The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-08-15
Enn TILE CALEpoNIAN.

assumption of power, wholly unprecedented IN the
history of our country-exhibiting wide and lar
ing departure from the principles of democracy
adhered to by Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe,
which. in contra distinction TO federalism, de-
fined to be, "the retaining the power in the hands
of the many" So far as the claims Of tho Van Blu
rem party to democracy rest upon the measures OF
the administration, there is total failure. The
claim IS insult to the understanding of the peo-
Pile. "The pOaoer has been concentrated in the hands
of the feao, regardless ofthe aoiU of the many"
In country of our extent of territory, It is obvi-
ously mpracticable for the people to assemble for
legislation. Still the principles of democracy are
preserved by the Constitution while the Government
assumes the form of Republic. In Vermont, and
other States of the Union, the right of suffrage
is guaranteed to every freeman regardless of prop
erty The power is declared TO be originally in the
hands of the people. Through the ballot box, the
people transfer for the time being, the power of legis
lation to their representatives, who, when assem-
bled in their legislative capacity practically the
uoice Of The people. The representatives in our
State Legislatures and in Congress, the peoples
by the people, TO for
them and in their stead, in matters of legislation.
The Governors of the several States as we'll as the
President of the United States are mere executive
officers, charged with the functions of duties defined
by the constitution; but they are not the people,
To the Executives, the people have never delegated
the power of legislation, nor did the trainers of the
constitution ever contemplate the originating of any
bill or lao with the Executive 1t was considered
feature of monarchy, incompatible with n Repub-
lican Government. These principles have
been recognized by the Wing party, and their op-
position to the present dynasty has been based mate
rally upon its encroachments upon these principles,
thus constiutonally defined.
An early attempt was made by Gen. Jackson to palm
upon Congress an E1eeutiue Bill. A bill had passed
both houses of Congress in 1882 rechartng the U. s.
Bank. This was vetoed by the President, and re-
turned to the Horse with statement of his obec-
tons to tin the course Of which document he in
Inmates that if requested HE aoould fornish plan
for Bank that aoOuld meet the Dieaos of the E1ecu-
tire The peoples representatives had then too
much frmness TO yield to this attempt corruption
and the executive bill, though subsequently limited
at, was never formally presented.
"A more summary method was adopted by Pres-
dent Jackson, as have had occasion to notice in
previous number. Instead of proposing favorite
measure in the form of an Executive BILL the sense
ofCongress was taken through the medium of trusty
partisan members, and if adverse to the views of
the President, the EXECUTIVE, stakes the response
bity, and during the of CON- carries the
measure into effect. Witness the removal of the
pubic depostes, the issuing ofthe treasury order Sc
AT length, impatient at the reiterated assertions
on the floor of Congress, that the popular branch of
the Legislature, was the proper representative of
the people, President Jackson asserts, in public
document, the astounding doctrine that the EXEC
uTIvE IS the more direct representative of the People,
lnasmuch as he is the choice of a majority of the
aohote people, whereas the representatives in Con-
sress only the choice of majority of different
sections of the country A Bonaparte could have
said more. This dc Urine admitted, and orr
boosted democracy vanishes into air. The mower ia
"concentrated," not only in the hands of the few
but the "simplfcation of the machinery of our aov
eminent is completed, and the power is vested in
ONE MAN.
Will 1t be said that Mr.. Van Buren repudiates
tins doctrine and that his democracy is sufficient
guaranty Of the rights of the people, and an abiura-
ton OF absolute power? Need call to your recol-
lection, sir, the fact, that when an excited partisan
assemblage at Philadelphia had communicated to
him resolution in which they "hold themselves
ready to organize volunteer legion of TEN rHous
AND, fully armed and equipped, to secure the rigid
enforcing of the laws and the ORDERS of the EXEC
uTIvE either now issued, or aohich maybe hereafter
issued,' he, Mr.. Van Buren,, replied, "making his
Acknowledgements for the expression of their con-
fidence, and for the accompanying PLEDGE OF SUP
PORT and COOPERATION"
Does this SAVIOR of democracy of despo.ism?
Has 1t come to this, that the boosted democratic
party is ready pledge army of ten thousand men
to carry into effect the orders of the Executive.
either now issued, or which MAY BE HEREAFTER
To m 4bo
accept the proffered pledge? and will the indepen-
dent republicans of Vermont yield themselves for
the support of party so reckless of the liberties of
the country, and of her constitutional rights because
the leaders of this party unjusy to them
selves the title of the democratic party? Still
further remarks next week. JEFFERSON.
COMMENCEMENT. The annual commencement n,
the University of Vermont took place August Cd.