Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-04-11
TUESDAY, April I.

TUESDAY, April 1.
On motion OF Mr.. j. Randolph the
House took up the report of the commits
tee OF the whole on sundry resolutions a.
greed to by them on the 28th ult.
When the question was put on concur
ring IN the report of the committee of
the whole 10 their agreement TO the sec.
ond resolution, as follows
2nd Resolution, That the union of
plurality OF offices in the person of sim
gle individuab but more especially OF
the military with the civil authority. il
repugnant to the spirit of the constitution
OF the United States, and tends to the
introducing oil an arbitrary government,
On this question an interesting debate
ensued, in which the affirmative side
was espoused by Messrs. ]. Randolnh
and }. Clay, and the negative by Messrs.
Bidweli, Smile, Sloan, Quincy, Gregg,
Findley, Rhea, of Tenn. Varnum, Elmer
and Southard. -
when the question was taken by Yeas
and Nays-Yeas sl-Nays 81 and the
resolution was consequently r,:ected.
This discussion was openedby the op-
ponsnts OF the resolutions. They denied
that either plurality oil Office, or an u.
Mon OF civil and military Office in one
person, was incompatible with the spirit
OF the constitution. They said That the
spirit OF the constitution could only be in
ieFred from its letter, and that the instru.
rnent did not contain a single provision
iphibitlng the union. To sbew this, by
proving contrary principle 10 be ingraft-
ed IN The constitution, they insianced the
UNION OF civil aud military authority in
the person OF the chief magistrate, who
was ex-ctticio commander in chief of,
The army and militia OF the United States,
and to shew the uniform construction pi.
ven TO the constitution, they appealed TO
the conduct practised under the guyern-
mens, and 10 the passage OF various laws
uniting civil and military functions in
the same individual. They maintained,
that even il this union of Offices were re-
pugnant 10 the spirit of the constitution.
II did not belong TO one or both Houses
OF Congress 10 pass resolution declara-
tory OF It's meaning that such ABSTRACT
declarations and interpretations we're I'M
AUTHORISED aud were extremely dangerous:
N'N~ - VIC were detective.
the only proper course was to offer an a.
mendment TO it. They further emark-
ed that this resolution was intended to
pass censure upon the executive on &C.
count OF the recent appointment of gen.
Wilkinson, who was brigsder general in
The army, 10 the Office Of governor of
Louisiana that if the executive were
rePrehenslDle on this score, this was not
the remedy. The constitution had repo
sed the power Of appointment in the
hands OF the President and Senate and
the only constitutional course, which
could be pursued, was, in case of an a.
buse OF power, to prefer an iInpeach.
ment,
The friends of the resolution replied,
by maintaining the plurality &c, flee, and
the union OF civil a1d military CEices in
one person, Incompatible with the spirit
OF the constitution. They SAID that the
spirit of the constitution reoGired the
military 10 be kept IN slr4 suDofdination
to The civil authority, and that It was for
this reason that The President OF the u.
h'ted States was commanGer in chef of
The army and asvy aet ,hs, IL WAS in-