Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-08-16

IRON office, which the trainers of the consti.
tution did not deem il necessary TO restrain
which they seemed in fact to regard MS al,
most incapable of abuse, and for the exercise
OF which for sinister purposes, the father OF
the Constitution, (Mr. Madison) declared the
President would be liable to impeachment,
has been openly abused for the worst of pur-
poses. The appointment Of subordinat ex-
ecutive officers, which .was. 5n .lhe cen,ern.
plation Of the trainers Of the constitution. a
high and delicate trust, to be executed for the
single purpose OF a faithful execution of the
laws, has been converted into an instrument
OF executive ambition. The check Of the
Senate has been rendered almost nugatory
by the power which the President has been
able TO exert over that body by his influence,
brought TO bear upon the election OF It's mem
oers, and upon themselves personally, afer
their election. The subordinate executive
officers multiplied to vast extent and locat-
ed IN every State and Territory, and in al.
most every town and village Of the Union,
have, by the avowed principle of their an
pointment and liability TO removal, been bro't
into state of such complete dependence on
the executive, as to attach them most strong.
10 his interests, in opposition to the other
branches oil the government. Thousands OF
oflcers have been removed because they
would not become the partizans of the exec
i've, and thousands put in their places be.
cause they would The spirit Of executive
partlzanship has.been thus infused into the
whole corps of executive officers, and been
armed with their whole influence 10 aid in
giving the executive a control over the non.
ular mind. The President has, in fact. an
agent, faithful 10 his interests in almost eve.
ry town and village in The Union. In The
fearful enlargement OF his power, the char
acter OF his high Office has been changed
from that ofan upright unambrious repub-
lcan Chief Magistrate, TO the mere head OF
party. He wields patronage ofmilIons
and that patronage has been found 10 give
to men in his service, an activity, an ener-
gy and perseverance which patriotism
would be powerless TO impart
1t is by such means that there has come
to be Presidents Party in the United
States. and that i. is distinguished above all
other parties in the country for its unity of
purpose, the completeness Gifts organization,
and the vgor and efficiency OF its operations.
II is against this party, fellow citizens,
that we are contending. We are fighting
the battle ofthe constitution against the dar-
ing encroachmenls OF power.
Il were comparatively, an easy task to
maintain the true principles OF the Const-
tuition IN their conflict with abstract error
II it stood only in its own strength, there
would be little TO fear from IT, But when
other means than that OF ar gument are used
10 sustain IL when patronage comes in, Win
IT'S appeal TO the selfish passions, and its long
tain Of sinister influences truth struggles
with fearful odds. Let the party against
which we are contending. be stripped of its
executive armor; let the power Of making
and unmakng thousands Of executive Off
GERS. be placed in hands where it shall cease
to have connexion with party-where it
can exert no political influence, and find no
motives of ambition to stimulate il TO en-
croachment, and our work as party will
be accomplished Our very name will cease
to have practical significancy. II the un-
righteous assumptions of power by British
King had been seasonably abandoned and
our revolutionary fathers been permitted the
enjoyment Of their just rights, the name OF
Wing would never have been consecrated in
their seven years struggle for liberty. But
power sought to govern them without their
consent. and the Wings Of '76 resisted it,
Power usurped, now seeks 20 govern the
people Of the United States, and the Wings
of 1889 grid on their armor to meet it. Ii
does not cross the ocean in armed legions TO
crush US by physical force, but it rises up in
the midst Of Useless imposing, indeed but
more dangerous 1t is not the power oil
arms. but OF inhuence-not the influence of
truth acting on the reason of men, but Of pat
ronage acting on their selfshness and ere
dulity.
The great question at issue between the
Wings and Executive parties, is vital ques-
ton. 1t goes to the foundation of the Con-
stitution. and is of an importance incompar.
ably greater than can be connected with any
measures affecting merely the credit. the
currency, the manufacturers, or the COM
merce ofihe country. The Wing party are
resisting encroachInents of power which,
acquiesced in, will subvert the Constitution
A functional arrangement of the human sys-
tenn may be cured with comparative ease !;
but how formidable is an organic disease,
firmly seated. Who shall restore the Con-
stitution, after it has been essentially chang
ed by usurpation, and popular acquiescence2
Who shall administer remedy. when the
same operation that diseases the patient, in
flicls paralysis upon the only physician
that has the power OF healing.
Looking only Mt the abuses of Executive
power in their fragrant enormity as viola
tons ofthe Constitution, there would seem in
them enough 10 warrant the hone Of an i'm