Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-03-31
11a 1DtG>


The eOficia' at Washington, has cautiously
cvaded an answer to question, why President
jackson did not make his nominations to the Senate
then in session, instead of making them three days
after that body had adjournede, We knew that the
question was a hard one.-we scarcely expected the
veracous Duff to answer it. He could not answer
1t even Ptausdty, with all the advantage of the Ii
censc which he claims when speaking of matters OF
fact. His mendacious ingenuity could invent no pro-
bable excuse for so irregular, unprecedented and
improper proceeding. The Senate adjourned on
Tuesday, and the President on the succeeding Thurs
day. appointed Kendall, Hill and Lewis to import
ant offices. Why could not these appointments have
been made on Tuesday, and in the regular constitu-
tiona manner by and with the ADVICE and consent of
the Senate? Will it be pretended, that Tuesday,
President Jackson had not made up his mind to re-
move Messrs. Lee, Cuts and Watkins, and give their
offices to his two editors, Kendall End Hill, and his
not his mind made up long before' There is but
answer that can be given. He had made up his
mind. He had determined to reward Kendall and
Hill, and his committee man. He hud determined
to sacrifice to them, every way unexceptionable
and he did not make known his purpose to the Sc
nate because he suspected, and we hope not ground
lessy, that the Senate could not be prevailed upon to
rahfy it. He was sensible that his previous selec-
tlons had already shaken the allegiance of that body
and that their further complaisance could not be de-
pended upon. These were his motives for deferrinp
the appointment of Kendall Hill aud Lewis until
after the Senate had adjourned, and when his arbi
trary will was no longer liable to the checks and mo-
dications provided by the constitution. Meantime,
the Editors and Mr.. Lewis enter upon the duties of
their offices, enjoy their salaries until the meeting of
Congress, and when the Senate acts upon their ap-
pontment, their friends will urge argument for
their continuance, the fact that they already in.
This was the reasoning beyond doubt, which induced
the Hero to postpone their appointment until after
the Senate adjourned. What respect it denotes for
the constitution, which cOpcrs coordinate authority
on the Senate in making appointments to office, let
the people decide. We cannot imagine any thing
more disrespcct full TO the Senate 1t is saying in effect
81 Will not trust you to act upon these appointments
i'll the first instance-I will wait until you adjourn
before | make them--and at your next session, YOU
will ratlfy them, because they have already taken
effect"
The official" modestly disclaiDs, that he, Major
Lee, Kendall and Hill, are the "power behind the
throne which regulates the will of the President
folly to imagine, that public opinion approves of the
appointment of Partizan Editors to office, Does he
suppose, that the American people do not perceive
that this principle, for the first time introduced
strikes at the freedom and independence ofthe Press
by holding ont the reward ofpubic office to it's con-
ductors for supporting particular mem Does he
think, that the intimate association of the President
with himself, Maj. Lee Kendall Hill and Eaton, and
the belief that they exercise invisible but irresis
tibe influence over his mind, and the measures (
Government, gives any satisfaction to the public? IF
Mr.. Richie will pardon US for trespassinp on his ma
nor of Shakespeare, will entreat Gen. Green in
the language of another of his favorite quotations
''not to lay the fattering unctcn to his soul" Let
him be assured, that the Virginin community I'VE in
fer the sense ofthe national community from the fee
ling of dis) is astouDded and mortified at the gene
raj complexion Of the Presidents selections-in par
tcuar at his unecling prescription of many old poor
and worthy servants oftlle pubic-at his bestowal
of Office upon his personal creatures, men who are re-
warded out of the public Golfers not for any pubHc
service, but for their devotion to his erson-and most
particularly from the prevalent persuasion that the
ear OF Gen. jackson IS possessed, and the great pat
ronage Of the nation guiled, by men Of debauched
lives and abandoned morals. Who is it that doubts
tins! And who that believing, is so lost to the no.
nour and dignity of his country as TO approve? We
speak not now of the sentiments of the late admins
traton party; but speak of the sentiments
OF the Jackson party itself That they are dis
appointed and mortifed--tlIat their confidence
IN the discrimination of Cen Jackson is terribly and
universally shakcn-that many of them doubt in tbcir
hearts, the prudence of their own act in choosing him
Presidcnt-that they begin to see, that they wereI
amused with representations of abuses under the Adj
of Mr.. Adams that never in truth exist
ed-that they were gulled by promises of reform and
benefit that cannot be accomplished, and stimulated
to pitch of political passion, for which there never
was any sufficient foundation in fact-aIl these truths