The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-09-10
Respectfully, yours, &c.
JOHN BRANCH

in the event OF any member OF the Senate do
slrng further investigation.
Respectfully, yours, &c.
JOHN BRANCH
Mr. President As cannot consistently
with u sense oi duty. eve Silent, vote on The
present occasion, | mist ask the indulgence Of
the Senate for few moments, while shall al
tempt IN a Ilnin, lraals and brief manner. to
give them the reasons why am unwilling 10
advise aud consent to TIN, appointment.
am duly impressed with the momentons du-
" We are about 10 perform, aud the importance
of the crisis, connected with the deep RESPONSE
bty which attaches 10 each and every mem
Der anl hence my solictudc to arrive AT truth
by the best reflection which have been capa-
BILE OF bestowng ON the subject
To guide and direct us on this. as well as eve
ry other occasion, II may be we'll first. TO look
! to the commission under which, and from winch
we derive all ON powers, TO wit: the GolHttlu-
ton Of the United States which we have all Ia
ken a solemn oath q preserve, maintain aud de
fcnd, not IN the letter only but according 10 ITS
true intent aud meaning While readily admh
that the letter, and, perhaps, the figid cohsiruc
ton of that instrument does not impefanVely
forbi the confirmation OF this nomination yet
hazard nothing IN saying that every reason
which could have operated on the Convention to
induce them TO inscit the following clause, APP
plies with Increased force 10 influence the Sen
ate 10 reject the distinguished individual,
whose nomination We are now abouito act upon.
The clause is as follows
& No Senator Of Representative shall, during
the tune for winch hp was elected, he appointed
II any civil office under the authority OF the u
nted States which shalI have been created or
the cnolumruts whereof shall have ten mcrca,-
. /, du ing such tune and no person holding any
Office under the United state, hall be mem
Der Of either house during ms continuance IA Of
fee
would ask why aud wherefore is il that no
member o either House is permitted To bold an
50icc which he has assisted to create, OF the r
monuments ofwhich have been increased by has
vote Because, sr, II was wisely ioresern that
hf nigh be inine need 10 vote for thu one OF tn
other from mrrcenary OF Interested motives
What is the present case Henry Clay, amcm-
Der Of the House OF Representatives, his made,
OF, il you please, has mainly Contributed to make
john q Adams President of these Ii ited states,
aud this President, thus made IN opposition 10
tie known will and wishes OF the American pe"-
pie, and under circumstances OF an eEtiaoidmh-
~ character, has called upon the Senate OF The
United States To advise aud consent thai the ELI
cent friend, a member OF the very House that
- AZ conferred ON INN the Chief Magestracy Of
this republic should be made Secretary Of State.
wou,n respectfully ask whether, IN sancioninR
OF confirming this nomination, weare not inlrlns.
ing on the obvious policy oithc Constitution For
If member may b. supposed to vote to create
an office, TO increasf the salary, with view
TO his individual gam, may hc not with as much
propIirty bt suspected of voting from sordid or
interested considerations. when he makes an Of
fcer who in turn gives him IN office / will not
trespnss Oh the time OF the Senate, by any far
tber effort TO illustrate aud enforce the GOMEZ
dence ofthe reasons in tho two cases. They
must be apparent To every intelligent mind. A.
j gam, waving all objections VIII IN nanestly re-
suit from the foregoing considerations, J would
ask, whether from "a decent icspecl topoblic sen
tnent, we ought not TO put our veto on this 40
mndtion am not prepared TO assert positive
" that corruption has ming ed with tins tlansac-
ton but this much feel authorised Ia say and
believe, that the circumstances connected with
the recent Pr sidcntal election and this nominal
ton are sufficient 10 fix on the public mind the
strongest suspicious that they have been cheated
out OF tIelr rights by corruption and intrigue
aud inasmuch our government is based OF
public confidence, IT Is of the very last impor
lance that onr foundation be well guarded. 1ht
administration OF the government should mot on
~ be pure but its purity, as far practicable
should not be suspected. Let rs view things a
they existed in practical life. The Senate wa
prudenuy designed to act as a check ON the ap
pointing power, not, admit to he exercised ca
pdoiously, hui fearIessly, and independently
nhpn the public good requires. How often nav
We enlogiZed aud boosted OF our republican IN
stilutlouN our happy distribution OF the power
ofthc government the sautarv checks and ba
ances TO be found IN constitution, and the q
fectual barriers which have been provided TO pre-
vent the encroachment of either upon the pow
crs Of the other, and the consequent protectlo
TO all classes and interests But If these thing
are only 10 bc found in the theory of our govern
l mcnt, would moi give fig for them. The dI
ierent departments should IA some respects 1
cop>dcrcd ds rivals, each watching every oppo
: tunty TO strengthen Its,lf and weaken its rya
, Let us. therefore, be yigildnt in the exercise
r constitutional powers. guarded a well
!. ganst open a. aut as covert lnsidious encroac
ment. For. however lofty aud hgh-soundn
r may be the sentiment winch we something's he;
e uttered of independence of the people the legit
o mate proprietors of this government; yet tn
. Independence, connected with dependence G
the dispensing power, is iraught with the mo