Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-01-22
COMMUNICATED
To the Honorable Jaaues Marshall

SIR-Many years have passed since saw
you; probably have been long out of your re
collection. The present state of this countryin.
duces me to recall to your memory converse
ton, in 1894, between you, Mr. Breckenridge.
of Virginia and others, in the Southern Stage
from Philadelphia, regarding the Constitution
of the United States Government Much has
since happened to each of us to impair or obi.
terate remembrance Of a difference OF opinion
of two young men, upon common subjects, for
ty years snce but the subject of that CONVEX
saton must, think, have been frequently in
your mind; it has seldom been long absentfrom
mine. desire youto remember that thensaii
the Elective Executive Branch Of this Govern
ment would, in practice, be found imperfect
that it would, in time, be attained by corrupt
means, and would corrupt in return You de-
MED my opinion. Your defence of the first in.
stitution Of your country was warmly jealous
expressed in the language of gentleman.
observed that time alone would, in this country
test the truth or fallacy of my belief but if you
could point to a nation, in ancient or modern
history, with an Elective Executive Power, that
did not becoTe corrupt, would admit it as an
exception to the general truth Of my opinion
mentioned the case of GLAND, then in view Of
t. he world. said, l still say, that the vice and
profiigacy the Polish Statesmen, arising out
the form of government, caused the diSmenber
ment ofthat Elective Monarchy.
You resided in Alexandria the winter ofl91t
and 1901. You must recoect the management
and movements at Washington, between the fac
tons for Jefferson and Burr--the buyings and
settings Of that time. Those who, by situation
held, since that time, pretensions to the Pres
dency, had the prudence to arrange their re
spective interests without exciting the public Z
action. The Secretary of State had quietly sue
ceeded to the Presidency, being considered H
heir apparent until Mr.. Crawford's ambito,
broke that arrangement and brought on anOtg
contest at Washington, similar in principle toGi
former, and with less credit to the SUGGEST
parties. What is now passing before the word!
eye? Look to the arbitrary, lawless acts Of hf
Executive power; look to the collected body
unprlncipled, base subserviency to that poTa5 4
without any modern parallel, excepting Franc 3
IN the days of Bonaparte; and you have clea
living proofs that my opinion of forty yeaISpa' T.
was correct Break down State independent
which has been openly attempted, and will +,
attempted again, as occasion may fit; give tn
country dense population, city of command
ing influence like Rome Of ancient, or Paris 4"
the present times; pretexts for wars with oN
neighbors, North or South, to give occasion !"
large military establishments; all which ma
happen; and these United States may then "a,
into the direct course Of very simple form
government-the government of him with u'
longest sword, with resolution, and address
use it.
You remember the origin of this GorernmeD'
you have seen its course and to what it is NOV
tending. Can you pointto any other causes"
all this besides the Executive Branch? ! D'
not. The actors OH the political stage herel0I"
and now, are mere performers of the Dram, s.
Such will their successors be, until the U'-
great change comes in course. repeatnV
preston of forty years since:-GoVeIHNf
with an Elective Executive Power, shoiD
what, in our system, is called State SoVei's
have been, are, and will invariably be- coII-r
A CITIZEN