Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-12-10
r AZ.
PRESIDENTIAL THANKING


ductors Of The public press were called upon, as
faithful chronicicrs Of passing events, TO record
an abuse Of official privilege, by the Chief Ma
glstrate Of the nation, in franking 10 each mem
Der OF the Tennessee Legislature, several copies
ola political newspaper. whose columns were
filed with articles violently abusing an indivdu
al, who il was well known would be a candidate
in that body, for a seat ia the Senate Of the Uni.
ted States. The general diseppfobation with
which that act Of the President was received,
woald, il was hoped, for the honor Of the Amer
eau nation, aud the dignity Of the station which
he occupies, have deferred him from cy.r again
attempting 70 dictate to any body Of citizens, le-
gi~slatisc or otherwise, The course that ought 70
be pursued by them in relation to the election Of
persons to represent them on the floors Of Con-
gress, or in fact, in relation TO political matters Of
any sor, whatever. The opening Of The Alabama
Legislature, however, has disclosed the commits.
sion Of another act Of the same kind. Two co.
pies of the Washington Globe, bearing the frank
Of Andrew Jackson, and filled with MIR. Ben.
tons speech on the cxpunging resolution, and
a violent philippe against Judge White, were
were placed on the table of Teach member Of the le.
gislatnrc Of Alabama, on the morning Of the com
mencement OF its session. One OF the members,
a Ma. WoaA1K, heretofore a firm friend and
supporter Of the President, feeling indignant al
the attcmp; Of one in authority 10 dictate 10 him
what course TO pursue, enclosed the papers found
on his dcsk-directed them back again 10 The
President, aud addressed him the following let.
ter in rotation TO the matter:
EorsE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
1asca'oosa, November Is, 1856.
AspAw JACKSON, President If the u. States.
Dear Sir-Two extra copies of The
Globe addressed TO me, hearing your frank
and containing the speech of / ilomas X.
Benton on the '~'eTpneing resolutions"
were this morning placed upon my table
herewith enclose them 10 you again,
wshout delay. There is no channel OF
communication between US: ,ge arc moi
personally acquainted. There is therefore
no mode through which you c4a address
me. unless it be officially, and in the dis
charge Of some public function imposed
upon you by the Constitution and laws Of
the land ami IS il is evident lba, this is
not in discharge of any -.ch public func
lion, the conclusion therefore follows that
u Is improper for You thus To address me
and 1t would be equally improper 10 me to
receive from you such a communication. 1
Upon looking around, / recognize pa
pers OF the same character beaTjHg p0ur
JFGnk. addressed 10 other members of the |
Legislature. and we are crcdibly inform
ed that the members cf the Legislature of
Tennessee received similar papers at the |
opening of the session in that state.
Sir: do you forget the character Of the |
the people you address, ard the form of
government under which you liver Do
yon forget, too, the solemn pronIise gog
franchise, and the freedom cf opinion ?
Yoar evident object in this instance is 10
tqiitcRce The op(Hi0uS Of The members Of The
Legislature And, whether they concur
or not with the United States Senate in
the resolution which they adopted con
iemnatory Of the condnct Of the Execuiye
IN removing the Pu6lic Deposites, is no,
necessary for me now to say bot | do
most so'emuly olljrct and protest against
the practice ofthe President Of the United
states, OF addressing any communication
whatever 20 the numbers Of state Lezis
lature for the pupnse &C Influencing their
actions and Opinions. II is without prece
Dent. and lfaueht yItd. fea,Gal and DANCE
rous consequences.
here take occasion also to enter my
protest against the late practice of the ex
ecailve in appealing from Tie decisions OF
the United States Senate, to The State LIE
grslatnres and the People. The members
oi this body without doubt, are strictly re
sponsible 10 their constituents 4; nor can il
DO doubted that they will be held 10 this
responsibility. But 1t IS not competent for
tue Executive 10 make himself third pa,
~ IN such a case and exercise the weight
OF his popularity, the patronage of the go
vernmeni, aud the Influence which his pe
coliar pos 4. n and station give him ln pro
curing sncn a verdict as may be in accor
dance with the laws "Gs he understands
them"
The Senate is tho only practical check
upon the eEcroachments OF the Executive:
and the resolutions passed, and the decl.'
rauons oil opinion made by that body
shonid be held, 10 a case like the present,
as legitimate and sacred.
10 what weight and authority would a
resolution Of the Alabama Legislature be
entitled, lnstruciing her Senator'S in Con
gress TO vote for Mr.. Benton's Fxpunginp
Resolutions, which instead of being spon
,aneons and voluntary, should be eriorted
ny such schemes and devices as these on
The part Of the Executive Of The United
States? ~
oar | solemaly entreat you 10 pause for
one moment, and seriously contemplate
the evil and dangerous consequences
which may result from such a cours.i~
Consider the high and responsible station
TO which you have been called by a CRATE
fui but free and eniightsned people and
not only abstain studiously aud cautiously
from all Inference with elections. ana
with The free exercise Of public opinion
but avoid the use OF all doubtful powers