The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-03-06

ton. Beyond that he has no more pow
er or right to judge of their validity than
the humblest citizen in the land his
constitutional duty is to see that they
are executed. The other doctrine would
be utterly subversive of our whole con-
stitutional system and frame of Govern
ment. That the President verify be-
lieves that this law is in derogation Of
the Constitution, | am not prepared to
deny But is that any legal excuse to
him for violating it? 1t is settled
principle, not only in civil, but also in
criminal Jurisprudence, that no one can
be excused from the legal consequences
of his acts on account of his ignorance
OF the law. With far less reason can
any one claim exemption who has the
fullest knowledge. but arrogates for his
own constitutional learning and judg
ment superiority and domination over
that of two-thirds of all the Representa-
tives of the people in both branches of
Congress, acting in views and upon con-
sderation of his constitutional objec-
tons.
1t il now to be decided whether the
people, by their Representatives in Con-
gress, are TO make and establish the
laws by which this country is to be gov
erned, or whether they may be set at
naught and defied by the Chief Magis-
trate of the nation. feel that, as one
of the Representatives OF the people,
there il but one course open. The only
practicable and dignified course in such
d case, against such an offender, is to
present him before the high tribunal
provided for in the Constitution for trial
No one will vote for this resolution with
a deeper feeling of regret and SORROW
than myself. II | saw any other prac-
ticable way of asserting and protecting
what | regard a. the rightful powers and
prerogatives Of Congress, a. the Repre-
sentatives Of the people, the same rea-
sons which induced me to vote against
the former articles would weigh with
me now. But ! do not, and | feel that
in voting against the pending resolution
/ should surrender that which, IA "A Re-
preventative of the people, | have no
right to urrender-the right of the peo-
Pile, through their Representatives, To
establish the laws for this nation. In
this vote | feel sure that am not actua-
ted by any partisan feeling or motive
unworthy of judicial consideration !
have regretted that the debate has as
sumed, to any extent, political or par
vote shall be to present the President
for trial at the bar of the Senate for thi.
alleged violation of the law, cannot
doubt that every member of that body
will endeavor TO divest himself of all
partisan and political bias, and bring to
the consideration of the case all the iu-
dicial fairness, which any tribunal could
exercise. Then, of course the validity
of the law which the President is charg-
ed with violating will be open to consid-
Grafton as before any other judicial tri-
bunal. II it should prove to be but
case of mistaken construction, so as To
destroy any unlawful intent, that de-
fence will be available. II the result
shall be a judicial trial before the Senate.
| trust ii will be remembered that though
the legal result may be final there upon
their judgment and record, in higher
sense there is an appeal to the public
judgment, not only of this nation. but
to the whole world; and that for their
own credit, now and in history it be-
hooves them that they see TO it that
their judgment rest upon such firm foun-
dations that it may stand the test Of
the public judgment both now and here
after.