Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)United States. Congress
History
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)
United States. Congress
Law -- United States; United States -- Politics and government
Mr. HOLLAND observed that he had moved an adjournment to allow those
gentlemen time for reflection who had not yet made up their minds on
the propriety of the motion. He was himself of this number. Having been
allowed no time for reflection, he did not feel perfectly satisfied with
the appointment of a committee of inquiry before any facts had been
substantiated. Desiring further time to form his judgment, and seeing no
occasion for precipitation, he should vote in favor of a postponement.
Mr. G. W. CAMPBELL.--I will not, at this late hour, detain the House
with the expression of my ideas in detail. I am as desirous as any
member of this House that the streams of justice should flow pure and
unsullied, as on their purity depend the safety and liberties of the
people of the United States. But when we are about to enter into measures
for preserving them clear, we owe it to ourselves to preserve order in
our conduct, and to act in such a manner as we shall be able to justify
to our constituents. Every member of this House, on such an occasion,
ought to be as cautious in his proceeding as a judge in delivering his
opinions, lest, while we are condemning the conduct of the judge, we
ourselves go astray from our duty. For this reason, I am against the
adoption of a measure which may throw a censure on a character invested
by the United States with high authority, until I am convinced we have
sufficient grounds for doing so. The resolution on the table can have
but one object, to wit: the direction of an inquiry whether sufficient
evidence can be procured to authorize an impeachment. I conceive that
this House cannot proceed in any other way. I am therefore of opinion,
that, before the vote for an inquiry, there ought to be probable grounds
that facts exist that authorize an impeachment, and that evidence can
be procured of their existence. I am not prepared to say, from any
thing which has been adduced, that such evidence does exist. I conceive
that until probable grounds are shown, we ought not to authorize such a
procedure, inasmuch as it may establish a precedent that we may hereafter
regret--a precedent which will put it in the power of any member to move
and obtain an inquiry into the conduct of the President, a judge, or
any other officer under the Government. Under these circumstances, I am
not prepared to say this is the regular course of proceeding. I do not
profess to have much knowledge of parliamentary proceedings, and have
therefore waited, before I expressed my opinions, to hear such precedents
as gentlemen could adduce. Having heard none, I conclude none exist.
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