Litchfield enquirer., 1835-12-10

I'd peace Of the country, and 80 repuznant 10
he principles Of our national compact, and 70
he dictates Of humanity and religion. Der
appiness ami prosperity essentially depend
non peace withiO our b0rdeTS--nnd peace
epends npOn the maintenance, 10 good faith,
fthose compromises Of The constitution upon
vhich the union is founded.
II is fortunate for the country thar the good
euse, the generous feeling, aud the deep.rooted
attachment Of the people Of the non slave holding
atss 10 the Union, and 10 their fellow citizens
# the same blood in the South, have given en-
,trong and impressive tone TO the eentimeDts
entertained against the proceedings Of the mis-.
guided persons who have engaged in these un~
and wicked attempts and esDecial.
II against the emissaries from foreign paris who
have dared TO interfere in this matter, as to au.
lhorize the hope, that those attempts will noIong.
or be persisted in. Blu: fthese expressions of lie
public will shall not be sufficient to effect so de-.
sirable result, not doubt can be entertained,
that the non.saveholding States, so far from
the elightest interference with the
constitutional rights Of tho South, will be prompt
TO exercise lheiF authority in suppsessing, 60 Gs
in them lies, whatever Is calculated TO produce
this evil. - ..r
In leaving the care Of other branches Of this
interesting subject to the state authorities. to
whom they properly belong, it is nevertheless
proper for Congress to take such measures as will
prevent the Post Office Department, which was
designed 10 foster an amicahle intercourse and
correspondence between all tine members of the
confederacy, from being used as an instrument
of an opposite character. The General Govern.
ment, to which the great trust 10 con6ded. Of
preserving invioIate the Ielations created amoay
The states by the constitution, 10 especially bound
to avoid in its own action, any thing that NAV
disturb them. would, therefore, cali the spcr
cial attention Of Congress TO the subject and rev
specially suggest lb" propriety Of passing such
a law as will prohibit, under severe penalties
the circulation in the southern states. through the
mail Of incendiary publications intended to insii.
gate the slaves to insurrection.
/ felt it to be my duty, in the first MESSAGES
which communicated to Congress, 10 urge un.su
its attention the proprieiy OF amending that part
ct the constitution which provides for The election
Of the president and the vice presdant Of the U.
nted States. The leading object which had in
view was the adoption ef soma new provisions
which would secure TO the people The perform.
ence Of this high duty, wi,hou. any intermediate
agency. In my annual communications since 2
have enforced the same views, from sincers
conviction that the best interests of the eoun,rv
would be promoted by their adoption. IF The
subject were an ordinary one. should have ra.
garded the failure Of Congress to act upon il. An
an indication Of their judgment, that the disad-
vantages which belong to the present system
were not great as those which would result,
from any altainablc substitute that had been sub.
miited 10 their consideration.
Recolecting, however, that propositions 10 in.
troduce a new feature in our fundamental laws
cannot be too patiently examined and ought not
to be received with favor until tbs great Cody Of
the people are thoroughly impressed with their
necessity ana vaine' as remedy for reul evils
ieoi that in renewing the recommendations I
have heretofore madc on. this subject, I am not
the bounds OF just Difference to
the sense OF Congress or to the disposition Of the
people, However much we may differ IN the
administration of the Government. there can be-
Out little doubt in the minds Of those who arc
realiy friendly To the republican features Of our
pystem, mat one Of its most important securities
consists in the separation Of the Legislative and
4Aecuuve powers, at the same time that each -
held responsible to the great source Of authority,
which is acknowledged 10 oe supreme, in tho
Will OF the people constitutlonally expressed.
MY reflection and experience satisfy mo, that
the trainers of the Constitution, although they
were anxious to mark this feature rs q settled
and liked principle in the structure OF the TO.
vernment. did not adopt all the precautions that
were necessary to secure its practic observance,
and that We cannot be said TO have carried into
complete effect their intentions until the evils
which arise from this organic defect are rene.
died.
Considering the great extent Of our Confede.
racy. the rapid increase Of its population, and
the diversity of their interests and pursuits, it
cannot be disguised that the contingency by
which one branch Of the Legislature, il to form
itself into an electoral college. cannot become
one OF ordinary occurrence, without producing
incalsulable mischief What was intended us
the medicine Of the constitution in extreme ca
ses, cannot be frequently used without changing
its character, and, sooner or later, producing in>
durable disorder.
Every election BY the House of Repre- senta-
lives is calcuagsa 10 lessenlihe force Of that Sc
curity which SERVED from The distinct and Sc
Pnrate character of he legislative and executive
functions, and white it exDoses. each 10 tempta.
tions averse to their efficacy as organs Of the
constitution and laws, It's tendency will be 10
unite both in resisting the will ~ the people,
aud thus give direction to The goverfnasnt an
us that free people should be watchfuI OF de-
lee ated power, and should never acquiesce in
practice which will diminish their control over -
't.-Tbs obligation, so universal in its appca-
lion 10 all til" principles OF republic, is pccu-
IIaTiy 80 in ours. where the formation Of parties
founded on sectional interests Is much tostered
by tile extcn: Of our territory.
These interests, represented by candidates for
the Presidency, ara constantly prone, in the zeal
ut party and selfish objects, TO generate iuf1uen>
ces unmindfnl of the general good, and forgctful
OF the restraints which the great body Of the
teoPIe would enforce, 1t they were, IN no con-
tingency, to lose tho right of expressing their
formation of the Government to the present day,
demonstrates that the People cannot TOO soon
adopt some stronger safeguard for their right TO
elect the highest officers known to the COnstiiu-
lion, than is contained in that sacred instrument
as il now stunds 7''%'~- '"-"' -
1t is my duty to call the particular attention Of
Congress to the present condition Of the District
Of Columbia. From " hatever cause the great
depression has arisen which now exists in
the pecuniary concerns Of this District. it is pre-
per that its situation should be fully UNDERSTOOD
and such relief or remedies provided as are con-.
sistent with the powers of Congress. earnest
" recommend the extension Of every political
right 10 the citizens Of the District which their
true interests require, and which does not cons
dict with the provisions Of the constitution. 1t
Is believed that the laws Of the District require
revlsal and amendment, and that much good may
be done by modifying the ncnal code. so as To