BEDFORD GAZETTE.
ISedfoi'ri, April 6, I^OO.
BTF. Meyers, Editor aad Proprietor
FOR GOVERNOR":
HENRY D. FOSTER,
OP WESTMORELAND COUNTY
RATIFICATION
35® ME E TIN G <33®
A grand Mass Meeting of the Democracy of
Bedford county, will be held at the Court
Honse, in Bedford, on MONDAY EVENING,
APRIL 30th, for the purpose of ratitvimr the
nomination of HON. HENRY D- FOSTER,
and of endorsing and approving the proceedings
of the recent State Convention at Reading.—
Foster m p n, to the rescue I
Bv or hr of the Pem. Co. Com.
O. E. SHANNON, Chairman.
April sth, 1860.
Honey Wanted* *
We musl 3nd i rill have our accounts settled i
up to the time of the dissolution of the late !
firm of Meyers & Benford. We have treated j
car delinquent friends leniently, thus far, but j
thpre is a time when forbearance ceases to be a
virtue. If you cannot pay the whole of your
bill, pay half of it. If you cannot pay half of
it, pay as much asycu can. It you can t pay
at all, let us know, o that we mark you "com
plimentary."
mcIIANA\ CU B will meet at
the Court House, on Saturday Evening, April
7ib. Several addresses may be expect"'!. Ral
ly, Democrats, rally! JOHN H. RCSH,
Bedfoid, Mar. 30th. (President.
THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE-
We ask the attention cf our readers to the
able, manly and statesman-like message of
President BUCHANAN, published elsewhere in
this issue. We ask for it a fair and impartial
consideration at the bands of all who may pe
ruse it. A grave and important question has
called it forth—a question on the settlement
of which may depend the future dignity and
respectability, not only of the Presidential of
fice, but ot our government and nation. It is
limply this: Shall our highest Executive of
ficer, no matter how worthy and venerable, no
matter how honest and upright he may b--, no
matter how close at heart he may have the in- j
tpre.-ts of his count! v, be made the unprotected
target of malignant and vindictive partisans'
and disappointed spoilsmen ? Who doubts that ;
if MR. BUCHANAN had not the r.ervp and
atrength of mind so peculiarly hii own, that
like his lamented predecessors, Harrison and
Taylor, he would have long since succumbed
beneath the onerous duties of his office, made
tenfold more arduous by the harassing and re
vengeful opposition of persona! and political
foes 1 Who doubts that the peace and tran
quility of the nation would have been entirely
undisturbed, if false issues could not have been
raised against the President and if the office
eeeking blood-hounds of the .Opposition, bad
been checked in their attempts to hunt him
down I—True, the official acts of the President
should be amenable to the strictest Mnitiflfl, ;
should be subject to the most searching investi
gation—and so it is. But what we protest a
gainit, and what every impartial mind will at
once concede to be wrong, is the unbridled li
cense given to the enemies of the President, po
litical and personal, fn making vague and ge
neral charges against him, and alter having be
come his accusers, to be also constituted his
judges, and that, too, with no evidence before
them except the inuendoes and ex parte state
ments of witnesses expressly hunted or bought
tip for the occasion. Is such a mode of proce
dure consistent with justice 7 Is such the trial
the laws give to freemen ? No ! The veriest
criminal would not receive such treatment at
our hands. Even John Brown wa3 allowed to
make the best defence he could. That notori
ous felon had the right to ask that the charges
against him be made specific and plain—he had
time granted him for preparing his case—he
had skillful and learned counsel assigned liirn
—he had the privilege cd challenging jurors—
So short he stepped before the tribunal that
found bira guilty of murder and treason, pano
plied in all the rights and immunities of that
pride and glory of our law, the trial by Jury.
But how is it when JOHN COVODE, the recklpss
and unscrupulous partisan, arraigns JAMES BU
CHANAN at the bar of a Black Republican Con
gress J Why, JOHN COVODE, the accuser, is
likewise JOHN COVODE, the judge, JOHN COVODE,
the prosecuting attorney, and JOHN COVODE,
the prompter of the witnesses. In a court like
Ibis, the accused has no right to ask that the
eharges against him be made specific and cer
tain j be has no right to offer any rebutting ev
idence ; he has no right to "challenge jurors,"
or select counsel. Indeed, it is not intended
that he should have any such right*, for the ob
ject of such a tribunal is simply to convict, and
convict it will ar.d must, from its very Dalure.
Now, then, how in the name of all that is just,
can any credit be attached to any report mad •
by Mr. Covode's Committee I With only one
aide of the case which they are invtifiggtingj
before them, how can they do the President
justice I It is impossible! If John Covode
has not enough to do to settle hi? own account
with the devil, and if he must be the conscience
keeper of the President, let him bring his im
peachment before the Committee oh the Judi
ciary, and Ipt Old Buck have at feast as fair a
trial as John Brown. Fiat juslitia, ruat e
--lum /
election held in New Hampshire
some tims since, resulted in the success of the
Black Republican*, tgr about their usual IDS
****
A WORD TO CANDIDATES.
The lirne fnr holding the Democratic Goun.y
Convention, is but a few months distant, and
vet in the interval between the present time
and the meeting of that Convention, much may
be done for good, or for evil to the party.
hi Ist we do not believe that there will be a
single candidate before that Convention, who
will not cheerfully t acquiesce in its decision,
and who will not be ready to throw aside all
personal and private considerations lor the good
of the organization, yet we conceive it to be
'V.i: duty to say to those candidaies and their
fri-n.ls, that it is highly important that the
canvass about to be made for nomination for
the various offices, should be conducted in a .
harmonious, conciliatory and brotherly spirit.
Let there be a fair and open content between |
the Jiff, rent candidates ; let each strive against
the other, not as enemies, but as Irit'nds and fel
low members of the greatest party that ever ex
isted. A selfish politician can never be a pop
ular cne, and in the end, is but rarely a success
ful one. This !r is self-evident and teaches
its own lesson. Therefore, let the good ot the
Democracy, and through and by the success of
the Democracy, the good of the country, be an
ever present thought in the minds of candidates
and their friend*, and all will be well.
Local and Itliseellaneons.
— DISTRESSING ACCIDENT.—A small child,
belonging to the family ot Mr. Richard Sill,
residing at the foot of Dry Ridge, was run
j over by a horse, one day last week, and so
! badly injured that its recovery was despaired of.
Too much care cannot be taken with horses,
especially when children are about them.
All-fools-day (first of April) must have
been so called, because on that day folks genera!-
1 ly expect some of "the needful," and arejisual
!y most egregious!} - "fooled." This year this
| unwelcome anniversary came on Sunday, but,
as if people were determined to have at least
one day cf misery and distress in the year,
Monday was substituted in its stead. A great
throng of people celebrated this unlucky day
in our town, and much against our will, we
found oursplf appointed on the Committee of
Arrangements. We discharged t!.e duties of
our position to the best of our knowledge and
belief," the principal scenes of our labors
being lawyers' offices and the Bedford Banking
House. We soon found that our office was not
a sinecure, but decidedly a sine pecunia. As
night set in, we were compelled to abandon
the scene, our pocket-book having collapsed
and our small change having- been spirited
away in mollifying the hearts of importunate
creditors.
"■Dies tras, dies ilia /"
Men that love it must be silly !
—The liltie *at the end of announcements
of candidates, means that the announcement
to which it is attached, has been pre-paid. We
make this statement, lest same persons might
suppose that there is some mysterious meaning
in this little mark. We also warn candidates
not lo irr agin? themselves ia heaven/because
they are setting among the stars ! Otlice-seek-
J y %ii IFWi ■in il I'lliy ffll-inr n
—Several of our Hotels have changed hands.
The Washington, lately kept 'by Mrs. Cook,
has been leased by Mrs. S. Filler, well known
as the proprietress of an excellent private boar
ding-house on Juliana street. The Mengel
House, for a number of years in the occupancy
of Valentine Steckman, than whom a better
landlord is rarely to be found, has .passed into
the hands of Isaac Mengel, Jr., who, we feel
confident, wdl be able to give entire satisfac
tion as Mr. Steckman's successor. Col. Hafer
still keeps the old Bedford Hotel, in his in
imitable style,'and has recently improved his
accommodations by fitting up a saloon in the
basement. The "Union" will continue under
the management of cur friend Horton, whilst
the "Western" will be kept, as of yore, by
John Brice. So much for the Hotels.
—PROF. ROLLJN, the "Great Southern
Magician," will give one of his recherc.he en
tertainments at the Court House, Monday
evening next. We have seen the Professor in
some of his pertormances, and must say that
so far as we are able to judge, he is a second
Robert Houdin. Some of his tricks are -really
wonderful. Go and see him.
Our old friend, Jacob Bohnger, has estab
lished a branch of his grocery in the room im
mediately East of the Post Office. Persons
desirous of any thing in his line, w;li do well
lo give him a call.
We announce with deep regret, the death
of Ma. A.J. BAYLOU, of this borough, which
took place on Friday evening last. Deceased
leaves a large family to mourn his loss.
Read the original tale on our first page,
entitled, "Wilhelm : A legend of Old Fort
Bedford." It is well written and full of interest.
The author is a ripe scholar and by his natural
talents, as well as by education, is admirably
fitted for the career of a novelist. W? are
promised further contiibutions from his pen.
—We have a pile of communications, essays,
talis, &c., lying in our drawer, which await
their turn for publication. We find it im
possible to make ri.om for every article we
would pui-'ish. S', if any of our friends
who expct to get themselves in print, should
be disappointed, they must forgive us.
Don'', forget the mietirg ;f the Buchanan
Club, a! the Court House, on Saturday evening
next. Let every friend of FOSTER and the
interests of Pennsj-ivani i and the Union, at
tend. The Buchanan Club has always been a
terror to the mongrel Opposition, and they will
find during the coming campaign that it has
lost none of its prist tc* virtues.
— Tbe pie-bald, chsm-eleon-hued Opposition
in this place, have started a club, to meet
monthly—that is every time the dark of the
moon comes around. Is this club No. l,or No.
2, of the series started in 1857 ? As it is a
Cameron concern, we presume when Old Win
nebago gels the Chicago nomination, it will be
christened the "Buzzard Club." At this chris
tening, Fr. Jordan will, of course, act as
sponsor.
—See Advertisement of Dr. F. C. Reamer,
in tiiis issue. Persons desirous of purchasing,
or trading for Illinois lands, will serve their
interests by giving him a call.
—The Democratic National committee have
determined to take no steps for changing the
place of holding the National convention. It
will meet at Charleston.
CONNECTICUT ELECTION.—GREAT GAINS FOR
THE DEMOCRACY! —The election tor Governor
and members of the Legislature, came of! in
Connecticut, on Monday last. The contest was
so close that the majority for either party will
not be more than 200 or 300. In 1856 Fre
mont's majority over Buchanan, in this state,
was 772J, showing a Democratic gain since
then of over 7000 votes.
—The iatest political news from Washing
ton appears to indicate that Seward's prospects
(or the republican nomination, are advancing.
It is said that Cameron does not want to be
President, but Secretary of State, under Sew
ard. Chase is "out of the ring."
Money for Elections.
To take them at their word, the leaders of
the Republican party are the purest, most vir
tuous and incorruptible set of men that this earth
of ours has been blessed withal, since the days
of Cincinnatus, the Roman. They go into fits
of holy agony over the bare idea of official po
sition beiog used for the purposes of party suc
cess, and weep like very angels of virtue, when
they contemplate that money has been or may
be made an agent in producing election results.
Attei all, we are presumptuous enough to con-
I fess to a belief which has lor.g been impressed on
i our minds, that these political Criah Heeps who
, are so "umble" and so unsophisticated are not
j incorruptible.
Two week? ago, file lion. John Covode (iron
ically called honest John) mov-pd in the HOUSP,
the appointment of a select committee to in
quire whether money had been used in Penn
sylvania, in the last Presidential election, and
from what source it was obtained. Very well.
That is all right; if there has been bribery and
coritrplion, let us know of it. Simple hearted
people would think, f rom the fact of his taking
the lead in this matter, that Covode was a pious
christian man, honestly trying to ferret out par
ty knavery. But we have a fact to present,
which shows him to be a political hypocrite
and the Republican leaders with whom he acts
to be as deeply in the mire of party corruption
as ever they accused honest Democrats of be
ing. The Republican Congressional Executive
Commiltep, at Washington City, have issued a
secret circular, in which they vety earnestly
press upon the Republican party the importance
of contributing money for the purpose of carry
ing on the campaign. The circular, we say
was secret, but very fortunately it has come to
light, and the whole scheme of corrupt influ
ence has been laid bare. The identical John
Covode, of whom we have spoken, is one of the
committee. sod yet he
ocratic party using money in elections. Money
by (he thousands of dollars will be collected
and expended for the purpose of carrying the
next election : press and stump orators will be
hired and bought over, yet the leaders of the
Republican party will continue to bawl otU
"corruption" against us, without once showing
a sign of shame.— Washington Examiner.
Democratic State Committee.
The following State Committee of the Demo
cratic party, for 1860, was officially announced
on Monday last, by the Hon WILLIAM H.
WELSH, President of the Reading Convention,
acting under the authority of a resolution of
that body .• WILLIAM H. WELSH, CHAIR
MAN, (by Resolution of the Convention.)
first District.—City of Philadelphia.—John
Hamilton, Jr., Vincent, L. Bradford, J. Hen
ry Askins, Benjamin H. Brewster, William
Morgan, H. R Linderman, Charles W.
Carrigan, Robert McCay, Edward D. Cleary,
Hugh Barr, Geo. W. Irwin, John P. Mc
f adden, A. C. Cetli, Henry Dunlap, Stephen
J). Anderson, C. M. Donovan, lssac Leech,
F. P. Magee, John K. Chadwick, George
Link, E. C. Mitchell, Daniel Salomon.
Second District.—Chatles D. Manly, Robert
E, Monaghan.
Third District.—George Liuer, J. H. Hobait.
Fourth District.—Stokes L. Roberts, John
Davis.
Fifth District.—O. H. Meyers, Nelson VVeiser.
Sixth District. Charles H. Hunter, Howard
L. Miller, H. 11. Muhlenberg, J. Lawrence
Gelz, E. E. Griesemer, Reuben F. Brown.
Seventh D'.stiict. Bernard Reilly, Samuel
H. Shannon.
Eighth District.—H. B. Burnham, Jackson
Woodward.
Ninth District.—John F. Means,Wm. C Ward.
Tenth District.—E. B. Chase, D. R. Randall.
Eleventh District.— H. A. Guernsey, S. C.
Hyde.
Twelfth District.—Henry L. Dieffenbach, W.
H. Blair.
Thirteenth District.—Peter Ent, J. Woods
Brown, John Cunningham, Reuben Keller.
Fourteenth District.—John B. Bratton, Joseph
W. Parker.
Fifteenth District.—A. L. Roumfort, Thomas
C. McDowell, William H. Miller, Philip
Dougherty, J. Monroe Kreiter, William D.
Boa>, George W. Bowman, Joseph Gleim,
William H. Eckles, John H. Ziegler.
Sixteenth District.—Frederick S. Pyfer,
Samuel Parker, James VV. Clark, A. S. Bare.
Seventeenth District.—Peter Mclntyre, A.
Hiestand Glatz.
Eighteenth District—Henry J. Stahle, J. B.
Sansorn.
Nineteenth District—B. F. Meyers, R. Bruce
Petriken.
Twentieth District—Robert L. Johnson, Israel
Test.
Twenty-First District.—J. Alexander Fulton,
Joseph M. Thompson.
Twenty-Second District.—James C. Clark,
Thomas B. Searight.
Twenty-Third District.—George W. Miller,
A. A. Puiman.
Twenty-Fourih District.—Andrew Burke,
John M. Irwin, John M. McCloury, Wm.
H. McGee, B. St. Clair, Edward
Campbell, Jr., F. M. Hutchison, James P.
Barr.
Twenty-Fifth District.—Thomas Cunningham,
John Graham.
Twenty-Sixth District.—Thompson Graham,
James W. Kerr.
Twenty-Seventh District.—Wilson Laird,
James E. RlcFarland.
Twenty-Eighth District.— William T. Alexan
der, Joseph Hyde.
The last number of the York Gazette, of
which Mr. Welsh is editor, contains the subjoin
ed remarks in relation* to the appointment of
the Committee. It will be seen that the Chair
man pledges the devotion of all liis energies
toward ttie success ot the Democratic party in
the coming struggle ; and to all who are ac
quainted with his talents and zeal, the value of
his services will be duly appreciated :
"Our readers will remember that William
H. Welsh, the President of the Reading Con
vention, was made Chairman of the State Com
mittee by that body, and was authorized to
appoint two from each Senatorial District, with
such additional members as might be deemed
necessary. In making up the Committee lie
honestly endeavored to do that which seemed
best for the entire party, and he indulges the
hope that united action will result from the
course which has been pursued in reference to
this matter. As Chairman of the Committee
he will devote all his energies, unceasingly
and unreservedly, to secure the success of the
Democratic party in the approaching struggle,
and hp invokes the aid and assistance of all
good and true men in the party in his endeav
ors to bring the contest to a successful! issue.
"The Convention also authorize the appoint
ment of a Committee of Correspondence, to con
sist of one from each county in this Common
wealth. This Committee has not yet been com
pleted, as the President of the Convention
deems it proper and prudent to defer its an
nouncement until further consultation has ta
ken place upon the subject. The Committee
will be announced as soon as it can be com
pleted in accordance with the general interest
of the party.
PRESIDENT'S SPECIAL MESSAGE.
To the. House of Representatives :
After a delay which has a/forded me ample
time for reflection , ami after much and careful
deliberation, I find myself constrained by an
imperious sense of duty, as a co-ordinate branch
of the Federal Government, to protest against
tile first two clauses of the first resolution adop
ted by the House of Representatives, on the sth
instant, and published in the Congressional
Globe on the succeeding day. These clauses
are in the following words: "Resolved that a
committee of five members be appointed by the
Speaker, for the purpose {first) of investigating
whether the President of the United States, or
any other officer of the Government, lias by
money, patronage, or oilier improper means,
sought to influence the action of Congress, or
any committee thereof, for or against the pas
sage of any Jaw appertaining to the rights of
anyjState or Territory: (and 2d) 'also, to inquire
and investigate whether any officer or officers of
the Government have, by combination or other
wise, prevented or defeated, or attempted to
prevent or defeat, the execution of any law or
iaws now upon the statute book, and whether
the President has failed or refused to compel the
execution of any law thereof."
1 confine myself exclusively to these two
branches of the resolution ; because the portions
of'it which follow relate to alleged abusps in
iy>r nuKbp k*V'Upcrs- and ci
ther public works of the United states. Jn
such cases inquiries are highly proper in them
selves, and belong equally to the Senate and the
House, as incident to their legislative duties,
and being necessary to enable them to discover
and to provide the appropriate legislative rem
edies for any abuses which may be ascertained.
Although the terms of the latter portion of the
resolution are extremely vague and general, yet
my sHe purpose in adverting to them at present
is to mark the broad line of distinction between
the accusatory and the remedial clauses of this
! resolution. The House of Representatives pos
[ sess no power under the Constitution over the
first or accusatory portion of the resolution, ex
cept as an impeaching body ; whilst over the
last, in common with the Senate, their author
ity as a legislative body is fully and cheerfully
admitted.
It is solely in reference to the first or im
peaching power that I piopose to make a few
observations. Except in this single case, the
Constitution has invested the House of Repre
sentatives with no power, nor jurisdiction, no
supremacy whatever over the President. I;:
all other respects he is quite as independeot of
them as they are of turn. As a co-ordinate
branch of the Governm-nt, he is their equal.
Indeed, he is the only direct representative on
earth of tbe people of ail and each of the sov
ereign States. To them and to them alone, is
he responsible whilst acting within thesphpre
of his constitutional duty ; and not in any man
ner to the House of Representatives. The peo
ple have thought proper to invest him with the
most honorable, responsible, and dignified office
in the world ; and the individual, however un
worthy, now holding this exalted position, will
take care, so far as in him lies, that their rights
and prerogatives shall never be violated in his
person; but shall pass to his successors unim
paired by the adoption of a dangerous precedent.
He will defend them to the last extremity a
gainst any unconstitutional attempt, come from
what quarter it may, to abridge the constitu
tional rights ofthe Executive, and render him
subservient to any human power except them
selves.
The people have not confined the President
to the exercise of executive duties. They have
also conferred upon him a laige measure of le
gislative discretion. No bill can become a law
without his approval as representing the peo
ple ofthe United Slates, unless it shall pas af
ter his veto by a majority of two-thirds of botli
houses. In his legislative capacity, he might,
in common with the Senate and the House, in
stitute an inquiry to ascertain any facts which
ought to influence his judgment in approving
or vetoing any bill.
This participation in the performance of le
gislative duties between the co-ordinate branch
es of the Government ought to inspire the con
duct ol all of them, in their relations towards
each other, with mufal forbearance and respect.
At least each has a right to demand justice from
the other. The cause of complaint is that the
constitutional rights and immunities of the Ex
ecutive have been violated iu the person ofthe
President.
The trial of an impeachment of th® Presi
dent before the Senate on charges preferred and
prosesuted against him by the House of Repre
sentatives would be an imposing spectacle for!
the world. In the esult no*, only his removal 1
from the presidential office would be involved,
but, what is of infinitely greater importance to
himself, his character, both in the eyes of the
present and of future generations, might possi
bly be tarnished. The disgrace cast upon him
would in some degree be reflected upon the
character of the American people who elected
him. Hence the precautions adopted by the
Constitution to secure a fair trial. On such a
trial it declares that "the Chief Justice shall pre
side." This was doubtless because the framers
of the Constilution believed it to be possible that
the Vice Presideut might be biased bj the fact
that, "in case of the removal of the President
from otiice," "the same shall devolve on the
Vice President."
The preliminary proceedings in the House
in the case of charges which may involve im
peachment have been well and wisely settled
bv long practice upon principles of equal justice
both to the accused and to the people. The
precedent established in the case of Judge Peck,
of Missouri, in 1831, after acaretui review ol
all former precedents, will, I venture to pie
diet, stand the test of time. In that case Luke
Edward Lawless, the accuser, presented a peti
tion to the House, in which fie set forth min
utely and specifically his causes of complaint.
He prayed "that the conduct and proceedings
in this behalf of said Judge Peck may be inqui
red into by your honorable body, and such de
cision made thereon as to your wisdom and jus
tice shall seem proper." This petition was re
ferred to the Judiciary Committee. Such has
ever been deemed the appropriate committee to
make similar investigations. It is a standing
committee 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 acquaintance with judicial
proceedings arid whose habits of investigation
qualify their, peculiarly for the task. No tri
bunal, from their position and character, could,
in the nature of things, be more impartial. In
the case of Judge Peck the witnesses were se
lected ay the committee itself, with a view to
ascertain the truth of the charge. They were
cross-examined by him, and everything was con
ducted in such a manner as to afibrd him no
reasonable cause of complaint.
In view of this precedent, and, what is of far
greater importance, in view of the Constitution
i and the principles of eternal justice, in what
manner has the President ol trie United States
been treated by the House of Representatives ?
Mr. John Covode, a representative from Penn
sylvania, is the accuser of the President. In
stead of following the wise precedents of for
mer times, and especially that in the case of
Judge Peck, and referring the accusation to the
Committee on the Judiciary, tfie House have
i made my accuser one of my judges.
To make the accuser the judge is a violation
| ofthe principles of universal justice, and iscon
i demned by trie practice of all civilized nations.
| Every Ireeman must revolt at such a spectacle.
' 1 am to appear before Mr. Covooe, either per
j sonally or by a substitute, to cross-examine the
| witnesses which he may produce before him
j sell to sustain his own accusations against me;
and perhaps even this poor boon may be denied
to (tie President.
And what is the nature of the investigation
which fiis resolution proposes to institute? It
I is as vague and gpneral as the English language
1 affords words in which to make it. The com
mittee is to inquire, not info any specific charge
or charges, but whether the President has, by
"money, patronage, or other improper means,
sougfit to influence," not the action of any in
dividual member or members of Congress, but
"the actioft" oi me i-uure •"
itself, "or any committee thereof." The Pres
ident might have had some glimmering of the
nature of the offence to be investigated had his
accuser pointed to the act or acts of Congress
which he sought to pass or to defeat by the em
ployment of "money, patronage, or other im
proper means." Bat the accusation is bounded
by no such limits. It extends to the whole
circle of legislation ; to interference "for or a
gainst the passage 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 ? These
might easily have been pointed out had anv
such existed.
Had Mr. Lawless asked an inquiry to be
made by the House whether Judge Peck, in
general terms, had not violated his judicial du
ties, without the specification of any particular
act, I do not believe there would have been a
single vote in that body in favor of the inqui
rV* —
Since Urn time of (he Star Chamber
general warrants there has been no such pro-
I ceeding in England.
The House of Representatives, tho high im
peaching power of the country, without consen
i ting to hear a word of explanation, have endor
sed this accusation against the President, and
made it their own act. They even refused to
permit a merr.bpr to inquire of the President's
accuser what wVre the specific charges against
him. Thus in this preliminary accusation of
"high crimes and misdemeanors" against a co
ordinate branch of the Government, under the
impeaching power, the House refused to hear a
single suggestion even in regard to the correct
mode of proceeding ; but, without a moment's
delay, passed the accusatory resolutions under
the presure, of iiie previous question.
In the institution of a prosecution for any of
fence against the most humble citizen—and I
claim for myself no greater rights than he en
joys—the Constitution of the United States and
ofthe several States require that he shall be in
formed, in the very beginning, of the nature,
and cause of the accusation against him, in or
d-r to enable him to prepare for his defence.
There are other principles, yrhich 1 might enu
merate, nut less sacred, presenting an impene
trable shield to protect everv citizen falsely
charged with a crimna l offence. These have
been violated in the prosecution instituted by
the House of Representatives against the Exe
cutive branch of the G ivernmerit. Shall the
Executive alone be deprived of rights which all
his fellow-citizens enjoy J The whole procee
ding against him justifies the of those wise
and great men who, before the Constitution was
adopted by the States, apprehended that the
tendency ofthe Government was to the aggran
dizement of the Legislative at the expense of the
Executive and Judicial Departments.
I again declare, emphatically, that I make
this protest for no reason personal to myself •
and Ido it with perfect respect for the House'
of Representatives, in which I had the honor of
serving as a member for five successive terms.
1 have lived long in this goodly land, and have
enjoyed ail the office* aud honors which my
country could bestow. Amid all the political
storms through which I have passed, the pres
ent >s the first attempt which has ever been
made, to my knowledge, to assa,! my personal
or offiaal integrity : and this as the time is ap
proaching when I shall voluntarily tetirefrom
the serv.ee of my country. I feel proudly con
scious that there is no public act ot my life
which will not bear the strictest scrutiny. £
defy all investigation. Nothing but the basest
perjury can sully my good name. Ida not tear
ewn this; because I cherish an humble confi
dence that the giactous Being who has hitherto
defended and protected me against the shafts of
falsehood and malice will not desert me now
when I have become "old and grey headed."
I can declare before God and my country that
no human being (with an exception scarcely
worthy ot notice) has at any period of my life
dared to approach me with a corrupt or dishon
orable proposition ; and until recent develop
ments, it had never entered into my imagination
that any person, even in the storm of ex3s>er
ated political excitement, would charge me, in
the most remote degree, with having made tuch
a proposition to any human being. I may now
however, exclaim, in the language of complaint
employed by my first and greatest predecessor,
tlia' I have bten abused "in such exaggerated
and indecent terms as could scarcely be applied
to a Nero, to a notorious defaulter, or even to a
common pickpocket."
I do, therefore, for the reasons stated, and in
the name of the people of the several States,
solemnly protest against these proceedings o
the House of Representatives; becnuse thev are
in violation of the rights of the co-ordisiate Ex
ecutive branch of the Government and subver
sive of its constitutional independence; because
they are calculated to foster a band of interes
ted parasites and informers, ever ready, for their
own advantage, to swear before ex parte com
mittees to pretended private conversations be
tween the President and themselves, incapable,
from their nature, of being disproved ; ihus fur
nishing material for harassing him, degrading
him in the eyes of the country, and eventually,
should he be a weak or a timid man, rendering
him subservient to improper influences, m o--
der to avoid such persecutions and annoyances;
■ because they tend to destroy that harmonious
action f>r the common good, which ought to b
maintained and which I sincerely desire to
j cherish, between co-ordinate branches of the
! Government ; and finally, because, if unresisted,
they would establish a precedent dangerou* and
| enibariassing to all my successors, to whatever
' political party they might be attached.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON, 28th March, 1860.
| !
HOLI.OWAY'S PILLS AND OINTMENT.—The
voic" of the people in the testimony of reason !
| Ministers ol the Gospel are everywhere re
commending them, while eminent medical men
j prescribe them for their patients- in all cases
| inquiring to-MC, disinfectant,antispepticor alter
ative remedies. L Iters are received from all
; parts of the United Stales and the Canadas en
! closing orders from respectable physicians or
| certificates, from clergymen of every denomtna
; lion, of extraordinary cures effected by the
agency of these medicines. If but a tithe of
i these well authenticated documents were pub
i lished it would form a respectable sized volume
; and an interesting addition to the literature of
j the day. Read the advertisement.
MARRIED.
On the evening of the twentieth inst., at the
residence of the bride's father, oy Abrm. H.
! Hull, Esq., Mr. Valentine Weyant, to Miss
: Sarah Ickes, all of Union Township, Bedford
j Co., Pa.
| On Tuesday r,r.,i,.g, March 20th, by the
Rev. *V in. M. Deatrick, Mr. Samuel VV. Hor
race, Yv est more land county, Pa., to Mi*s Ada
line R. second daughter of Mr. Wm. Young,
of Hopewell township, Bedford co.
Nvar Pleasanfville, Bedford co., Hlh inst.,
by the Rev. B H. Hunt, )Mr. Peter Nunema
ker, to Miss Matilda Mechtley.
! January 12th, in St. Hair tp., by the same,
i Mr. George Border, to Miss Martha Miller.
On 22d ulf, by the Rev. N\ E. Gilds, Mr.
• John Powell, to Miss Mary Creuss, both of
, Bedford Co.
I> I K D J
At Rock Island, Illinois, on the 25th of
; Feb. ult., John A. Diodget. son of Alfred and
Eliza D. Craine, aged 5 years and 11 mo.
On the 16 tilt., Mr. Adam Barnharl, of
Bedford township, aged 56 years, i moctbs
and 10 days.
The community, in (he death of Mr. B3rn
hart, has lost a bright ornament—the church,
of which he was a member, the Evangelical
Lutheran, a faithful friend, one who loved
and laboured for its good. The wife and
chih.ren, a devcted husband and loving parent.
He was a man of great moral worth—quiet,
in his disposition, modest and re
ti ring in his habits, yet firm and decided in
ieligious belief and practice. i)eath presented
no terrors to his mind for hiin, death had lost
his sting and the grave its victorv. Of him it
may be said, "he being dead, vet speaketh."
S. Y.
'"-IT" y u *—• *■■■'■—l--.. ■ i. mmmggp
jJ o 1111 ca I -Announcements.
[All notices under this head must be pre-pai.hj~*
Protlionotary.
V.'e are authorized to announce MAJ. SAMVEL If.
TATE, of BcJloru borough, as A candidate for Pro
tbonotary, subject to the decision of the Democrat
ic county Convention. •
We arc authorized'© announce the name of J. ESK-
R\ SciiEi.LjOf Scheilaburg, as a candidate for Pro
thonotary, subject to the decision of the Democratic
County (.'onventmn.
March 30th, 1563. •
Sheriff
We are authorized to announce the nam: rt VAL
KNTINE Srecxss AN, as A candidate for the office of
bb-r;H, surject to the decision ot the Democrat!*
County Convention. •
R S A L E,
\OREXC H A N G E.
• iln, 6 tracfs VBf y choice farm land, contain
ing 160 acres in each tract, situate on the Illinois
oentrai K. K. in Champaign co., State of Illinois, S
miles from the city of {Jrbana, and 1 mile fromften
,ual Station on said road. Two of the tracts adjoin,
and one of them has a never failing pond cf water.
I lie city of Urbana contains a population of 3000.
Champaign is the greatest wheat growing country
m the State.
Address, F. C. REAMER,
Bedford, Ts..
at Shoemakers,' If yon are in search of bhr
-gains, for you will be sure to get them thereftbey
have a full Room of all kinds of goods at No 1, An
derson's Row. [apri! Bth| ISWO.j