The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-12-24


"The White-washng Connie OF the Senate
have made their report covering un every possible
way he iniquity of the Bank but en- that commit
tee1haye not been hardy enough gye the Bank a
clean certificate Mr.. Benton h'commenced ap-
plying the stripes to the back Of Il Committe, who
wefe-,yrithing under his lash, we left the
Senate"
Mr.. PKcKHAM,-
- The experience of the past yr admonishes ev-
eryfriend to free government, government OF the
people, to that they are not 'ly the masters oi
their own destnics, as far as huDn power can con-
troll them, IN tact, as well as lnheoTy. 1hat au-
gust body who framed the conston OF the United
States government, and whose Icullar happiness II
was to effect the Union, and pride for It's future
security, have performed wonds, but they were
men, and liable to overlook at ast one OF the great
points intended to be secured, ct they wisely pro-
vded for any such errors omsohs' leaving 10 iu-
ture experience the power to eject by aneho'i'ch''
any error or omission which pactce might suggest
or necessity require. In frghlng the government
the convention gave the appointment OF the rreSi-
dent to the whole of the Stcs or to the majority
fthe whole nation, and gave him the power to ar
rest any law made by tie other two branches OF the
legislature unless tie same was passed by ma
jorty of two thirds of both. The President was
therefore the gencnl representative OF the whole ma
tion and through him the national consent to laws,
was to be ascertaned whether they should be adopt
ed or rejected. The sepatc was to be appointed by
the states in their sovereign, but individual capacity;
and in the enactment of laws, the states were to
consent by the senaprs who represented the state
sovcreignties. Th House of Representatives were
to represent the geat interest ofthe people and were
to be chosen Directly by the people III their respec-
tive districts So that the whole states and people
collectively we're to consent TO any law by their
President the states as such by their Senators, and
the districts by their Representatives. When these
three great interests agreed, the convention consld-
cred such concurrence the best evidence of the will
of the confederated nation, and that will when as
ccrtained was the legitimate source from which al
general legislation properly emanated.
We must suppose that the spirit of such govern
mcnt is this that the President should exercise hi
power in n way most agreeable to the constitution
exercising at the same time a due regard TO tn
wishes of those who appointed him, land who ar
also to appoint his succcssor) whenever such, the
wishes, clearly and uIrquiyocally made know
to him, in the most conclusive and formal manne
The Senate to be appointed for a longer teri
than either of the other two branches, with a view
as we suppose, that the body who were to be tn
constitutional advisers of the executive should pos
sess more experience, and independence than the
would if their appointment for shorter periot
The convention had before them the example
England, where the members ofthe House of Lord
were hereditary, and they thought by taking mid
die course between democracy and aristocracy, the
might come to better resting place, than the adoI
ton of either. This, we think experience has show
to be one of the greatest mistakes made by the cor
vcntion. The ariStocratic character of the Iiou,
of Lords is restrained by the power of the Monarc
who is also hereditary, and if the Lords become o
| stnately refractory, and wlfully oppose the wish
of the other two branches of the Legislature, Il
= King, in the pentitudc of his power, may add
= many new members to the House of Lords as ms
E be necessary 10 make that body comply with Il
y will of the nation. That power has been exercise
t for that purpose; and short time since the me
threat of a renewal of its application induced Il
= present members ofthe house of Lords to submit
Il the enlargement of the peoples rights.
n The Senate of the United States was intended
r. represent the states we before observed, in the
IS sovereign capacity. BY their Senators in Congrc:
the several States were to act debate and vote
C and in behalf of the states which they might rcpr
i sent, IN as full an ample manner, if the sta
&c governments were present. and acted forthemsely,
q Doubtless the convention believed the Senators
l. Congress would enter into the views of the stat
e who sent them, whenever they were fully acquail
= cd with such their views, and that through their
ators each state would be faithfully represented
is cording TO the opinions entertained by the bo
Is whom they represented, whenever that opinion "
fully and uncquiyocally known.