Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-15
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MICBIGAN--THE YOUNG GOVERNOR.

|
OF hs Territory by the President, and the ucual
dcyo!vment of the duties of Governor upon him,
| by the translation of Gov. Cass to Washington,
hos created the utmost Indignation i'll that territory
and arguing az it docs, tho most wanton and cor
rupt spirit of favoritsm, and shameful disrcspect
to the laws of tho land, the feelings of the people,
and the acquisitions of proprety and the fitness of
things, will certainly undergo the scvcrest
tiny of Congress, if it do not occasion the impcach
mcnt of the reckless author Of audacious an in
suit to public feeling. The young gentleman be-
! ing waited upon by committee of the citizens of
Detroit, depu:ed for that purpose, confessed Inc
but twenty years of pge, and thut tho fact was
| kroua to Gen. Jackson. This youth is nephew of
| VIM. I. Barry, Post Muster General, leading
| partner of the firm of Kendall, Lewis & Co-thut
firm which for the sins Of this generatlon Iulo.
| with unlimited sway, People and President. Tho
fact is sufficient to slew, that Mason is indebted for
his advancement entirely TO fdroritism, that bane
of all good government; that to obtain the most
distinguished, lucrative md responsible Offices, Il
| is not necessary to be either lcarned experience
| ed, or eminent or even man in point of years;
that to be q tavorite, or the son. or nephew of
i favorite, to ottan the countenancc of Eaton hus
band wife, or Barry, Lewis is worth more than
scars acquired in the field of battle, or eninence
conferred by talent, virtue experience! We most
regousy believe, that neither William " nor Lou
| is Philip, with crowns their heads, would have
ventured would havo dared thus to insult the pride
and manhood OF their subjects If we know any
thing of Republican feeling; if the indignation
which burns in our own bosom, be true interprc-
ter of what must be felt in the Lreest of every free
man who learn, the circumstances of Mason's ap.
pointment, this fragrant ihdignity not to the Poo
pie of Michigan only, but to the whole Union, will
| be deeply vcngcd. ALI history proves that man.
kind will not long bear the rule of favortes. The
yoke of tho master however oppressive, may be
endured-but the insolence of minions and favor
ties, will rpt be tolerated. Men of Virginia! proud
ye are, and justly proud, will ye submit to have
the nonours and dignities of your country, lavshed
by supomnnuated and favorite ridden President,
guided and confronted by knot of paltry adven-
turcrs, upon Joyst
The official duties devolved upon m aster Govern.
or Mason, of the greatest responsibility. That
they may be understood and apprcciated-that the
conduct Of Gen. Jackson, may be at one view,
in its true and shameless colors that it's fagrant
| improperly may be SO apparent that not a man who
| has any respect for his understanding will
dare to Eft up his voice in its defence; that the in
suit he has given to public decency and sentiment
may be felt and resented as it deserves we extract
the following from the remonstrance of tho People
of Detroit to the President:
Your memnalsts would respectfully, but earnestly and
firmly renons,ras against .he commi,al discretion
Of one so young and uniformed and inexperienced of
the powers which the Ordinance and the several
Acts of Congress provide shall he exercised by the Sec
retary i'll contingency, HIGH has hitherto often hap
Pcned and is likely frequently occur, hereafter.
They would request ofyou the perusal of the seveta
provisions in those INSTRUMENTS
The third clause OF the Ordinance l797.
tbat there shall be appointed from time time 10y Con
gress Secretary whose commission shall continue in
force tour years unless revoked; nc shall reside
IN the District and have freehold therein in 500
acres oland, while in tile exercise Of his Office Il shall
re ms duty 10 keep and preserve the and laws pass
ed 10y the legislature and the public records Dis.
trc' and The proceedings of the Governor m his Execu
tive Department.; and transmit, authentic copies OF such
acts and proceedings svery months Congress IL
further provides, 'that the Governor the time being
shall he Commander i'll Chief OF The Militia, appoint aud
commission all Officers in the sane, below the rank of
General nfficer"
ne second section Of the act of Congress of 1882
provides that IN case ofthe death, removal resignation
urccssafy absence fhe Governor the said Teruto
y the Secretary thereof shall be- he hereby author
wed and required 10 execute all The powers and perform
all lie duties Of The Governor, during the vacancy
siohed by the REMOVAL resignation, necessary absence
OF the said Governor"
The third section of,he act Of Congress of 1872 pro-
vde "thal the Official duties of the Secretary Of ssd
e:Tiory shall he under the control of such laws as are
or may be III force in said Territory"
ihe third section efihe &C, of Congress Of 1906 by
winch Michigan was set apaS provides shat he duties
ana emoumrnts of Superintendent of Indian Affairs
shah be united with those of Governor"
ne MIN section OF the OF Congress Of 1923,
vhfs THAT the Governor Of the said Territory shall have
power 10 grant pardOns for offences against the laws OF
me SAID Territory, and repreveS for those against tbs
United STATES until the decision of tue President thereon
shall he known
Your memnralists would srnphatically ask whether il
was ever Contemplated by the grave Law givers of the
Union, That powers - n1pmenous-so
haueh' IN their exercise with consequences Of wcal or
weo 10 the dearest rights Of the people OF Michigan
should he for moment entrusted nns-1hoR1 ne lar
docs not inrat icifk ne right Of Suffrage who has not
YET attained The age, which he would eligible l1y
The act OF Congress, TO any civil office tr1aseyer under
I'VE erorlai laws 10 one, whose minority itself is an
appsT'f, papahle disqualification from holding FREE
ou eSf1fe oil solitary af land unless convened
IN trust for specific purposes Whether one whom, his
iatheT has heIeofOse employed only as an assistant
o4ek, sna be presumed 10 possess such precociy Of
talent. weight OF character and strength of Judgment as
to sniille him TO this high disiucti1n,
oha' DC expected Of independent FTsen,cn mutire
age ana understanding having valuable inteTestS-pro
perry reputation, characier-eyery thing al stake that
Rey should ainry submit which places ali they
hold near az The hazard rf n discretion 10 be exercised
~ mere yo"ih rHdfr toenty years IF ogc-n Ind not
0"t Of hls fesl! Can such Individual he supposed
% Oe sufficiently acquainted with the versities of human
character, oexcrcise wisely the right of making unpor
abt civ and military dppoinments;of decdine correct
" On The inuluarioUs, and difficult uues,ions lay yrov
mlg OUT Of ~ compile aed relations with tha Indian
lrlbes OF exercising discreey, the important power Of
pHIdnnlng Offenders! Can such be deemed suff
ccniy capable IF gayeiy confcTrg with the erative
OF such cnactmen the varied rights and interests pC lie
cIzens OF This Territory from time require or even
~ consirung accurately the Laws passed for the reuuls
non ~ ms limited and more peculiar duties as Sgcrsiarv2