Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-27
THE CONGRESS UsURPING THE
BENCH.

Aiit Executive Legislative, anu JuulCia
Neither could perform the duties allotted Il
the other, and were established independent
~ Of each other, and avowedIy as checkt
upon each other. The powers Of each were
restricted by the terms Of the Constitution
The Executive could do nothing without the
authority Of law or Of the Constitution
The Congress was restricted TO Legitimate
subjects and acts Of legislation, conditioned
npon the approval or veto Of the President
The Judiciary were entrusted with the de-
cisions Of legal and constitutional questions,
controlling both the others in all such mat
tiers. Each were endowed with certain
rights and prerogatives with which neither
Of the Others could rightfully interfere
Congress has, however, enlarged its pow
ers, by usurpation, and conferred on one OF
its committees the authority of the Judi
ciary. While the world is wondering why
JEFFERsoN DAVIS is not brought to trial
for his alleged offences, the convocation of
Radicals at the national capitol, denominated
Congress, are actually proceeding with his
trial.
Suppose they convict him of assassination
or treason or other crime, and proceed, with
any power they possess, to execute the death
penalty upon him it is very clear that any
one concerned, either as Congressman, or
witness, or executioner would be guilty,
under the laws of all civilized nations,
Of murder in the first degree, and would
be so pronounced and held in all future
time, throughout the world.
We have no reason TO conclude that such
is the present intention of Congress. The
object is rather to employ this mode, in ad-
dition to others already displayed, to ex-
hibit their sovereign contempt for the
Constitution and laws of the country :;
and to manufacture public sentiment and
excite popular hatred towards Mr.. DAVIS,
and through him towards all those who
sympathized or co-operated with him dur
ing the war, and against all the people of
the Northern States who desire a restoration
Of the Union upon the principles of the
Constitution. 1t is one of the despica-
bic make-shifts, and probably the principal
one, which the fanatical cabal al Washing
ton are using to perpetuate their power.
These proceedings have none of the forms
70 law and are sanctioned by none of the
rulesprescribed for the administration ofius-
tice. Nobody is present; but Congressional
committee and the witnesses they choose to
use for their purposes. OF the character of
these witnesses, we give as an illustration,
the testimony of one DIR. james L. Merritt
which is briefly stated as follows by re-
liable correspondent
Merritt testified that he was present al a meet
ing IN II. Lawrence Hotel. Toronto. Canada,
sometime in February, 1865 ut which there were
ten or fifteen persons in attendance. among them
was Sanders. who, during the meeting referred to,
l. alleged by Merritt 70 have announced to the
company that he had letters from eff. Davis stat
ing that IL Lincoln and Stanton could be got out
of the way, the Confederate Government would
have little trouble IN forcing settlement with
the Federal authorities. Throughout the even
ing spoken Of the conversation upon the couspi-
Tacy plot Is reported 10 have been general but 50
far ~ Merritt was concerned, very vague. Booths
v.
reported 70 have said cOnfdcntially to the wit
ness that the former was deep in the intrigues of
the scheme IL was also suggested that Mr..
j Johnson could be druggpd into intOXicgtion and
then disposed o! by assassination or abduction.
This conversation is all alleged 10 have occurred
M sanders private room at the st. Lawrence llo-
tel. and Merritt asserts that he was approached by
a Colonel Harper, one of the party previously
mentioned, who remarked TO him. IF you don't
hear Of the death Of Lincoln. Stanton, johnson,
and Grant in less than ten days. put me down for
O. witness closes testimony
stating that he afterwards met Booth personally
IN Canada, and saw him often in earnest coniab
with Sanders, and occasionally in the general
meeting room designated in St. Lawrence Hotel.
Though protesting that he was not at all verscd
IN the plans Of the conspiracy himself. Merritt
tcstlHcs actively that efs Davis was in constant
with the others while the affair
was brewing and that no new step was agitated
without duo consultation with the Richmond au-
thorities. With this much the committee sus-
pended the examination of the witness and or
dcrcd his discharge
The same Merritt was a witness in the as
trials Of last June, and was then
charged with being Il wiliul aud deliberate
pcriurer, and his testimony was disregardcd
by the Commission, and he was held by all
just-minGed men as one whose villainy and
were utterly and wholly fathom- !
less. II is such witness, and most proba !
bly, for this very reason, that this Congress
sional lnquisition bring before them TO fur
thcr their aims. They bring him from Can |
ada, and after obtaining the above state |
mcnts send him back on the first express
train. This corrupt scoundrcl had the frank |
to say, while in Washington dan |
cling attendance on this Inquisitorial Com
mittee, to persons outside that he was paid |
,crcH thousand dollars for making the trip to
Ne capital and testJyiHg as ADORE regarding The
Of lHr. Darts and others rih The as
Of the late President
Such are the objects Of this new Judicial
.nquisition set up in the American Congress,
md such are the instruments used to etlec-
uate their designs. Fit be successful, and
f it shall be tolerated by the people, then
mankind will be called upon to begin new
in the dates and history Of des-
'otism, suffering and slavery in the career
# the human race
TIE LEGISLATURE.
The Senate yesterday pronounced the de-
'ision previously arrived at excluding the