Delaware patriot & American watchman., 1828-08-26

GOJn JllD N1GaG1@AS.
1Ae Presidential Question.
No. III.

subject to Great Eritain, which Tor its boldness.
rs couuencc and its .ruth, fxcd upon it the gaze
ct an admirng and astoElshed world, contains the
following paragraph, :" We hold these truths to
be self evident that all men created equal
that they are endowed by their creator with GER
tain unalenabe rights: that among these are
life, Liberty. and me pursuit Of happiness. That
to secure these rights governments are instituted
amorg men, deriving their Just powers from the
consent Of the sore:aTd," 20 this we may add that
the powers 50 delegated are sacred trusts placed
in the hands of the officers Of government. Ibis
is the th d principle for which contend against
Mr.. Adams and his party ard which my be ex-
pressed more concscly in the following terms,
That all po@er springs from TIE peopie, and their
officers are mere trast2es who hotd that power-
The principle that all power springs from the pee
pie, is indeed self evident truth, principle
which is the basis of every government, whether
monarchica or republican, but which i: more ap-
parent in republic iaan in any other form IN
it the choice of the officers is right vested d!-
rectly in the people, and the representatives whom
they elect are the mere organs OF their will to
the people are the acts of their Offices to be sub
mltted, they Judge Of them and have the power to
annui or ratty them in fact on every point whcth
er legislative executive they are the supreme
judges, reserving to themselves the power OF
rewardiDg the meritorious Of lnfictlng punish
ment upon those who have acted contrary to their
instructions and interests
However self evident may be the truth Of this
principle, and however strongly It may be IN ac-
cordance ~ith the republican spirit of our govern
ment. MIR. Adams appears early to have lost
sight of it, so early in fact, as 1907. A motion
was then made 10 the Senate to postpone the con
sideration Of the bill LAYING embargo on our
shipping. In opposing postponement to obtain
further information, and to consider a msG sure OF
Such M Mt r
Adams made this memorable declaration. The
! President has recommended the measure on his
I high responsibility; | would not consider, would
not deliberate, | would act. Doubtless the Pre-
sident possesses such further information as will
Justify the measure.o Here sir, is Senator of the
United States. representing sovereign State
avowing doctrine which puts to nought, the prln
ciple that the officers the mere trustees OF the
power given by the people. II the president should
propose any measure, however deleterious to our
rights to our freedom and to country, Mr.. Ad-
ANS would not oppose il, because, in sooth it en-
anated from the president Upon the principles all
yanced BY John Qnincy Adams, what become OF
the checks and balances which are the pillars
OF his fathers "great wok (as it has been called)
r or the American Constituents OF government By
the Constitution Of the United States, the Senate
and House of Representatives intended as
checks upon the acts Of each other, and both as
checks upon those If the President. The senti.
+, ment expressed by Mr.. Adams resolves the whole
business OF legislation agalnts the will Of the exc
r cutiye" 81" Here Sir, he vests supreme power in
: the president he merges the legislative in the ey
ecutiye, and marks the president in every thing an
= independent officer, untrammelled unopposed, and
all powerful. Again IN different situation which
he himself is president of this Country.w .when he him
sell ills that situation SO en,iable while check
' upon its authority is to be seen. he saws. I" While
IpcS Spu nit az ppIo
which is pnwer than ourselves, adj, ancing with
9ignatc strides in the cause Of public improve
y mcnt, were We To slumber in ndolvnce. and fol,
. UP our arms and proclaim to the world that re ar
) Fai>ied By The wW ot our constituents would it no
be to cast away the bounties OF providence ant
!" doom ourselves to perpetual lnierriority :" Sc,
u N,les-vo. 20 p. 24O. In these too sentiments o
I MIR. Adams, mark sir, what charges are threatened
: to our constitution In the first place he make
,, Tie representation entirely independent of tn
~ Constitution "were We to be ralsled by the will 0
= our eonstitueuts' &c. he, (the representative
" must not be accountable to the people for his acts
y" let him do what he will, let him disregard the in
terests of the union, Of the state from which h
-, came, let him trampie upon the dearest rights O
= the nation, he Is amenablc to no tribunal. he
- placed beyond the reach OF the people, from whor
&c all power emanates, and il whom all power
= vested. In the second place, the executive as
W W sumes all legislative power $ The president ha
recommended the measure on his h.h responsible
- ity. would not consider. | would not dcbprat,
would act with him, would yield up to him a
power he should possess every thing, be free frol
- ever restraint, no check whatever should be pl5
- ced upon him, but he should revel IN all the luXnr
a Of unlimited authority. Sir, are not such DO
49, rines trca.onabc they nut sub: crsve of ever
g g article in our constitution, and # We the peop
o tanie'y submit to them, do we not WELD oursey,
~ up as slaves, abandon our nights and cstabli.
~ really, though not nomlnally, monarchy. In II
:" first number dron this subject We have seen NJ
.taatns advocating the :. line ul safe precedent.
;, and anpnintinq hl, snccessnr In niice In thn se