Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-06-07

from Office; nor can doubt that the power
of removal, wherever it exists, does, from
necessity, involve the power of general SUI
pervision; nor can | doubt that it might be
constitutisnally exercised in reference to the
deposites. Reverse the present case. Sup.
pose the late Secretary, instead Of being
against, had been in favor Of the removal,
and that the President, instead Of for, had
been against it, deeming their removal not
only inexpedient, but, under the circumstan-
ces, illegal, would any man doubt that, under
such circumstances, he had a right to re-
move, his Secretary; ifit were the. e..only means
ofprcventipg tlre removal ofthe deposites ?
Nay, would it not have been his indispensa-
bic duty TO have removed him? And had
he not, would he not have been universally
and justly held responsible?
! In further support Of this claim, l quote
from Mr.. Clay's speech at Fowler's Garden,
in which while he declaimed against the
abuse,ib fair inference admitted the const.
tutional power of removal.
"The President is INFESTED with the tre-
nlendous power of dismision, to. be exercised
for the public good, and not to crafty any
private passions or purposes. 1t was con-
tcrred to prevent the Public from suffering
through faithless or incompetent officers.
1t was made summary, because if the slow
process Of trial before q judicial tribunal
were resorted to, the public might be great
ly injured during the progress, and prior to
| thn decision oftbo coSen
| These opinions are founded upon the prin-
ciple that the President, being charged by
the Constitution with the whole executive
power, is Irresponsible to the country for the
due and faithful execution ofthe laws-his
oath requires it at his hands. In support
ofthis opinion, quote from MIR. Jefcrson's
letter to Monsieur De Tracy:
"NNhile the tranquil and steady tenor Of
our single Executive during course Of
twenty-five years ofthc most tempcstuous
times the history Of the world has ever pre-.
sented, gives rational hope that this impor-
tant problem is at length solved, aided by
the counscls of cabinet, heads of depart
ment, originally four, but now five, with
whom the President consults, either singly
or altogether, he has the benefit of their
wisdom ond information, brings their views
to one centre, and produces unity ofaction
and direction in all the branches Of the CO.
vcnlment. The excellence of this con.
struction ofthe executive power has already
manifested itself here under very opposite
circumstances. During the administration
of our first President, his cabinet Of four
members was equally divided by Us marked
an opposition Of principle as monarchism
and republicanism could bring into con-
| flict:: Had that cabinet been directory,
Gke'positive and negative quantities in alge-
bra, the opposing wills would have balanced
each other, and produced state of absolute
inaction,. But the President heard with
calmness the opinions and reasons of each,
decided the course to be pursued, and kept
the Government steadily in it, unaffected by
the agitation. The Public knew well the
dissensions ofthe cabinet, but never had an
uneasy thought on their account, because
they knew also they had provided regula.
ting power, which would keep the machine
in steady movement" ~.
also refer to Mr.. Madison's opinion in
the debate before referred to, and just quo
ted. also refer to Judge fuckers Com.
mentary on Blackstone, appendix to lst
volume, part /, in which he says:
"The true point Of responsibility rests
upon the shortness of the period for which
a President of the United States is elected;
and the power which the People possess Of
rejecting him at a succeeding election"
The same able author says, responsibility
pursues him (the PresidenD in every. situa.
| ton, whether active or passive, sleeping or
awake;" sentiment, the truth of which is
confirmed by that unerring test, experience.
And to the opinion of Mr.. Calhoun, ex-
pressed in letter to Gen. Hamilton, 1928,
in which he says:
"No relation can be more confidential
than that between the President and men,
bers ofthe cabinet, as his constitutional ad-
yisers, charged as he is with the executive
duties Of the Government, which were YES
ted in single person, to give energy and
promptneSs III execution"
The principle of duty in the Executive
Department, as maintained by all our distin.
guished statesmen, necessarily attaches to it
responsibility, and with that responsibility
the power ofremoval for it would be most
outrageous to hold the President responsible
for the faithful execution of the laws, and at
the same time compel him to retainin Office
sci ofunworthy officers, who would thwart
his views and resist his authority, prevent
ing the prompt and faithful execution of the
laws. should have thought the construc-
ton of the Constitution, by its very authors,
and the uniform practice ever since, would
have settled this principle so far as 10 pre-.