Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-03-15

1t We compare the principle of this a.
mendment and my proposition, with the
principles OF the constitutions, We shall find,
that II no less harmonixes with them than
itdoes with this provision Of the instrument.
1T there be a principle universally allowed
by men of all parties to be the basis of Ii
berty, with the existence of which. il is
admitted on all hands, that the enemies of
freedom is identified, it is that the three
great departments ofpower, the Legislative,
executive and judicial, oughtto be separate
and distinct. The consolidation Of these
three powers into one, has been denomiaa'
,sd dehnitiou Of despotismsnt Aad
10 proportion as these powers approximate
to consolidation, the spirit of despotism
steals over US. AT the time of the adop-
ton of this instrument, it was an objection
raised against it by some Of its most en-
lightened opposers, that its tendency was
to such consolidation, and on this account
they strove to rouse the spirit of liberty.
But, their anticipations had chiefly refer
ence to the forms of the constitution, and
particularly to that qualified c~ontroul, which
the executive has over the acts of the legis-
lature. They anticipated not at all, or at
least very obscurely, that consolidation,
which has grown and is strengthening un-
der the influence Of the Office. distributing
power, vested in the executive. A con-
solidation p%erceptible to all, and which is
the more fixed and inseparabie, inasmuch
as the cement is constituted by the strongest
of all amalgams. that of the precious me-
tails. This state of things is not the less to
be deprecated, on account Of the fact, tina,
the forms of the constitution arc preserved,
while its spirit is perishing. The members
OF both branches may meet, deliberate and
act. but the spirit ofindependence is gone
whenever the action of the Legislature i,
identified with the win of the executive, b,
the potent influence of the ofice.hoping ant
the ofhce-holding charm.
With respect to the nature of this influ
ence, / remark, that a misconception seem
to be entertained concerning it. The bar
suggestion Gifts existence is almost though
to be i%ndecorous, because of the gross ant
palpable corruption, in which it is suppo
sed to consist. It is thought to imply
sort of pre-contract between the executive
and his selected favorites, SO many vote
for so many Offices; or such an Office TO
sucha term of Swiss service. Sir, nothing
| of this kind is pretended. Such sale o
| conscience and duty in open market, is no
reconcileable with the present state Of civil
lied society. There is no such thing now
a 4 DAYS, as street prostitution by day light
vet the passions are INDUCED in darkness
| and concealment, and the parties concern.
| ed come into the sun and look one another
and the world in the face, as though they
were Catos and Lucretias. And they are
nightly offended i etherebe any suggestion,
ever so remote, of pollution, or any hint
| that they have been about any thing else,
| in their transactions with the executive,
| than pursuing the pure love of glory and
| their country. But, the corruption OF
which l speak, and which is the object OF
both the amendment and proposition, issof
a nature neither very gross nor very bare.
faced. Yet. on these accounts, It IS not
the less to be deprecated. On the contra
nv. from its very insidiousness and its aP-
pearing so often, almost In the garb OF a
virtue, ought it to be watched and restrIc-
ted.
Such is its nature, that it corrupts the
very foundation of action. IL springs up
ont OF the human heart and the condition OF
things, so that it is almost impossible that
it should not exist, or that it should be al
together resisted. 1t has its origin IN that
love of place, which is SO inherent IN the
human heart, that it may be called almost
an universal and instructive passion. 1t
cannot be otherwise. For SO long as the
love Of honour and the love Of proft are ma
tural to man, 50 long the love OF place,
which includes either the one or the other,
or both, must be a very general and pre-
-, .onlaa II cannon. therefore. bur