Johnson, the faithful and
consistent sentinel of the law and of the Constitution, disapproved in
that instance, as he does in this, and moved an inquiry. The public
mind remained agitated and unappeased until the recent atonement, so
honorably made by the gallant commodore. And is there to be a
distinction between the officers of the two branches of the public
service? Are former services, however eminent, to preclude even
inquiry into recent misconduct? Is there to be no limit, no prudential
bounds to the national gratitude? I am not disposed to censure the
President for not ordering a court of inquiry, or a general court-martial.
Perhaps, impelled by a sense of gratitude, he determined, by
anticipation, to extend to the general that pardon which he had the
undoubted right to grant after sentence. Let us not shrink from our
duty. Let us assert our constitutional powers, and vindicate the
instrument from military violation.
I hope gentlemen will deliberately survey the awful isthmus on
which we stand. They may bear down all opposition; they may even
vote the general the public thanks; they may carry him triumphantly
through this House. But, if they do, in my humble judgment, it will be
a triumph of the principle of insubordination, a triumph of the military
over the civil authority, a triumph over the powers of this House, a
triumph over the Constitution of the land.
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