Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-01-01

people; and becomes, when It occurs, source of embarrassment to the individuals thus brought into power, and a cause of dis trust of the representative body. Liable as the confe- deracy is, from its great extent, to parties founded upon sectional interests, and to cor responding multiplication of candidates for the Presidency, the tendency of the constltu- tional reference to the House of Representa- tives, is, to devolvc the election upon that body in almost every instance; and, whatever choice may then be made among the candi- dates thus presented to them, to swell the in- fuence of particular interests to degree in- consistent with the general good. The con sequences of this feature of the Constitution appear far more threatening to the peace and integrity of the Union than any which l can conceive as likely to result from the simple legislative action of the Federal Government.
 It was leading object with the framers oi the Constitution to keep as separate as possi- ble the action of the Legislative and EXccu- tive branches of the Government, To secure this object, nothing is more essential than to preserve the former from the temptations of private interest, and, therefore, so to direct the patronage of the latter as not to permit such temptations to be offered. Experience abundantly demonstrates that every prccau- tion in this respect is a valuable safeguard ot liberty, and one which my reflections upon the tendencies of our system Incline me to think should be made still stroiger. It was for this reason that, i'll conpetlon with an amendment of the Constitption, removing all intermediate agency in the choice Of the rre- sdent, recommcndedsome restrictions upon the re-eligibilitv of that officer, and upon the tenure of offices generally. The reason still exists; and renew the recommendation, with 'an increased confidence that its adoption will strengthen those checks by which the Consti- tuition designed to secure the independence of each department of the Government, and promote the healthful and equitable adminis- tration of all the trusts which it has created The agent most likely to contrayene this de- sign of the Constitution is the Chief Magis- trate. In order, particularly, that his ap- pontmeht may, as far as possible, be placed beyond the reach of any improper influences; in order that he may approach the solemn re- responsibilities of the highest office lnIthc gift of free people, uncommitted to any other course than the strict line of constitutional du- ty; and that the securities for this iudepen- dence may be rendered as strong as the na- ture of power, and the weakness of itsposses- sor, will admit, 1 cannot too earnestly invite your attention to the propriety of pranoting such an amendment of the Constitution as will render him ineligible after the tirtt term of service.
 It gives me pleasure to announce 10 Con- gross the benevolent policy of the Govern ment, steadily pursued for nearly thirtt years,
 in relation to the removal of the Indians be- yond the white settlements, is approaching to a happy consummation. Two important tribes have accepted the provision made for tba;,, l,, and it is believed that their example will in duce the remaining tribes, also, to stek the same obvious advantages.
 The consequences of a speedy removal will be important to the United States, to indivi- dual States, md to the Indians themselves. The pecuniary advantages whchit promisesto the Government are the least ofits recommen- dations It puts an end to all possible danger of collision between the authorities of the Gene ral and State Governments, on account of the Indians. It will place dense and civilized population i'll large tracts of country now oc- cupled by few savage hunters. By opening the whole territory between Tennessee on the north, and Louisiana on the south, to the set clement of the whites, it will incalculably strenthen the southwestern frontier, and ren- der the adjacent States strong enough to repel future invasion without remote aid. It will relieve the whole State of Mississippi, and the western part Of Alabama, Of Indian occupancy, and enable those States to advance rapidly 1T population, wealth, and power. It will sepa- rate the Indians from immediate contact with settlements Of whites; free them from the pow CT ct the States; enable them to pursue hap piness in their own way, and under their own rude institutions; will retard the progress oi decay, which is lessening their numbers; and perhaps cause them gradually, under the pro lection Of the Government, and through the
 influence of good counsels, to cast offtheir sa- wage habits, and become an interesting, civi- lized, and Christian community. These con sequences, some of them so certain, and the rest so probable, make the complete execu- tion of the plan sanctioned by Congress at their last session an object of much solicitude.
 Toward the abor;gines of the country nc one can indulge a more friendly feeling than myself, or would go further in attempting to reclaim them from their wandering habits, and make them happy and prosperous peo- pie. have endeavored to impress upon them my own solemn convictions of the duties and powers of the General Government in rela- tion to the State authorities. For the justice of the laws passed by the States within the scope of their reserved powers, they arc not responsible to this Government. As indivi- duals, we may entertain and express cur opinions of their acts; but, as Government, we have as little right to control them as we have to prescribe laws to foreign nations.
 With full understanding of the subject, the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes have, with great unanimity, determined to aval them selves of the liberal offers presented by the act of Congress, ard have agreed to remove beyond the Mississippi river Treaties have been made with them, which, in due season, will be submitted for consideration. In nego- tiating these treaties, they were made to un- derstand their true condition; and they have preferred-mantaining their independence in