Year: 1860

souri,, III 1881, after careful review Of al
| the former precedents, [ will venture tc
predict, will stand the test of time. In that
case Luke Edward LAWYERS, the accuser
presented a petition to the House in which
he set forth minutely and specifically his
causes for complaint. He prayed that the
conduct and proceedings in behalf OF the
said Judge Peck may be inquired into by
your honorable body aud such decision
made thereof as to your wisdom and JUS
tide shall seem proper.


His petition was referred to tie junicia-
rg committee; such las ever been deemed
/ the appropriate committee TO make sim
liar INVESTIGATION. It is standing com
mjttee supposed to be appointed without
reference to any special case, and at all
times is presumed to be composed Of the
most eminent lawyers in the House, from
different portions Of the Union, whose ac
Quaintance with judicial proceedings and
whose habits Of Investigation qualify them
peculiarly for tie task no tribunal from
their position and character could, in the
nature Of things, be more impartial. II
the case Of Judge Peck the witnesses were
selected by the committee itself with q
view to ascertain tie truth Of the charg-
es. They were cross examined by him
and everything was conducted in such a
manner as to afford him no reasonable
cause for complaint. In view Of this pre-
cedent, and what is Of far greater impor-
tance, in view of .hs Constitution and the
princi 'es of eternal justice, in what man
her has the President Of the United States
been treated by the House Of Nopresenta
tiyes?


Mr. John Covode, a representative from
Penn, IS an acauser Of tbe President. In
s.ead of following the wise precedents of
former times, and especially that N the
case Of Judge Peek, aud referring the &C
cusation to tie Committee on judiciary,
the House has made my accuser one Of my
judges. To make the accuser the Judge,
IS a violation os the principles Of eternal
justice, and is condemned bv the practice
ot all civilized nations. Every freeman
must revolt at such a speech. | am
to appear before Mr. Covoda, either per-
sonally or by substitute, to cross examine
witnesses, which he may produce before
himself to sustain bis own accusations
against me, and perhaps even this poor
boon may be denied 70 the President.


And what is the nature Of tL.o inyesti-
cation which his resolution proposes to in
stitute! 1t is as vague and general rs
the English language affords words with
which to make it. The committee is to
inquire not into any specific charges, but
whether the President has. by money,
patronage, or other improper means,
sought to influence, not the action Of any
individual member or members of Con
gress, but the action Of the entire body Of
Congress itself, or any committee thereof
The President might have had some GIim-
meriug Of the nature Of the offence to be
investigated, had his accusers pointed to
the act or acts Of Congress which lie
sought to pass or defeat by the employ
ment Of money, patronage, or other i'm
proper means. But the accusation is
bounded by no such limits.


1t extends to the whole circle or legisIa-
ton; to interference for or against the
pass Sc Of any law appertaining to the
rights Of any State or Territory ; and what
law does not appertain to the rights OF
some State or Territory? and what law or
laws has the President failed to execute
They might easily have been pointed out
had any existed. Had Mr.. Lawless asked
an inquiry 20 he made By the House
whether Judge Peck in general terms had
not violated his judicial duty, without
specifying any particular act, do not be
iieye there would have been a single vote
in that body in favor Of the inquiry
Since the time of tho Star Chamber and OF
General Warrants, there had been no such
proceedings in England.


The House Representatives the high
impeaching power Of the country, without
consenhng to hear word Of explanation
have endorsed this accusation against the
President and made it their own act
They even refuse to permit member to
inquire Of the Presidents accusers what
we're the specific charges against him, thus
in this preliminary accusation Of high cri
mes and misdemeanors against a coordinate
branch Of the government under the i'm
peacAng power Of the House refused to
hear single suggestion, even in regard to
the correct mode OF proceeding and without
a minutes delay passed an accusatory res.
olulion under pressure Of the President.
question.


IL the institution Of a prosecution for
any offence against the most humble citi-
zen, and | claim for myself no greater
rights than he enjoys, tue constitution O.
tie L. ). and Of the several States require
that he shall be informed in the very be,
ginning Of the nature and cause Of the ac-
cusation against him, in order to enable
him to prepare for his defence. There are
other principles which | might enumerate
not less sacred. preventing an imPenetra-
bic shield to protec. every citizen falsely
charged with a criminal offence. These
nave been violated in the prosecution in
stituted by the House Of Representatives
against the Executive branch Of this gov
eminent.


Shall the President alone lie deprived
Of the protection Of those great principles
which prevails in every land where a ray
Of liberty renetrates the gloom Of despot>
ism Shall the Executive alone be de
prived Of the rights which all his fellow
citizens enjoy: The whole proceeding