Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-04-04
CLEARFIELD, PA, APRIL a, 1850.
PROTEST OF THE PRESIDENT.
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ed letter to the Committee who had invited
him to attend the Centennial Celebration of
the capture Of Fort Duquesne, at Pittsburgh,
in which he deplored ga growing and dan
gerous eyil''-ssthe employment Of money to
carry elections, land feared if it was not spec
dily checked, sswe must end in military des-
potlsm." A few weeks ago Mr.. Covode made
successful motion to have a committee OF
five members appointed to ascertain, among
other things, s.whether the President of the
United States, or any officer Of the govern
ment, has, by money or patronage: or other
improper means, sought to influence the pas
sage of any law, appropriate to the rights of
any State or Territory and second, also to
inquire into and investigate whether any Off
Ger or officers Of the government have by COM
bination or otherwise, prevented or attempted
20 prevent the execution of any law or laws
now upon the statute book, or whether the
President has failed or refused to compel the
execution OF any law thereof" This inquiry
has touched the President in a sore place.
and as last desperate resort, he, who lectu-
red our good people so roundly on the dan
gers of the government going to destruction
in consequence of the corruption OF its officials,
has been compelled, through fears of dis
graceful exposure of his own official conduct,
to protest in q formal message, which he sent
to the House on the 29th March, against the
power of Congress to thus arraign him He
pleads the independent position of the Execu-
tive Office in the same strain that tyrants of
old contended for the kipgly prerogative. He
says:
s'Although the terms of the latter portion of
the resolution are extremely vague and gener-
al, yet my sole purpose in adverting to them
at present, is to make the broad line OF dis
tinction between the accusatory and remedial
clauses of this resolution. The House of
Representatives possesses no power under the
Constitution over the first, or aCcusatory por-
tion of the resolution, except as an impeach-
ing body; whilst over the last, in common with
the Senate their authority legislative body
is fully and cheerfully admitted. 1t is solely
in reference to the first or impeaching power
that | propose to make few observations.
Except in this single case, the constitution has
invested the House of Representatives with
no power, no jurisdiction, no supremacy what
eyer,over the President In all other respects
he is independent of them as they are of
him. AS coordinate branch Of the govern
ment he is their equal. Indeed, he is the on
1y direct representative on earth of the people
OF each of the sovereign States. To them
and them alone is he responsible while acting
within the sphere of his constitutional duty,
and not in any manner to the House of Rep
resentatiyes. The people have thought proper
TO invest him with the most honorable ,respon-
sible, and dignified office in the world .and the
individual, however unworthy, now holding
this exalted position 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 adop-
tion of dangerous precedent. He will de-
fend them to the last extremity against any
unconstitutional attempt, come from what
quarter it may, to abridge the constitutional
rights of the Executive, and render him sub
servient to any human power except them
selves. The people have not confined the
President to the exercise OF the execu-
tive duties. They have also conferred on
him a large measure Of legislative discretion.
No bill can become a law without his approval
as representing the people of the United
States, unless it shall pass after his veto, by a
majority of two-thirds of both Houses. In
his legislative capacity he might, in common
with the Senate and House, institute inquiry
10 ascertain any facts which are to influence
hisjudgment in approving or vetoing any bill
This participation in the performance OF le-
gislatiye duties between coordinate branches
of the government, ought to inspire the con-
duct OF all of them in their relations towards
each other, with mutual forbearance and re-
spect. AT least each has a right to demand
Justice of the other. The cause of complaint
is that the constitutial rights and immunties
of the Executive have been violated in the
person of the President"
An honest and high-minded public function
ary, Srongfully accused of misdemeanor in Of
fee, would trouble himself little about the
points of etiquette or the rights of his accu-
sers to arraign him, but would challenge an
investigation at once of all that he had done in
his official capacity. This, however, is evil
IDENTIFY what Mr.. Buchanan wishes to avoid
He is doubtless afraid of it, though he asserts
that ssnothing but perjury can sully his good
name.''
The President,would have us believe that he
does not shrink from an Investigation. He
says, in his message. 81 again declare emphat-
ically make this protest for no reason per-
sonal to myself, but / do it with perfect res
pect for the House of Representatives, in
which 1 had the honor of serving for five sue
cessive terms.'' This may be so, but it seems
to us that, Instead Of looking after the welfare
of the House, he is, by this sort of subterfuge,
trying to take care of himself.
The sprotest'' concludes as follows
81 may now, however, exclaim in the Ian
gusge of complaint employed 10y my first and
greatest predecessor, that have been abused