Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-05-25

most ailicts met is the principle upon which this
is attempted to be justified: it is the danger to
the public interest, from new and inexperen,,
ced officers, TO manage our complicated concern, and
and above all, the alarming doctrine of absolute Ec-
ecuttoe ciH These only affecting, but alarm
ing The SfGtes have hitherto looked to The Senate
as their chief security BY the Constitution 1t was
established for the very purpose of guarding against
the popular branch ofhe Legislature the hand,
and the President, who, by his election is chiefly
popular Executive on the other. 1t just as ne
cessary that the Senate should hold erecwre
legislative eheck Suppose some great political CUES
ton should arise. Suppose party should wish to
diminish, and annhate the powers of the States.
aud transfer every thing to the General Government;
and that, to accomplish the views of the popular
branch and the popular President, all the nominations
of Judicial and other officers should be made the
Senate, the guardian of State rights, from this par
ty--w ould it then be centended that we could in
quire no farther but into the qualifications of the Off
Ger noInlnated!-that we could not look beyond his
talents and integrity Imagine, further, that we
should be engaged in disastrous war. and threat
ened with entire conquest, and that there was but
one mdn-one Woshinston who, as Commander in
Chief of our armies could probably us, but the
President should nominate another, qualified, to be
sure, but not pre-emineutly equal To the
crisis as the otlier-sshould then be told we can
not look behind the qualifications of the candidate!
Sir, to test principle it is fair illustration
CINE criss, and then apply TO it the limited powers
| OF the Senate which contended for.
| never expected to witness the time when ma
orty of the Senate should surrender it's powers to
! the Executive Shief, nor even, when il should be
slow to stand for its rights What Sir the Senate
of the United States, the representatives of
twenty four sovereign,es once the most au-
gust desemblage in the world-once the niexble
guardSns OF state rights against federal encroach-
ment, now yielding to the President almost the last
ves'ige OF its Executive power, VIVA; patriot. who
observes the signs the times but must doplnre
this obsequoiisness and humiliation of the Senate of
the United Stairs?
Sir, in this symptoms of monarchy more
strong and Palpabie than those which disturbed the
nerves ofthe Senator from Louisiana. (Mr Livnrs
TOM He has given a vivid description of the
rnt inauguration of the first President OF the United
Sates and he then imagined that he saw in the ex
sravagant and enthusiastic adulstion OF the man.
symptoms of a monarchIcal tendency. I too, Sir
think that eXtavagant adulation alteration of men
should not be encouraged, it tends to de.ach orr
affections from our Institutions and to fix them upon
those who have contributed most 10 establish them,
perpetual, habitua praise Of Individual has but
too often ccnvert the atorers into slaves and tho
paiorcd into tyrant. But suspect that in the case
to which he alludes, he (bogginr his pardop)
little fastidious, If not capriclous Washington had
been too we'll tried, and too firm par..t to he
seduccd by batteries, adulatons or hosannas And
besides, Sir there not apology, if not i,Isti
fcation, fer this pageantry, Web endured tho
disresses oftbe revolutionary Observation-Disclosures en- had
to say the least, beea chief actor in that war G. had
contributed more than any other successful ter
minnton. Peace came. but peace found IS Door
distracted, and united only by "a rope of sand'-
Something was necessary 10 place Us on an ecua.
energies. q
ton vas to be foTmod-he object was accomplished
and principally by his agency He was unnnipous-
ly elected the first Chief Magistrates to put the ma
chine in motion and to give the new Government an
inpctus. whirh should secure its successful
The people looked back upon the past-upon the
OF the struggle, and the conseGpn, anarchy
they looked forward with hopeful prophecy to the
future tor an end of their tolls prosperity lher
~ and happiness which they have since enioyed in
tuli fruto1. Was 1t then, strange, that wit h such
prospect before them, they should have INDUCED IN
an extravaganza OF JOY and to have dolzed the M IN
who had done much, and was destined az tbnv
believed, to do SO much more? Yet am agains,
idoZlng any man. have heard of a celebration of
the last eighth of JAM, the anniversary Of q single
rtctory-The cases were veryd. :tcrent-one had sa
we'd city alter peace, and the other had conquer
ed a peace and saved his country Here too was
spacious palaces splendid dome; Mt one end was
erected "a throne, and over it was "a canopy' which
was surrounded by the ladies of the palace. This
palace was filed to OVERLOOKING with youth elegance
and beauty; they engaged in the mazy dance
when he word was given, and all was hushed and
still as deaths the company separated an avenue
was formed the trumpe's sound and 10! he comes,
the conqueripg hero comes, supported and sustained
blythe grandees of the empire, and conducted up to
the thrones be bowed graciousy TO the ladies' of his
court, mounted the steps, and was seated on the
throne
Was tho Senator from Louisiana personalities
he one OF the dignitaries who conducted his males
ty UP? Sure am, no could better deserve the
distiuction but if he there, and thought ofhe
SN.hC Ut ANtW IVhA Uhu Ndpp'neu TO cross his mlnd
what must have been his reflections? Then he was
in the hey-day of youtl.-'bc blood ran quick, and
the pulse bent strong and hope ready to seze on
fruiton. Hoioc he had arrived, to say the least to
the meridian of life. when assumes the en-
pire ofthe passions. and all predic tons tend 10
the gloomy side. Sir, he must have looked with in
dignaton on the disgusting scene, and with down
cast eye and heavy heart have turned his back, and
with slow end pensive step have retired his home
lamenting sincerely at this dismal and fatal symptom
of the destruction of his countrys liberty. I don't
know that there Mark Anthony there who
"thrice did offer HIM kingly crown. which be did
thrice refuse No, that would have been prema-
ture. Then, the Rubicon had not been passed. then,
the outposts had net been surrendered; then the
Senate had not yielded up all lite executive powers
and accorded to the President unlimited g. bound
less discretion. After all this has been done crocn
is matter OF course; it but symbol of the pov-
ers surrendered-fhe seal and sign manual of the deed
ofsHrrender.
Sir, would not look upon 1.-THE signs OF the tines
with jaundlced eve; II is not my ha hit II; desmond