing was conducted in such manner as
to afford him no reasonable cause Of com
plant.
In view of this precedent, and, what is
of far greater Importance, in view Of the
Constitution and the principles Of eternal
justice, in what manner has the President
OF the United States been treated by the
House OF Representatives? Mr.. John Co.
vode, representative from Pennsylvania
is the accuser Of the President Instead
of following the wise precedents of former
times, and especially that in the case of
Judge Peck, and referring the accusation
to the Committee on the Judiciary, the
House have made my accuser one of my
judges.
To make the accuser the Judge is vi
olation Of the principles of universal jus
tice, and is condemned by the practice of
all civilized nations. Every free man