Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-05-12
.vrpacT FROM MR. WEBsTER's
F'A w. SPEECH. sos s.il

,a.r sreaking on various great political
.a,.nres of the day, Mr. w. continues as
Follows MI
u IL ndsanoement of the Executive author
~ ap !. Al tonic which has already been allud-
Ia to, r. donoor
U' ,b;s source. believe the Power of
lIO'' r ~ has increased, is increasing,
vac I n anNb, now to be brought back within its
e"u W. constitutional limits. have moth
eOO'." do uhh the motives, which have led
4 us sAO.r acts, which | believe to have trans
s .IV the boundaries Of the Constitution.
r saS motives may always be assumed, as
o ~ motives NAV always be imputed. Good
", u will always be pleaded, for every
..snmn,ion of power; but they cannot JUS
aS S' !, avon if we were sure that they existed.
Ills hardly too strong 10 say, that the Con
s;,n,ion was made TO guard the People a
ra ,; the dangers of good intention, zeal or
Srslpnded When bad intentions are boldly
1yowed the People will promptly take care
y ,bsmseyes. On the other hand, they
will always be asked, why they should re-
,;a or question, that exercise OF power,
wb;cb is so fair in its object, SO plausible and
rotriotic in appearance, and which has the
pahl;c GOOD alone confessedly in view p
Hnman beings, we may he assured, will
generally exercise power, when they can
get il. and they will exercise i, most I'M
doubtedly, in popular Governments, under
nretences of public safety, or high public
interest 1t may be very possible, that good
Intentions do really sometimes exist when
4 Constitutional restraints are disregarded.-
4 There are men, in all ages, who mean TO ex
ercise power usefully; but who mean to ex
ercise It. They mean to govern well bu'
thew mean to govern They promise to bt
kind masters; but they mean to be masters
/ They think there need be but little restraint
upOn themselves. Their notion of the pub
| lie interest," is apt to be quite closely con
necled with their own exercise OF authority
| They may not indeed always understand
their own motives The love of power ma!
sink TOO deep in their hearts, even for ihei
own scrutiny and may pass with themselves
/ for patriotism and benevolence.
A character has been drawn OF a yer.
eminent citizen of Massachusetts, Of the las
age, which, though think it does not entire
ly belong to him, yet very well describes
4 certain class OF public men. 1t was SAT-
q this distinguished son of Massachusetts
that in matters of politics and government
he cherished the most kind and benevolen
feelings towards the whole Earth. He earn
estly desired 10 see all nations well govern
ed; and to bring about this happy result, h
wished that the United States might Cover
d the resi- of the world that Massachuseti
might govern the United States that Bosto
might govern Massachusetts; and as 70
\ himself his own humble ambition would
satisfied, by governing the little town
j Boston.
do not intend, gentlemen, 10 commit
unreasonable trespass on your patience, 6
TO discuss all those cases, in which L thin
executive power has been unreasonbly e.
tended shall only allude 10 some of then
and as being earliest in the order of tim
and hardly second to any other in impor
ance | mention the practice of remov'
from all Offices, high and low, for opinion
sake, and on the avowed ground of givin
patronage 10 the President; that is to say,
giving him the power of influencing men
political opinions, and political conduct, /
hopes and by fears, addressed directly
'nelr pecunlary interests. The great bait
on this point, was fought and was lost, in Il
Senate OF the United States, in the last Sc
sion of Congress, under Mr. Adams's a
nmlsiration, After General Jackson wi
known 10 be elected, and before his term
once began, many important Offices BEGAN
vacant by the usual causes of death and
sgnation. Mr. Adams, of course, nomini
60 persons to fill these vacant offices. B
majority OF the Senate was composed
'he friends Of General Jackson; and
S s1 oil acting on these nominations, al
ming the vacant Offices, with ordina
Womptltude, the nominations were postpo
eu' 10 day beyond the 4th of March,
'ne purpose, openly avowed, of giving I
pa'ronage OF the appointments, to the r
Sluenl who was then coming into office.
ana when the new President entered on
once he withdrew these nominations, a
Senl In nominations of his own friends
their place
was OF opinion then, and am of opini
now that that decision of the Senate We
'aI 10 unhx the proper balance of the g
s.nmenl 1t conferred on the President
power so OF rewards for party purposes or P
sUual purposes, without limit or control.
sanctioned manilestly and plainly, that ex
rseoi power. which Mr. Madison had 81
JOuld deserve impeac hment; and il co
p.e'ely defeated one great object which
NC 'UId the trainers Of the constitution c,
sSsmPla'ed, in the manner of forming
senate; that is, that the Senate might b