Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-04-05

other branches are confined, with few
exceptions, to what may be considered
their appropriate powers, to this body
only, is granted participation IN all The
different powers of the government.
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
In lis Legislative character, 1t par
takes, with The House OF Representa-.
tives, in all of the powers vested in Con-
gress, excepting that of originating re.
venue bills in its Executive, il holds
an important controlover the powers OF
Office and forming Treaties II constitutes
the court before which all officers OF the
government may be held accountable
for an honest discharge OF duty; WINES
from lis peculiar character, as the Re-
preventative OF the States, il is emphatl.
rally the guardian Of their rights and
sovereignty.
1t must be apparent that. on wlse
and virtuous exercise of these important
powers, the success of our free and hap
py system Of government, 10 DO small
degree, depends. We, accordingly, lind
that the trainers of our constitution have
i bestowed the greatest attention on the
| organization OF this body; and with such
| happy success, that il is admirably adapt
| ed to the discharge of each OF its various
and dissnilar functions, as il any parti-
liar one only, instead OF all, bad beenthe
sole object OF lis creation. SO fortunate:
indeed, is its structure, in every respect.
that even time, instead OF importing, has
had the opposite effect, OF remedying
what might, at first, be considered the
only defec, in the body.--At the iorma-
tim OF the government, the members OF
The Senate were, probably, too few 10
attract the full confidence of the people,
and thereby give 10 it The weight in the
| system which the constitution Intended.
This defect has, however, been happily
removed by an extraordinary growth.
In the short space of thirty-slx years,
eleven new states have been added to
the Union, and twice that number of Se-
majors 10 the body; and before the ter.
mination of the next four years, the
orig nal number of States and Senators
will be more than doubled.
/ feel, gentlemen, that ! owe an apo
logy for touching On subjects which must
be familiar to this enlightened body, and
also for adding, what must be kno wn to
all, that successful discharge OF The du-
ties assigned by the Constitution TO the
Senate must depend, Notwithstanding the
skill of its organization, almost wholly on
the patriotism and wisdom of its mem.
bers, These high attributes, | however
feel assured, from past and present ex-
pericnce. will never be wanting in the
members "i this body.
In fulfilling your important functionss
something will depend on the skill an6
importantly of the presiding officer. In
regard to the former, can promise no.
Thing | am without experience, which
only can give the requisite SIKH in pre-.
Isiding, and feel that must often throw
myself on your Indulgence. shall,
lhoweyer, endeavor to compensate for
the want of skill by the most rigid i'm.
|parlality. In this office, regard only
the Senate and its duties, and | shalt
slrive with feeling of pride Gin the sta,
ton, | trust not eprehensible,) to pre-.
serve the high character already attained
by the Senate for dignity and wisdom,
aud TO elevate it, if possible, still higher
in tbs public esteem.