Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-27
SENATE OF THE U. S.

President Jefferson said. that " differences oil
opinion are not always differences OF principle"
in reference to the political parties oil his day;
and the theory, perhaps, was then generally
inst one. But il is not so now Opinions, sudden
Iy changed as they may be- are considered prin-
ciples-and it requires no small degree OF watch
fitness and promptltude to whipup and keep-ln
the marches Of party, and to observe the vast
distinction that exists between this side and 10th
er side; the same things having totally different
characters, according to the political results that
may be involved in them.
The senators and senate OF the U. States, are,
individually and collectively, asSaed In man.
ner that will not tell swell in history"-they are
spoken of with degree of coarseness that was
fitted to the O la lantern days of France,
in the period Of her revolutions; and so, because
of differences of opinion on certain subjects,
the body is called aristocratic," federal" and
so forth, and said to be opposed to the people,
and so forth. But several of the state senates,
though equally acting against public opinion, as
expressed by their own houses OF representa-
tives, are patented democrats" and genuine
patriots Instance, the senate of Rhode Island in
the case ofthe election of a senator-the senate
of North Carolina, concerning the land bill OF
Mr. Cyay-and the senate Of Virginia with res
pect to the general political feeling of that state.
And take again the condition of the senators
from Ohio. Last year, Mr.. ETing was abused
as a traitor, by the party that elected MIR. Norris
o>~~N~"--N-~
ly placed in the same condition that the former
was; still Mr.. Norris is " patriotic" representa-
tive of his state IN the senate. We do not mean
TO insinuate that he is not-but every good rule
works both ways" Yet the general issue, as to
senators or senates, is-that they are arstocratic
or federal, democratic or patriotic, not on &C
count of differences about an established prlncl-
ple but for differences concerning transient opin-
ions 1t would have been as treason" in sen :
ator from Pennsylvania, little while ago. for
another example) to have opposed the constitu-
tionality or expediency of the bank ofthe United
States, the presidents reto OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
now how is il with respect to this matter, and
others, that were called the principles of Penn
sylvania," and in support of which her delega-
ton in congress may be said to have been unani-
mouse Have the principles or the politics of the
state changed2 But Mr.. RICHES late BGotia, is
now an Athens!
The senate of the United States pas the most
lofty body Of legislators in the world. 1t has
separated legislative, executive and judicial po-
wer, and the same right and responsibility for
the exertion of either, Gas they constitutonally
occur) as can belong to the house of represen-
tatves, or to the president, or the supreme
court They have an equal authority with the
president i'm the appointment of persons to Of
fee, except that the nomination belongs to the
president. When the senate agrees with the
president, that body obtains no credit for it
but when differing in opinion with hlm,-they
are called i" factiouS,n and must be put down.
In ordinary cases, nomination is seldom ne
gatived-but in erery instance, it is the senate's
duty to correct the executive opinion, when OPP
posed to their own, as to the fitness of persons
for Office, or the ratification OF treaties, &C. and
il NAV lust as easily be Fictitious" in the pre-
sident to nominate persons, andrefer treaties to
the senate as for it to withhold its assent
to executive wishes-a general disposition being
shewn to respond to them, when not involving
matters of principle. But the senate holds the
same power to reject that the president has to
no inmate, however ndisposed il may be to use
that power; and the president is just as much
bound to respect the feelings or opinions of the
senate, in such cases, as the senate can be bound
to respect those of the president Both parties
stand on equal ground-for SO they stand in the
consttution.-Niles' Register.