Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1835-11-09

pose every attempt Ia grasp that which IL regard
cd rs an immediate good, in violation OF these slip.
na,,ons is full of danger to the whole Constitn-
ton need not say, also, that possible collision
between the General aud the Stntc Governments,
always has been, is, and ever must be- II source Of
danger 10 be strictly watched by wise men.
But gentlemen, as have spoken of danger
nov, IN my Judgment, actually existing, will state
al once my opinions on that point, without fear
and without reserve rcproach no mani at
cusc no man but | speak of things as they ap-
pear TO me, and speak of principles and pract'-
cos, which | deem most alarming. ! think, then,
gentlemen, that great practical change is going
ON IN the Constitution, which, If not checked, mus,
completely alter its whole character This change
consists IN the dlminuiion of the Just powers Of
Congress ON the one hand, and in the vas, increase
OF Executive authority ON the other. The go-
,ernment OF the United States IN the aggregate,
or the legislative power of Congress, seems fast
losing, one after another its accustomed powers.
One by one they aie practically struck ont OF the
Constitution. What has become of the power Of
Internal Improvement Does il remain in the
Constitution, is II erased by tho repeated cxcr
clse oi the Presidents veto, and tho acqucsccnce
IN that exercise, of all who cali themselves his
friends, whatever their own opinions Of the Con-
sntion may be The power to create u National
proved by all Presidents, and by Congress
al all times, and sanctioned by solemn nd
ludicaton Of the supreme Courts it not true
that party has agreed to strike this power, too,
from the Constitution, IN compliance with what
has been openly called the interest of party Nay
more that great power the power OF protecting
Domestic Industry, who can tell me whether that
power is now regarded in tho Constitution, or
OFT OF il :
But if 1t BIZ true that the diminuiion of the just
powers of Congress, in these particulars, has been
attempted, and attempted with more OF less sue
cess, il is still more obvious, think, that tho IN
eeulivc power of the government has been dan
ecrousy increased It is spread, in the first place,
over all tina, ground from which the legislative
power of Congress is driven. Congress can no
Longer establish a Bank, controlled by tho laws Of
the L. Suites, amcnablc to the authority, aud
open, N all times, to the examination and inspcc-
ton Of the legislature. 1t is no longer constitution
al 10 make such bank for the safe custody OF the
public treasure. But of the thousand State cor
porations, already existing, II Is constitutional Tor
tie Executive government to select such ms II plea
ses, 10 enirnst the public money to their keeping,
without responsibility to the laws Of the United
States, without the duty of exhibiting their con-
Germs, At any time, 10 the Committees Of Con-
eress, and with other guards or securities than
scch as executive discretion, on the one hand and
the Banks themselves On the other, may see fl to
agree to.
And so Of Internal Improvement. II Is not c,
cry thing in the nature OF public Improvements,
which is forbidd n. II is only that the selection
of objects is not with Congress. Whatever ap-
pears TO the Executive discretion to bc Of prop
or nature or such as comes within certain not very
ineligible limits, may be- tolerated. And even
with respect To the Tariff itself, while as system
ii is denounced unconstitutional, II Is probable
some portions of might find favor.
But il is not the frequent use OF tho power the
Acto--ii is not the readiness with which men Yield
their own opinions, and important powers
practically oblltcratcd from the Constitution, IN or
der 10 subsorvc the interest Of party-t Is not
even MI this which furnishes, N the present mo-
mcnt, the most striking demonstration Of the in
crease af Executive authority II is the use Of
the power of patronage, II is the universal giving
and taking away all place and office, Tor reasons
no way connected with the public service, or the
faithful execution of the laws--it is this which
threatens all the true principles of the Govern
men, Patronage is reduced to system. 1t is
used as the patrimony, the property of party.
Every Office is larEcsS, bounty, favor aud
ii is expected to be- compensated by service and
featy. \ numerous and wcll-discplncd corps
Of ollicc-hodcrs, acting with activity and zeal, and
with incredible anon OF purpose, u attempting To
sclze the strong posts, and to control, ,iico,u-
ally, the expression OF the public will. As has
been said OF the Turks in Europe, they are not
much mingled with us, as cncamped uponus And
II is more lamcniablc, that the apathy which pre-
walls IN time of general prosperity, produces,
among a great majority OF the people, disregard
10 the efforts and objects OF this well trained and
effective corps. But, gentlemen, the principle is
vicious il is destructive and ruinous, and wlcth-
or il produces It's work Of disunion to- ay or to-
ii must produce it in the end. 1t must
destroy the balance Of the government, and 50 de-
stroy the government itself. The government OF
the United States controls the army, the navy, the
custom house, the post office, the land Office, and
other great sources of patronage. What have the
States to oppose to all this And il tho States
shall see all this pa ronage, they shall every
officer under this government, in all IT'S ramiGca-
tons, united with every other officer, and all act
ing steadily in design to produce political effect,
even in State governments, is it possible not to
perceive that they will ere long regard tho whole
government of the Union with disrust and jeal-
ousy, and finally with fear and hatred
Among other evils, it is the tendency of this
system to push party feelings and party spirit to
heir utmost excess. Ii involves not only opinions
and principles, but the pursuits Of life and the
means OF living, in the contests OF party. The
Executive himself becomes but the mere point OF
concentration OF party power and when the cN
acutive power is exercised or is claimed fer the
benefit party, party will approve and
Justify it. When did heated aud exasperatcd par
" ever complain OF its leaders for scizing on new
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