Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-03-05

in the consideration Of this question far
higher and more important consequences
than by whom the duties of War secre-
tary shall be- performed, ! have high
personal regard tor the Secretary q War ;
IN common with all nay eomtrymen |
honor him far his inyalua' o services dur
ing the late rebellion; should regret for
any cause 10 SEQ his place filled with an
other.
But all this become, insignificant when
We look at the principle involved in this
violation Of the law by the President. Ii
is now 20 be decided whether the people,
by their representatives in Congress, are
"a make and establish the laws by which
this country is 10 be- governed, OF whether
they may BE- set az l,aGght aud doiiea by
the Chief Magistrate al the nation,
feel that, rs one Of the representatives Of
the people, there is but one course open,
The only practicable and diguihed course
in such case, against such an offender,
is Ia present him before the high tribunal
provided i'm in the Constitution for trial
No one will vote for thi, resolution with
q deeper feeling Of regret and sorrow than
mysclt II | saw any other practicable
way Of asserting and protecting what
regard as the rightiul powers and prerog'
utNes Of Congress, as tho representatives,
Of the people, the same reasons which in
duecd me 10 vote against the former arti-
cles would weigh with me now But
do not, and feel that in voting against the
pending resolution should surrender that
which, as a representative Of the people,
! have no right 20 surrender the right OF
the people, through their representatives,
To establish the laws for this nation, Il,
this vote feel sure that | am not actu-
atod by any partisan feeling or any mo-
tive unworthy Of Judicial consideration.
| have regretted that the debate has as
,umcd, 10 any extent, a political or parti-
san aspect
Much has been said as 10 the political
consequences and the effect upon the pco-
pie of putting the President upon trial
for this violation of law, | confess
have spent very little time in considera.
tions of that character, but have very
little fear of i'll consequences from that
quarter. The people OF the United States,
rs AN aggregate, are an intelligent and
law-,biding people. Ii man is fairly
prosecuted and fairly tried, whether Tn
result be conviction or acquittal, the pco-
pie acquieSce. They viii not tamely sub
NIT to see prosecution or injustice undel
the forms and names OF law; and upon
any party who should attempt such trial
purity measure for party purposes
would fall heavy weight of popular in
dignation, But if the people are satisfied
that law and justice are fairly admins
tered feel not the slightest doubt but
they will acquiesce in the result as readily
rs in the case of the smallest offensc on
the mmhlest offender Ii the result ui
this days vote shall be to present the
President for trial at the bar of the SEN
ate for this alleged violation of the law
cannot doubt that every member Of that
body will endeavor to diyest himself OF
all partisan and political bias, and bring
to the consideration of the case all tht
judicial fairness which any tribunal
could exercise. Then, OF course, the VA.
lidity of the law which the President i,
charged with violating will be!open TO con-
sideration as before any other judicial tri
bunal. If it should prove to be but q
case of mistaken construction, so as To
destroy any unlawful intent, that de.
Tense will be there properly available Il
the result shall be a judicial trial before
the Senate | trust it viii be remembered
that though the legal result will 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
bchooves them that they see to it that
the Judgment stand upon such firm
that ii may stand the test OF
the public Judgment both now and here
after