Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-11-08


;hat you have lately had before your body-the amend
ing he Constitution of the United States in relation 10
thacliocc of Chief Magistrate. Upon this matter
greatly doubted whether might not he my duty again
- appear IN the Senate, and extend my feeble a'd to-
wards producing alteration i'll which great interest
with the people of the United States exists, and OH
which the security Of our Republican system may &c
pend But having been advised oil resou''ono your
honourah!c body, presenting AGAIN my name 10 the
American People, for the Office OF Gmci Magistrate ot
tins Lnou, could no longer hesitate on the course
should pursue doubt yielded 10 certainty, and de
tcrnned forthwith to ask your indulgence, TO be eNcu-
sed from any further service M the Councils OF the Ma
ton.
Thus situ1ted,-my name presented to the frcemen
OF the United States ior the first Office known the
stituion,-I could not, with any thing of appreciation
part, consent either to urge encourage al
teratiOn, winch might the appearance of be ny
induced by selfish considerations -by desire To adj
my own views. feel 4 thorough AMI safe
vIcton, that mpuaton would be at founded and that
rlehing could prompt to an active course that
subject, which Ia, Judgment did not approve; yet,
from late events might be Inferred that the aspects
vi your recommendation could he rendered probable
only by tue people having the chuiCc given TO them di
rect, abundant woud be afforded 10 ascTibe any
excrOns of mine to appcrtanlnG exclusively
myself. Imputatons thus made would be extremely
irhscue To any person OF vrtuous neutrality-suspicious. feel
ing they would certainly prove me; and hence the
determination TO retire from situation where strong
suspicious might at least attach and with great seeming
pruPrcty hasten, therefore, TO tender this my rcsig
nation into the hands of those who conferred it. that in
the exercise Of their constitutional rights they may
Eontde II to some one deserving their confidence aud
appreciation.
Being about to retire again 10 private life il is pro-
baby the last time shall have opportunity OF re,5
ing you Permit then suggest some remarks upon
the amendment which yI hive proposed TO the Consti
tuition OF the United States. Our political fabric being
regulated by checks and balances where cxpcricncc a.
sures Us that those which have been reso."d
efficient, that, how we'll their boundaries have
tho
new barrier tn the cncroacment of power currup-
ton, IN any ot the departments of government,
ccssary, corrective should be applied and under such
circumstances, il is tn duty of the People To sec that
provided. There is no truth more sacred in 20
lucs, and none concusvcly stamped upon all The
Stale CONSTITUTIONS rs well the Federal Consiitu
lion, than that which requires tie three rca, depart
mcntS OF Po'ycr-the Legislative, Judicial, and LAccu
hSe-tO be Kept separate and apart But simple and
manifest as THIS truth :, the difficulty Of arriving al il
practice with constitutional restraints, still cnas ana
presents question, whether the wisdom and virtue Of
the present generation It'll a view TO amendment III
this important matter may not be usciuEy cmuol ed,
Gratitude 10 the founders of our happy government
cannot be lessened by honest efforts our part to i'm,
prove rather TO ioriiiy, the blessings winch lave
been transmitted To with such additional guards rs
experience has proved To be necessary Upun dis prin
cipe, venture fully accord with you n The cnu en-
plated change proposed TO the Constitution: and indeed
would go further With view TO sustain more c,,-
iuay, in practice the axiom winch ii, !Las the three
great O power into IuulelfCt, constitutional
checks. would impose piovtsIo' 'euderug any mem
Der of Congress Ineligible office under the General
Government, during tie term for which he was elect
ed and Tor two years thereafter, except in of in
dicai Office; and these would except for Tie reason
that vacancies IN tins department frequent &C
cUTrAnce4, and because barrier should be ernoscI
IN selecting TO the Bench of the first talent, and
integrity. Thentrrss and duties being of the most re-
sponsble kind the widest possible range should be per
mted that udlc1ls aud safe selections might t. made
The Politician may yet his may be presently
relieved, and considerable injury .uIt; rat with
judi. particularly the last resort error is fatal be-
Cause without a remedy.
he effect of such constitutional provision is obvi-
Gus By il, Congress, in considerable degree, would
he free from that ConneXon with the Executive DE
parnen which at present, gives strong ground of ap-
prehcnsIOn aud Jealousy the part of the people
Member, instead Of being liable to be withdrawn from
legsatng the great interests of the nation through
prospects Executive patronage, would be more be.
rally Coudcd by their constituents while their vigi-
lance would be less interrupted by party feelings and
party e&ctements. Calculations, from intrigue or
manage ent, would fail; would their deliberations
their investigation Of subjects. consume so much
time. The morals of the country would be improved
and virtue uniting with tue labors of the Representa-
tives and with the official ministers of the law would
tend 10 Pcrpeuate tie honor and glory Of the Govern
mcat.
Gg fts change in the Constitution should not be 90
tanned aud important appointments continue 10 dcyovc
the Rpprescnatis IN ongress il reqnrcs no dcp,E
the order Of The day; and at under Tie garb Of cOu
scenous sacrifices establish preccdcnts oy the public
gooi, evils o! serious Importance the freedom and
prosperity of tie Republic may arise, II is through
tbs channel that the People may eXpcct DC attacked
in their constitutional sovereignty, and where tyranny
may well be apuretendcd to spring up in favour
able emergency. Against such threads, every guard
ought to be nterposed. and none better occurs, than
that of closing the suspected avenue, with neccs
sary constitutional restriction. We know human ma
tire to be prone to evil early taught TO pray that
NAV not be led into temptations AMI hence the Opt
mon, that by constitutional provision. all avenues to
temptation on the part of political servants should
be cr.eG.
Ny nam" having been before the nation for the Office
OF triet Magistrate during ne time served as your
Senator. plaCeu me ID Situation ttuiy delicate; but de
licatc as friends do aud enemies can
not, charge me 9TH descending from lbc independent
ground then occpgrl with degrading the rcposcd
me, by intririI- The P~c.ldcuIIa chair As by
resolution OF y"u, body, YOU have thought proper
again 70 present ~ name TO the american People. ]
must cnireat to ba eNcUsc from any further service in
the ,crac; and to sur~csf III C1ncu5ioD that if i