Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1806-09-19

the execQuve, At that juneture.-- ne
presidentpf the u. States had just been
re-elected'by great and imposing ma
jority of the people. The acquisition 81
Louisiana had given an eelat TO the exc.
cutive, and cast = splendor around the
administration, in which every minor
defect ofthe Government was eclipsed
and forgotten. The colossal popularity
of the Precedent seemed to mock at ali
opposition. unmindful ofrastand desr
bought experience, t6e republicans had
erected a political idol, on whose aifars ne
svh0 dared to question ifs iaf1lii6iEty.
must prepare % bleed Inthis posture of
affairs, all opposition was indeed for.
lorn hope There 5swas every thing to
lose, nothing to gain. The, minority
had only TO compromise their principles,
to betray their duty to themselves their
constituents, and their country, in or
der to enjoy the eountenanee of the I'D
mintstration, to ensure the appreciation
Of the public. for time, and their owa
contempt forever. They had. but 70 ac-
squiesce in measures which their eonsci-
ence and Judgment condemned, and
swim in ignoble security with the current
ofthe day. They were not insensible
to the danger of the opposite course, bdt,
whilst they coolly estimated the Difficult.
~ they had the fortitude to encounter il.
Let Il be admitted, for moment, that
these gentlemen were mistaken in their
tiews: still | pronounce. that he who
does not applaud their independence and
hrmness IS unworthy Of the name offree.
man. They had the courage to. assert
and maintain the deliberate convictions
OF their honest Judgment against the
proudest authority. and preferred the
hazard Of their popularity, othe surrsn-
deroftheir understandings and consoles.
ces. Let the people look to il. Isthere any
danger eta dearth of time. servers, under
any administration, which has the power
ofrewarding them! thatdu respect viii
nor always bs paid 70 the ioayss and 6sFi.
es TheEhistory of this government,
OF every executive, with legal powers,
must answer the question. IN Let the
members constituting the republicanmi.
nority be dismissed from the confidence
and employment Of the people-can they
look for any thing like independence in
their successors Il would, indeed be
an idle expectation.-Fhey must enter
upon their legislative dutics with instruc.
tons to lay aside the suggestions Of their
misunderstanding, and coniorm them
selves in all things TO the wishes of the
cabinet. The first Lesson which they
learned would teach them 10 consider any
variation from the executive standard,
As the most heinods sin in the political
decalogue.-Wou sueh mea dare to
oppose any presidential project, however
criminal! From the very nature Of their
appointment, they must become the pup.
pets of the administration, for the time
being. house ofreprssehtatiyes, 40
constituted, must dwindle into mere
chamber for enregistering ministerial
edicts 3 and whilst the forms Of the CON.
a'isgtion were Prsseryed is substance
- On the third Of December, fsos, the
presidents public message was laid be.
fore the two houses of Congress. The
aggressions Of Spain were specially no
ticed. with Spain, (says the chief
:. nnagistrate) our negotiations for set.
). clement Of diferences.h have not had
;. satisfactory issue. Spoliations dGring
:. the former war, for which she had for.
'.mally acknowledged herself responsi.
!. bic, have been refused to be cornpen.
!. sated, but on conditions affecting other
). claims in no wise connect. with them |
" yet the same practieessarc renewrd IN
" the present mar, and are Giready Of |
I" great amount. Our commerce through.
" the Mobile continues TO be obstructed |
: BY their arbitrary doties and yexatious |
: searches. Propositions for adjusting |
$ aaaicably the boundaries Of Leuisiana |
. have not been aeceded 70. Willis,
:. however the right Is unsettled. we have |
- n l. IA : {