The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-06-27

House. asked would have granted such an authority
tv0 oeT comssss one in the senate ana the other i
the Houae Notwithstanding this absolute Of power
the commt.ec rushed into this investigation IN advance
he comn;tsss ,-oossdsd for mouths, fhoa sd March
,sso q snnns expa and without any notice TO my
subject sa SSHa I stSs.s ss'; x ny
mossd and =, Sined before ttem; and the nrst and
only informason Of their ssssimenS w1ica. Y smcsf
every instance, reoeyt vas ILL., snS p@vs
myself in the New York journaS a,slsersd sos tina:
these statements were, r as hsve
BY the most respectable witnesses wno ~ ~ com.
tradictous. 1t was secret committee IN regsTu ~
testimony In my defence but it public N rsgd -
se so s's Wa. Y is
the public mind whilst the antidote was carefully WIN
In their examinations the committee violated the most
sacred and honorable condolences existing among men,
Private correspondence, which truly honorable man
would entertain distant thought 0 diyutg-
ing dragged TO light Different persons in ofhcial
and confidential relations with myself and with whom
supposed might have held conversations, the reve
lation Of which would do injury, were examined.
Even members Of the Senate and members Of my own
Cabinet both my constitutional advisers were called
70 testify for the purpose OF discovering something
possible, TO my discredit.
me distribution Of the patronage Of the government is
by far the most dsageeable duty Of the President APP
picants numerous and their applications press
ed with such eagernees by their friends both In and out
once sives offence s 70 many. Dssppoin,ed Applicants,
removed occrs and those who for any cause, real
imaginary, had become hostile 70 the administration.
presented themselves, invited by summons to
appear before the committee. These the most dan
gerous Witnesses Even with the best intentions they
almost inevitably discoor truth They swear 70 their own
Of private with the President with
and he Is left at their mercy He cannot coordinate
branch of the government appear before commssee Of
investigation contradict the osths Of such witnesses
Every coward knows that he can employ insulting IN
guage against the President with impunity, and evcry
false prejudiced witness attempt TO swear away hs
character before such committee without NE fear OF
contradiction.
Thus for months while doing my best at end of the
avenue 70 perform my high and responsible duties TO the
country has there committee Of the House Of Rep
resentaves in session at the other end OF the avenue
spreading drsgne without the shadow Of authority
from the House, the whole Unon to catch any dis
appointed man willing TO magn my character-and all
this In conclave The Lions mouth at Venice, into
Of a.
tyrannical and odous ii proceeded in such
manner For centuries there has been nothing like
In any civilized country except the revolutionary riDu
nal Of France In the days of Robespierre.
Now, undertake to state and TO prove that should tue
and become precedent future times the balance Of
the constitution will be entirely upset. and there VIII no
hrsSches Of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., executive and
judicial The fears Of the patriots and states
the usurpations Of the legislative on the exc
cutve and judicial branches, will then be realized.
In the g the Si M hs On
q representative republic where the executive mags
tracy carefully limited both in the extent and duration
csed BY an assembly which Is inspired by supposed
influence the people, with an intrepid confidence In
its strength which sufficiently TO feel all
the passions which actuate multitude yet not so hume
to be incapable Of pursuing the objects Of its pas
sons BY means which reason prescribes II against the
people ought TO indulge all their jealousy and
exhaust all their precautions" And Ia the ex-
preesive and pointed language OF Mr.. Jefferson, when
speaking Of the tendency Of the legislative branch 60
TO usurp the rights Of the weaker branches
The concentrating these IN the same bands precisely
Walton that these powers will be exercised by plurality
of hands, and not by single One hundred and Sc
Let those who their eyes the republic of
Venice. AS little will IL avail US that they are chosen
by ourselves elective despotism not the govern
ment we fought for but which should not ouly be
founded on free principles, but In which the powers Of
government should DO so divided and balanced among
several bodies of magstracy that could tran
scend legal limits without being eectuay checked
and controlled by the Others"
Should the proceedings Of the Covode Committee be-
precedent, both the letter and spirit Of the con
stitution will be violated One Of the three massive
columns on which the whole rests viii be
broken down. Instead OF the executive being ordi.
nate II will become subordinate branch Of the govern
menI. The Presidential Office will be dragged into the
dust The House of Representatives will then have
dered executive almost necessarily subscrven
wishes instead Of being independent How II possible
that powers In the state coordinate and inde
pendent Of each other, II the ono ca. an exercises
the power to reprove and 70 censure all the ocih &C
upon cxparic testimony before secret inqustoral
mttee; short to assume general censorship over the
yate life should the President attempt asscr; and
maintain his Independence, future Covode commit
tees may dragon him into submission by collecting th.
hosts Of disappointed once hunters removed officers and
those who desire TO live upon the public treasury,
which follow In the wake OF every administration
they secret conclave viii away his reputation
Under such crcums tances he be a very bold
should he surrender at discretion and consent TO
ercse his authority according 70 the viii Of those invested
several states have elected him 10 highest and
honorable ONCE In the world lie Is their only direct
sentative the government. By their constitution they
have made him commander chief Of their army and
navy. He represents them In their intercourse with
naons vo,nea WIN hs akn snu
savage With the consent OF the Senate he appoints
all the important ocers Of the government He exercises
The veto power that extent controls the legislation
Of Congress For the performance Of these high duties he
responsible TO the people Of the several States and not
shall he surrender these high powers conferred upon
him the representative OF the American people for
their benefit TO the House 70 be exercised under their
Of the United States be denied fair ria
Shall he alone not be Uniformed Of the nature and cause
confronted with the Witnesses against HIM Shall the
House Of Representatives usurpng the powers OF the
Of scce. COMMITTEE Of Of The body where is impossible
he make any defence and then without anordng him
an Opportunity Of being heard sdg ,sS
SS sysS Tor hs .'y same ssss'p TO syssy Judge
q the constitution 8 his terrible sscrss isSasisori.
power dervedf No such express power exists, From
which Of the enumerated powers can II be inerredf II
s true the House cannot pronounce the formal Judgment
against him OF "renova from of1ce but they can BY
their Judgment OF ccnsure aspcrsc his reputation and
thus the extent OF their influence, render the once
contemplate An example is at hand Of the reckless
manner which this power OF be employed
n high party times Inc house, On sscsn a oco'1n,
resolution Of Mr. John sherman declaring that he, In
conjunction with the Secretary Of the Navy 10y re