Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1868-03-12

ordinate branches OF the government,
bound by oath to pass upon the con
stitutionality of the law, affirming its
invalidity, and upon the other hand
the legislative branch equally bound
TO obey the organic law, by repassng
the bill, giving it the forms of law and
asserting its constitutiOnality.
The President bound 10 execute the
law sworn TO see that "the laws are
faithfully executed" asserts and be-
licves this law not to be the supreme
ldl0, because not made in pursuance of
the Constitution; whilst Congress
asserts its validity and binding force.
And the question results who shall
settle this conflict of opinion.
The bill having all the forms of law
is to be obeyed or declared invalid.
Shall the President ignore his oath or
recognize its force and test the ques-
tion Z
1t was his clear duty to bring it
before the Courts for settlement, the
law directly affected himself in his
administration of the government and
in making a case for practically ascer-
tanning whether he or Congress was
right, he did what any private citizen
would be entitled to do. For this he
is impeached.
The third article of the Constitu-
ton declares that "the judicial power
shall extend TO all cases in law and
equity arising under this Constitution
and the laws Of the United States"
The jurisdiction of the Supreme
Court seems to be clear. To this tri-
bunal he has appealed for the decision
of the question and you and your par
ty meet his application with sensation
kilograms, threats Of war and revolu-
ton. This is but an attempt TO blind
the people to the real issue. The
simple question is, shall the Constitu-
tion be the supreme law of the land,
or shall law made in violation there
of, override its provisions.
The subject is one OF law alone and
not an appeal to arms.
The Supreme Court is an umpire
fit to settle this question; il is erected
to enforce existing laws and to deter
mine the supremacy Of those which
conflict.
1t is incorruptibe, full of integrity,
above excitement, profound, impartial
and earnest in its investigations; it
brings to the decisions of these great
questions the most calm deliberations,
searching examination and thoughtful
research. A tribunal 90 high, 50 full
Of integrity, so independent should
command public confidence and exact
a willing obedience to its awards.
1t is the handspring of the complex
machinery that protects our liberties,
the very vital essence of government
oflaw. To its decision all will su bmit.
Impeachment will return TO plague
its inventors, it will recol with tire
mendous force upon its originators.
Is shonld do so, for an appeal TO such
a tribunal is the righ. and the privi-
lege of governed and ruler; Of the
humblest citizen rs well as of the
President
The "sober second thought" of the
people, the financial and business in
terests of the nation will unite in con-
demnation of this effort TO impeach
and remove the President for an ap-
peal TO law.
In 1888 and 1884 questions of this
character agitated and convulsed the
country, struggle that seemed TO
rock the nation TO its very centre was
initiated between Jackson, the Presi-
dent, and Congress, upon the question
of rechartering the United States
Bank and removing the deposits.
The Senate of the United States but
q day or two since adopted a resolu-
ton denunoiatory of the President and
asserting that his removal of Stanton
was in derogation of the Constitution
and laws 80 too on the 2Sth day Of
March, 1884, the Senate Of the United
/ States
"Rssoire4, That the President in the late exec
utive proceedings in relation TO the public revenue
has assumed upon himself authority and power
]
derogation Of both"
This attack upon President Jackson,
il will then be seen, is almost similar
in character to that now made upon
President johnson. What was the
result in 1S34l What will be the
result now Then, the issue was
made up aud the President and Con-
gress went to the people upon it, In
tense excitement pervaded the whole
country, just as now, you would rouse
the people by sensation kilograms, ly-
ing dispatches and baseless assertions.
Benton tells of the character of the
excitement in 1884 thus:
"lt will be difficult for the people in
after times TO realize the degree of
excitement, of agitation and commo-
tion, which was produced by this or
ganized attempt to make panic and
distress. The great cities especially
were the scene of connections but lit
tie short of frenzy; public meetings
of thousands, the most innamatory
harangues, cannon firing, great ieasts
-and the members OF Congress who
spoke against the President received
when they travelled with public hon
ors, like eonquering generals return
ing from victorious battle fields-mct
by masses, saluted with acclamations,
escorted by professions, and their
lodgings surrounded by thousands
calling for a view of their persons"
During all the progress of this pro-
ceeding-while a phalanx of orators
and speakers were daily Eliminating
against him--while many hundred
newspapers incessantly assailed him