Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-02-25

NoiSfess, and most truly states, that the consti-
tuition presuncs the possibility. aud even proba
o'hty OF corruption IN the President; but he
makes no inquiry respecting the specific provi-
son IN the constitution, intended to protect
| congress against executive patronage and in
| tlucnce.
Let, then, tue writer make the inquiries
Is The message constitutional? Is il not anil.
constitutional The 81 section of the I'd article
OF the constitution, points out the manner in
which the President shall give nlorrnaton aud
recommend measures t. Congress in the follow
Ing words: "t1e (thc Presidcntl shah, from time
TO 'i'ne, give TO the Congress information of the
STATE otthe union, aud recommend t. their con
side alton, such measures as he snail Judge ne
! ccssary aud expedient.n Is the message "iari
ttng Gte attention" of Congress 10 sorrc in, pent
procce 'ings torJancs Monroe's individual emol-
une'it, conibrnable To either Of these prov sions
IN substance, or in form9 Could it have been
| intended by either of these provisions that
lanes Monroe, in has corporate. P,esidentjai
character, should be authorised TO .'inruc Mc
Intention Of Congress" TO certain incipient pro-
ceedugs for the einolunent Of James Monroe,
'a ms original, 'ndpidudi chayrcter7 The wri-
ter thinks not. The form is essentially different
IL does not ''feconunend measures. ut sinuites
attention." But suppose that this Difference is
mere matter oil form, moi OF substance, and that,
according to the new national lexicography&
'modat,oa" Is polite and improved change of
phraseoiogy for 're'o Da0endati0n;n and that the
message Is IN fact, Recommendation by the
| President 10 Congress, To take incipient mea
sures tor the ''ernonment" of James Monroe.
alter his retirement from his 'shiph trust:n is il
not substantial violation, or evasion of another
important provision OF the constitution invol-
! wing perhaps, more delicate considerations in
| reia'ioh To t1e intercourse between the Presi-
dent and Congress, than any other i'm that nc
elected and much abused instrument? The LIST
section OF the I'd article of the constitution i,
m the following words: "Tne President shall at
stated tunes, receive for ms services a cOmpen.
saton, which shall neither be increased nor III
FINISHED, Turing the period for which he shall
have been elected, andhe shall not aeceice, ,onL
"a h'd period, any other emoiument fran. Ae
On'ted StcteS, or nny Of Utem.n
"bmoiliinent" is the broadest term the Eng
lIsh language affords for the object of the con
sttution; and is, therefore, most properly inter
posed TO effect that object. This evidently was
70 protect Congress against all possible prcsi-
dental Influence which might be eXerted for ms
INDIVIDUAL enoinent 'Emolunentn includes
as well compensation for services. real, or pre-
tended, as graiuitous donations. Il never could
have been antic pated nv the wise trainers of tbe
constitution, that the apprehended influence of
the President upon Congress, would be attennt
ed, without any pretext whatever: thew there
fore, chose th: term 'semoiuncntn to exclude
IL from Congress IN every form, and under eye,y
rrcteXt whatever. Is not the message of tIie
President, ''invlting the attention. of Cofpres.
10 "n subject uery Interesting to hi,n:n which
subject Is, 10 obtain from Congress some "enol
uincnt" after his retirement from his Hfich trust
a substantial violation ofthis important and deli
cate provision Is not anv inciuient procead
/ fDr nh TAIN ,,cl
violation ot ihIs provision of the constitution ~
the maurGtiOn Of such pruceeiinga Or. is IL
intended tn cvade This provision of she consti,u
ton, by p"stPoning the aciiGrI recent of I'll,
/ 'cmolmment." till after the Presidents ..hiol
trust" shall cease? This would be a mere mil
bic upon the term receive" in its application t,
: time ONLY. Such an attempt at evasion neve,
Can be sanctioned ny the III. of Il.
TO shew, that this coz tiutional provision wa,
intended 20 protect Congress against precisel,
such Observation-Disclosures as is exertei throurl
tins message, nothing will be necessary in the
Judgment of the writer. but to read the message
I'm connection with the provision; and for the
reader then TO consult his own moral and com
mon sense upon the fair Interpretation of both
i! this view of the subject had occurred to the
H. OF X. surely some of the debaters, instead =,
the unsavot adml ition which dihused its IA
vor, through great part of the debate. wouIJ
nave moved To return the non-desCript to the
President; as tending. perhaps inadvertentIy tn
violate or evade, by precedent 10 be used in
all the future movements If the government, , an
important provision of the constitutions INVOLVING
| considerations OF the highest delicacy in the in
| tercourse between the President ard CONGRESS-
| In the Judgment of the wri e. The honor and
! purity Of The House imperouslv called for this
! disposition OF The message. Acting upo., this
non-dcscrlpt IN ans view, must be considered as
4 co operation of the ". of r. with the President
in this extraordinary fancied improvement upon
| the constitution. Ii must be considered as an
acceptance OF the invitation of the President to
take ucpeut measures for his own 'emoument. Il,
whilst In Office, TO be cOnsummated afterwards
! Wherever this message goes, and. is respected
| the wrfcr thinks, suspicion will and ought TO
accompany IT. The indlscreet promptitude of
| the chairman of the select committee upon its
| first presentation indicates, the writer fears
previous concert.-!hese considerations are
greatly enhanced by the avowal, that in lien of
the deIlcacy in the intercourse between the Pre-.
sideDt and Congress, marked out by the consLi-
tuition, new rule IS introduced, new precc
dent is furnisiie for a the future movements of
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of course the
| members of the Senate and House of Rerresen
tatives, and thus including all the persons, by
whose co operation alone, money can constitn
tiouallv be drawn from the treasury This the
most alarming part ofthc subject alone furnish
es tue most extensive scope for reflection and
anticipation. But one chief object of the wri
ter now is, TO correct, if he can, erroneous i'm
pressions, which must be produced upon the
public mind, BY Interpretations in the debate
doubtlessly unintentional, in relation to subjects
it 81, -,