Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-06-21
MR.. Kenmore coopER,s LETTER

trymen very attentively; we did not expect
much from it, on learning its scope and inten-
ton, and have not been in the least disappointed
No man rendered to the liberties of this coun-
try greater service than Tom Paine, by his
political writings, and had he confined himself
exclusively to politics, all parties would have
cheerfuly commended his patriotism and abili-
ty as many now endeavor to forget that such
q parsonage ever existed. The comparison
we admit is, only remotely applicable. Mr..
Cooper commenced public life as an unsuccess-
full novelist-that is to say, the first novel he
published, which we have always thought his
best fell as it were, still born from the press
it was only when he struck out a new path and
laid the foundation Of his next novel on hsto-
rical facts, blended with fancy and magma
ton that he carried his readers triumphantly
with him, and established reputation as anov-
elist not inferior to any in Europe or in this
country. But Mr.. Cooper was not cOntented
with Interpolation he had acquired in the lite
rary world; he aspired to the celebrity Of
statesman and politician, and commenced the
study of politics abroad; in this he resembles
Thomas Paine whose immense popularity as
political writer was deemed by him STALE
fat and unpro6table,n unless he could upset
and derange the existing religious doctrines of
the civilized world Politics cannot be studied:
it must be learnt practically; it is with men and
not books, political student must be fami iar
What prospects could Mr. Cooper have of be-
coming a useful practical american politician
by visiting Parliament or the Chamber Of De-
putfes; disputing about the Doctrinories, and
writing political articles in the newspapers
More than one-half of his present letter is de-
fence of himself against certain attacks in the
American papers on his writings and princi-
PIES and ifhe had rested here, the objects of his
letter might be deemed to have been answered,
for he has an undoubted right to defend his mo-
tves and his principles whenever they are I'M
justly assaed.
He does not however, stop here-but in the
most awkward manner proceeds to dovetail q
defence of the indefensible conduct of the Pre-
sident on the deposte question, as if the letter,
written specially in his own defence, would have
been barren of interest unless he went out of
his way to engraft upon it defence Of the ad-
ministration; the Journey he imagined, would
have been rough and unpleasant, unless he
mounted Gen. Jackson on pillion behind him,
and they went off in jog trot together Mr..
Cooper attempts to show by the constitutions "as
he understands it." that the President has
a right to remove the deposites and to remove
a Secretary, and to appoint Secretary who
would do as he bid him; and, moreover, that
the Senate had no right to interfere or express
any opinion derogatory to the privileges and
immunites of the President
Were we to "argufy the topico with Mr.. Coo
per, after the ability displayed in both Houses,
and the perfect conviction on the public mind,
without distinction of party, that the President
has acted wrong in the premises, we should
waste time and paper. 1t is only necessary to
state that as Mr.. Cooper goes all lengths with
the Protest, he must swallow some part of the
codicil at the same time; for the President in
the one backs out from the grounds assumed in
the other. A practical politician never construes
a doubtful point in the constitution in favor of
the ruler, but always in favor Of the people;
friend of liberty watches power with jealous
he olorYr onyfi &c oyor-
cised contrary to a strict and manifest inter-
probation of the charter. Mr.. Cooper says" If
the Union should ever be destroyed by any
error or faults of an internal origin, it will not
be by executive, but by legislative usurpation."
The fact is directly the contrary.
The President controlling the patronage of the
country, commanding its army and navy, APP
pointing its heads of department and foreign
and exercising the immense and con-
trolling power Of the reto on all laws, is branch
of the government most dangerous, and most
liable to abuse. Congress elected biennially, by
the people, their immediate representatives, ha
wing no patronage beyond the appointment OF
its own officers, under no individual influence,
but constantly receiving instructions from their
constituents at large, controlled by the voice of
small districts, which are constantly changing,
may indeed vote on party grounds on questions
of expediency; but as body Congress
can never be dangerous. The danger is more
to be apprehended, that a majority of Congress
might be found to sustain the usurpations OF the
President on particular point, than ofany mem
Der or members of that body originating plans
of ambition, or schemes of speculation, for the
President or others to execute.
The special pleading to make it appear that
the President had right to remove the Secre-
tary of the Treasury on account of the depo-
sites, has been set to rest by the President him
SELF who avowed that he took the responsibility
them, and of course illegally, in de-
hance of the provision of the charter, and con-
trary to public opinion and public good. This
unwarrantable act of President Jackson's has
o &C, loss of more than fifty millions Of
dollars IN the value of produce and manufac-
lures; II mas deranged the currency of the counr
try II has created bankruptcy in every direction;
off an immense portion of the public revenue
which would have accrued under the former
state of things; given serious blow to the con-
stitution brought the governmentinto disrenute
at home and abroad; exhibited in full the i'm
mensely dangerous powers of the executive.
and has been fruitful source of general disap-