The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-07-29
TO THE INDEPENDENT VOTERS
Secretaries,

TO THE INDEPENDENT VOTERS.
have read with some attention an article in tn,
Herald OF the Times, addressed to the Wings of II
Island ; and as l claim to have the same object il
vicw as the writer of that article processes namel,
good government, must ask permission to make
a few remarks on the article in question. The pur-
port OF this article to be, opposition to the
supposed encroachment of executive power, oyel
the federal legislature, and the judiciary.
Now who are the plaintiffs in this case? Why
three marking asplrants to executive supremacy il
the Senate Clay, Webster and Calhoun. Unfor-
tunately, the advocates in this cause are deeply in.
erested in the issue, in their personal condition n,
well as in their connections with the body who's,
special pri'nedges they seem to advocate. la botl
views, they are interested parties and their plead
Ings must be listened to under that reserve Wheth-
cr the writer of the article under review be of tb,
body too, cannot say but the arguments used BY
MN, are the same as those used by the Senate and
the three asplrants to the Presidency.
Now we common men have short way of iudo-
ing OF the sincerity, and dsnterestedness of polti-
OF their own interests.
III either OF these candidates for the presidency
were so fortunate to arrive at that high station
is quite natural to suppose, that they would wish
to remain there for the usual two terms. Two OF
these candidates, at least, have heretofore shown
strong disposition to extend, far possible the
power of the federal government by forced consruc-
ton of the constitution and one of them belongs to
school of politicians, which has always been in fa-
vor OF strong Executive, extoling the British gov
ernment, as model for imitation. Must we now
believe that these gentlemen, and their federal allies
have been suddenly converted, and now wish to see
the executive brought under the absolute control of
the Legislature, and would not wish to retain its
former, and usual powers, to enable them in case
they attained that station, to maintain it. by due
and constitutional supervision and control of officers
of their own appointments; and for whose faithful
performance of duties they would be responsible to
the people
This cannot be reasonably supposed of men of
their experience. 1t is not natural to suppose that
candidates for the highest office of the Union, can
wish to curtail power, permanently, to which they
aspire Their opposition then to the extension
OF the Executive power, which they have formerly
considered as too circumscrbed, must be explained
hy some other motive than the public good. That
motive Is the overthrow of the present Democratic
Administration, and the prevention of another one
OF the same character. Their only object is to re-
store the old federal reign to promote their own adj
vancement' and the interest their partsans This
must be evident TO all who will reflect but one mo-
inent, on the unnatural democratic language used
by these old federal poliicians 'rb,, Io,u,,,, L
seemed to these willy partisans, so out of keeping
with the known tenor of their policy that they have
been Obliged to change their political name to give
II even the appearance of sincerity.
fresumptiye evidence is then strongly against the
asprants to a place of power, who, seem now will
ling to disgrace it; and it is equally strong against
them, rs members of the senate, which now sets I'M
Tor rival power with the executive nay as absorb
ing, and annhlating the power of the executive
wmle at the same time, it usurps the power of the
House OF Representatives. II claims TO control the
appointment of officers for whose faithful DISCHARGE
oil duties, the President is alone, responsible and
'hey are not 1t claims to retain those officers in
Their places even when their deliuquences are appa
rent TO the PRESIDENT and to every other citizen of
The United States The power claimed, coe. ,bi.
whole length, with no other check. than an immac-
ulae majority in the Senate
We must then examine with great eauti ON. tho
MEANS and the language used by party, and by
persons so unfortunately situated for an ;mnar,;,,
''oeemen'' as the federal party is with its mongre,
but equally ambitious leaders.
'ne'e one thing certain. that If the federal PAR