The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-10-17
From The Charlottesville Republican

EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE POWER
The great principle achieved by the Revolution
was the supremacy Of the peoples frtH and nothing SO
intensely and ardently engaged the patriotic solicit
tude OF the sages and patriots OF that ever glorious
and evenful period, as in delegating the powers of
the Government 10 this great attribute of free
government. An attentive and diligent examination
of the articles of confederation which establish
ed during the Revolution, and the federal constu-
ton by which il was succeeded, cannot fail to con-
vince the impartial inquirer after truth tina, the
Sovereignty Of the people was the principle which
above all others was intended TO be secured by the
construction of those baements Of liberty. Those
who formed these instruments well knew from their
own severe experience, the sources OF danger to this
great principle of human liberty, and attempted by
every means which human sagacity could desvise to
destroy, or so to check them, TO avert their dan
ger In every line of the constitution and in its dis
tribuon of powers TO each Of the three great asen-
cies to be employed in the exercise Of the functions
OF government, the executive, legislative and Judi
cial may be distinctly traced the great caution and
jealousy with which these powers were melted out,
and the cautious imposition of limitations and re-
strictionS upon their exercise, and nothing is more
manifest than that no powers were intended to be
impaired than those which were actually and indis-
pensably necessary TO carry the government, all
others being reserved to the people, their only safe
depository.
Another fact is most strikngly manifest, that the
trainers of the constitution in imparng 10 each of
the Departments ofthe Government their appropriate
powers, cautiously attempted to secure each against
the action of the Others so as To prevent that in
fuence or control Of each over the other as would
endanger their independence, and in effect subject
all the powers Of government 10 the control Of sin
gle department TO the ultimate destruction of the
whole, and OF the liberties Of the people The wis
dom OF this distribution of powers and of those
guards which were placed around each to secure its
independent action is most sgnally illustrated by
the progress of the government in which the repeat
ed and successful attempts of the executive and most
dangerous branch OF il, to usurp the powers OF the
Legislative and judicial branches particularly he
legislative are to be found every stage till in fact
and in truth the Legislature is fast approaching to be
to the executive What the Roman Senate was To III.
berus, and the French Legislative body 10 Napo-
leon, mere registry Of executive edicts
II there was any wisdom in distributing the powers
Of the Government and any safety to our free nsti-
tutions and the liberties of the people in securing
each department In the independent exercise Of It's
assigned powers, then there is wisdom and safety in
conning each department 10 the exercise Of its dele
gated powers, and securing each against The influ-
ence and control of the others by the strctest vigi-
lance and wachfulneSs and constant check upon
their attempts at usurpation The history Of all free
governments and the operations of our own system
conclusivey prove, that constant and unsleeping
watchiuneSs and jealousy are essentially necessary
10 resist and check the encroachmentS of the cxecu-
tive, upon the other branches Of the government
and TO secure them against the absorption of all
their powers
The executive branch Of our government although
hihhed and restricted by constitutional checks and