Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-04-27
CON- and IL

IL longer dispute about names, SUCH as te-
deralist or Republican: Ultra Fcderalst or Demo
craft National Republican, Statc-veto Republican,
Or any other cant words phrases, With which TO
decevc the public and rally partizars round our re-
spocvc standards
1t is dispute in which is involved the preservation
OF our republican institutions and constitution Il
beriira.
The issues fiirly joined upon the grcat fun
damentai principles of the government, without
card TO party names
The majority contend that the President has the
power TO remove Federal officers, of Tic class
before and tina, the Senate has right inquire
into the canse of removal; but must presume tie
cause to have heen lawful! And cannot restrain the
PRESIDENT III abusive exercise of that power but
must rely on impeuclng him by the House of Repre-
sCutat:vcs!
The minority deny ali these postions except the re-
moving power for cause, and claim that the settled
practice ofthe Senate shall be adhered to. That the
provisional power of removal from Office by Presi-
cent when it exists at all is high legal trust, to be
exercised only for the public benefit, in sound discre
ton for relating tho tcia conduct or fitness
OF the incumbent; and should be perverted from
its hg, purposes those par;izan warfare or per-
sonal vengeance, Tor opinous sake, or the exercise
Of the elective franchise make room for rewards
tcr votes, or influence in Presidential Elections
or, III word, to purposes of tyranny and bribery
combined.
We contend for the restraining powers ofthe Sc
nate OF the United States rs understood by the CO.
temporary expounfe-s OF the Federal Constitution,
IN matters OF dispacng well of appointing Fe-
Geral Officers; in opposition to arbitrary Executive
discretion, and servity to Executive will. and of
rendering the Senate the vena register of Executive
eGcts! For The freedom ofinqulry into the exercise
OF Executive discretion and official trusts; OPPOSE
ton to Executive irresponsibty. and screening the
Executive from the light truth By suppression of
Tree inquiry into public affairs i'll the Identical
cases OF removal now before the Senate.
We contend for the freedom and purity of elections,
lfnawed by official punishments and interrupted BY
Official rewards; IN opposition to removals from, Of
lice for such causes those above stated
Here are the issues joined between us; and from,
Your decision, should il be against and against all
your own former decisions ofthe same questions when
ether men were in power, we will appeal to the PEG
pie Of the United States, whose behalf contend
aud who always honest, when rightly inorUaedo
the merits OF
These questions of vastly iuDrc Importance to
the permancncy and purity of liberties and to the
great cause offree governments laws, contra
distinguished from arbitrary governments of Execn-
tive will, than either of the Presidential Questions Of
themselves, that have ugitatcd this republic since
4ounation andof more Importance thnn any question
of public policy, political economy, eXpediency
that has divided the counses C. nation during the
lapse of half a century.
These are the only questions on which felt any
desire to address the Senate. lily former remarks
snrang out from the occasions that produced them;
but on these feel compelled by the verbal and writ
ten injunction of some of the great minority in Mis-
souli. to present their views and my own.
With that minority have hayi the honor act for
many years, through good and through evil report, in
all the attacks made upon the the Constitution oihe
Union in that State. in the shape of relief laws Judge
breaking; stop laws; and the oaI-office act-tbat
bold attempt issue bills of credit by the authority
ola State to retrieve the fallen fortunes of adrentn
and spectators, violation Of the letter and sp
ut of that instrument.
III ali attacks upon that best legacy Of auces-
tors. the act Of Union have stood together,
times III uInortles, against the powers of interest
and ignorance; knowing that the preservation of its
principles, checks and rants chiefly distinguish
our government of law and liberty, from those de-
spohc governments of arbitrary Executive discretion
that have SO long despoled the best rights Of man
over the greater portion OF the earth.
And in thus most fearful of all attacks ever made
upon the Constitu.ion--introducng four years des
potism, if the President be disposed; and striking
at elective franchise the root of constitution
al liberties, we will stand together again. whether in
majority or minority and invite all who love the
President much but love their country more, to join
with and rally around the standard of the Consli
tuition.
1t is no question whether President raay remove,
his own will and pleasure, his Secretary of State?
a. It was he very question before Congress- In the
: IL debate of 1859.
5FSat officer is the pen in tho hand of the
, such to write with-boundto do Just such things
ies'denr -rbcd by the personal orders of the Pre-
= are pres tiers for which the President himself is
cent IN ma, the head of the Executive Depart
sPohsIble as uently he must exercise his freedom
'it; and conso could he be responsible?
I'D such caso a. dying the lawful right in the
'S.uon, by aI'Lnn,,, INSTRUMENT when he pleased
5oboJ, dismiss this force disagTecab!e mem
q 10 Cabnef IN ths tween them. And the
~ ronn;ros bnTroou-, H. Grundy,) might have
'ator from Tennessee, Mr. TO prove THIS; Tor 10
resl himself III his argument r,uoo
had denied or disputed it. oI ~ express
sin Mr. DadsoD, in the oeha oi,, Ss sb,oo,
TIE opinion that wont0n Ts,nHc the law had
ie President, ana l'oI V nt~atbongl the removal
resident to impeac!nDv, LIVER to tnakt fore human
ivcn him the ooSolut' ascertaiDed b. boy for
If the motive coulr - ,onId chastisc L d motive,
breaking his ratuc Non' " ian the
~ for bad purfese: -. .--ro, more t, .onfer-
.I,oth 81
5n tbs nse CUT s3s for n hs
6Sa sht be in ssos5 Banas the 6St Ios
Of act before 9ioi au5oa Nv Madison
i, purely Republican. e that the Senate can, by