Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-27

4
following heads:
/. To establish the precedent Of one Presiden-
,ial term Of four years.
! 2. To make no appointment of Members OF
Congress; so as to preserve the integrity Of the
Legislature, from the corruption Of the executive
power and patronage.
| 5. To promote American Industry By an ade-
quate Tariff.
| 4. To promote Internal Improvement.
| 5. 70 establish the principle OF Rotation in
Office.
I The consent of Gen. Jackson to become a
| candidate for the second term, has violated bis
solemn and repeated pledge to his party, that he
would serve but four years, and thus establish
SOLITARY precedent, which would apply the axe
to the very root of political corruption No
thing could have been more emphatic and solemn,
than his declarations on this point; and nothing
more ardent and Jealous than our attestations Of
Its importance. Experience mas sadly shewD,
| to what dangerous corruptions and abuse OF the
executive patronage a desire for reelection had
| often carried the most well-meanng Of our Chief
Magistrates; a ELECTION in which the great DO.
dy Of the people took no active part:-a re-elec-
ton supported chiefly from merceDary motives,
by paid band of rapacious ohice-holders; clam
orous for the continuance of their pay -audacious
in their Notwithstanding to the people
and reckless Of the consequences of their cupid
| ity. Experience mad also proved that i. not on
ly warped the integrity Of the President, but
destroyed his independence, impaired his vigor,
and distracted his attenton:-his sollcitude be-
ing directed from his country to himself, and
the public interest sacrificed to personal ambi
ton 1t was found even to contaminate our
morals, and corrupt the public press;-the eager
ness Of the incumbent to secure his renewed
lease of power, leading him to acts from which
the patriot would revolt as criminal and unj just;
as fatal to the rights and destructive to the iber-
ty of the citizen. How shall We express our as
constituent and grief, that Andrew Jackson
should have broush himself within the possible
sphere Of such evils? But We must supersede
our administration BY drawing our determination
not to sustain him in course so baneful to his
country, and so blighing to the lustre Of his own
glory.
The appointment of Members of Congress has
been the prolific source IF the most dangerous
COLLISION between the legislative and executive
branches of the government. 1t holds ont the
lure of Office to the representatives of the peo-
pie, enticing them to dereliction of their duty;
and rewards the plant tool Of executive pleasure,
who may betray his country or violate his oath.
The constitution itself has attempted by an ex-
fusion Of the two separate branches Of the govern
ment, where il declares-section 6, :" that no
member of Congress shall be appointed to any
Office, which was created, or the em0lumeDts
whereof were augmented. during the term for
| which he was elected" We reCite the article,
to show that that the spirit of this constitutional
exclusion clearly extends to the inhibition of
all appointments from the members of Congress.
Even on the suppositi0n that no direct possible
corruption existed, in such an application of ex-
ecutive patronage, still the undue influence
which it must exercise over Congress, cannot
but ultimately lead to consequences as pernicious
as the most open and hish-handed corruption.
The mere fact of being eligible to honors and re-.
wards from the executive, is sufficient to make
our representatives pliable instruments Of power,
instead of inhexible champions Of freedom, and
faithful agents Of their constituents. The say
ing Of Wapole. that every man has his price,
expresses fallibe trait of the human character
that ought to construct every possible barrier
against temptation. When even a patriot like
Andrew Jackson can forego his purposes, and
| renounce his resolves. at the beck of ambition,
how shall We trust those of less firmness, or more
frailty? When, in an evil hour, he threw wide
open his door to corruption, the patriot was lost
IN the politician, and the art of the demagogue
triumphed over the honesty 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, "and none more conclu.
siVely stamped upon all the state constitutions,
as we'll as the federal constitution, than that
which requires the three great departments OF
power, the legislative, judicial, and executive,
to be kept separate and apart. But simple and
manifest this truth is, the difficulty Of arriving
at it in practice, with constitutional restraints,
still remains, and presents question, whether
the wisdom and virtue Of the present generation,
with view TO amendment in this important mat
ter, may not be use'ully employed?''
g" With view to sustain more effectually in
practice the axiom which divides the three great
classes Of power into independent constitutional
checks, would impose provision, rendering
any Member Of Congress ineligible to the Office,
under the general government, during the term
for which he was elected, and for the two years
thereafter, except in cases Of judicial office. -
6 The effect Of such constitutional provision
is obvious. BY it Congress, in considerable
degree, would be free from that connexion with
tho execntiye dcDarfmenf which af nroeo,