Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-08-11

jealous than our attestatlons OF Its I'M
portance. Experience had sadly shewn,
to what dangerous corruptions s. abuse
of the executive patronage, desire Tor
reelection had often carried the most well
meaning ofour Chief f,Magistrates;-a re-
election, in which the great body Of the
People take no active part; reelection
supported chiefly from mercenary mofires,
by paid band of rapacious oflice-hold-
ers-clamorous for the continuance of
their pay-aud lcious in their department
Insulting to the pcople-and reckless
of the consequences of their cupidity.-
Experience had also proved that it not
only warped the integrity Of the Presi-
dent, but destroyed his independence,
impaired his vigor, and distracted his at
tention; his solcitude being directed
from his country to himsell,-and the pub
lie interest sacrificed to personal ambi-
ton. 1t was found even to contaminatc
our morals and corrupt he public press;
the eagcrness of the incumbent to secure
his renewed lease of power, leading him
to acts from which the patriot would re-
volt, as criminal and unjust; as fatal to
the rights and destructive to the liberty of
the citizen. How shall we express our
astonishment and grief that Andrew
Jackson should have brought himself
within the possible sphere Of such evils
But we must supersede our admiration,
by declaring our determination not to
sustain him in course so baneful to his
country, and blighting to the lustre of
his own glory.
The Hppo'atmem Of Members Of Con-
gress has been the prolific source of the
most dangerous collusion between the
Legislative and executive branches of
Government. 1t holds out the lure ofof-
flee to the Representatives of the Peo-
pie, enticing them to a dereliction Of their
duty; and rewards the plant tool of ex-
ecutlve pleasure, who may botray his
country, or violate his oath. The Con-
stltutlon itself, has attempted by an ex-
press provision, to guard against this inn
pure collision ofthe two separate branch
cs of government, where it declares
section 6, "hot no MenJer Of Congress
shall be appointed 10 any c0ice which pas
created, or The emoluments whereof mere
augmented, during The term for which he
ros elected. We rcrite the article to
show, that the spirit Of this constitutional
exclusion, clearly extends to the inhibi-
ton Of all appointments from the Mem
bcrs Of Congress. Even on the suppo-
sition that no direct possible corruption
existed, in such an application of exccu-
tive patronage: still the undue influence
which 1t must exercise over Congress,
cannot but ultimately lead to conse quen-
ces as pernicious as the most open and
high handed corruption. The mere fact
OF beng ELIGIBLE to HoNoRs * REWARDS
from the Executive, is sufficient to make
our Representatives pliablc instruments
of power, instead ofinhcXibIe champions
of freedom, and faithful agents to their
constituents. The saying of Walpolc,
that every man has his price, expresses
a ialllble trait of the human character that
ought to construct every possible barrier
against temptation. When even patri-
OF like Andrew Jackson can forego his
purpose, and renounce his resolves, at
the beck Of ambition, how shall we trust
those of less firmness, or more lrailty =
When, in an evil hour, he threw wide o.
pen this door to corruption, the patriot
was lost in the politician, and the art of
the demagogue triumphcd over the hon
esty of the republican.
On this subject, we must quote his
own words, in his letter to the legislature
Of Tennessee-'"There is no truth more
sacred in politics." says Gen. Jackson,
land none more conclusively stamped
upon all the State Constitutions, as well
as the Federal Constitution, than that
which requires the three great depart
ments OF power, the legislative, judicial, \
and executive, to be kept separate and
apart. But simple and manifest as this
truth is, the difficulty of arriving at it in
practice, with constitutional restraints, still
remains, and presents IA question, wheth-
er the wisdom and virtue of the present
generation, with "a view to amendment
IN this important matter, may not be use-
fully employed"
with view to sustain more enectu-
ally, IN practice, the axiom which divides
the three great classes of power into in
dependent constitutional checks, WOULD
IMPOSE PROVISION, RENDERING EVERY
OF CONGRESS INELIGIBLE TO Of
FICE, UNDER THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT,
DURING THE TERM FOR WHICH HE WAS E.
LEcTED, AND FOR TWO YEARS THEREAF-
TER, except in case of judicial Office"
'Ihe effect Of such a constitutional pro-
vision is obvious. BY it Congress, in
considerable degree, would be free from
hat connexion with the executive de-
'artment, 'chich at present goes strong
grounds Of APPREHENSION and JEALOUSY
N The part Of he people. Members, in.