The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-10-10

and having erected the judgment Of the Presi-
dent himself into a standard by which to try
the constitutional character of such powers,
and having denounced the authority Of the Su
preme Court, and decided finally on constiiu-
tional questions, the message proceeds to claim
for the President, not the power OF approval,
but the primary power, the power oil original
ing laws. The President informs Congress
that he would have sent them such charter,
il it had been properly asked foS, as they ought
to possess. He very plainly lntimates that, in
his opinion, the establishment of all laws, of
this nature, at least, belongs to the functions of
the executive government, and that Congress
ought to have waited for the manifestation of
the executive will, before il presumed to touch
the subject. Such, MIR President, stripped of
their DISCUSSES, are the real pretences sci up in
behalf OF the executiae power in this most ex-
traordinary paper.
Mr.. President: we have arrived at a new
epoch. We are entering experiments with
the Government and the Constitution of the
country, hitherto untried, and of fearful and
appalling aspect. This message calls us to the
contemplation of a future which little resem-
bes the past. Its principles are at war with
all that public opinion has sustained, and all
which the experience of the Government has
sanctioned. II denies first principles it con-
tradicts truths heretofore received as indisputa-
tlon of law, and demands to divide with Con-
gress, the originaiion of statutes 1t extends
the grasp Of executive pretenslon over every
power of the Government. But this is not all.
II presents the Chief Magistrate of the Union
IN the attitude OF arguing atcay the powers of
that Government over which he has been cho-
sen TO preside; and adopting, for this purpose,
modes of reasoning, which, even under the in
fuence of all proper feeling towards high Off
cial station, it is difficult to regard respecia-
be- 1t appeals to every prejudice which may
betray men into a mistaken view of their own
interests and to every passion VIII CHI may lead
them 10 disobey the impulses oftheir under
standing. II urges all the spccious topics
Of State rights, and national enoroaohment,
against that which a great majority Of the
States have affirmed TO be rightful, and in
which all Of them have acquesced. 1t sows,
in an unspariHg manner, the seeds Of jealousy
and lll-will against that government of whic5.its
author is the official head. 1t raises a cry that
liberty sin danger, at the very moment when
1t puts forth claims 10 power heretofore I'M
known and unheard of. 1t affects alarm for the
public freedom, when nothing much endan-
gers that freedom as its own unparalleled pre-.
fences. This, even, is not all. 1t manifestly
seeks 10 influence the poor against the Itch; it
wantonly attacks whole classes of the people,
for the purpose Of turning against them the
preJudices and reseniments of other classes. Ii
is State paper which finds no topics too ex-
citing for its use no passion too infammable
for its address and solicitation. Such is this
message. 1t remains. now for the People OF
the United States 10 choose between the prin.
ciples here avowed. and their government
These cannot subsist together. The one oil
the other must be rejected If the sentiment.
OF the message shall receive general approba
ton, the Constitution will have persisted, ever
earlier than the moment which its eneme
originally allowed for the termination of its ex
istence. 1t will not have arrived 10 its filietl
year.