The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-12-17
WHOLE NO. 800.

administration for the last ten years, am I'M
able to decide upon the truth or error OF this
opinion. But I should be very willing thai
the known subseryiency of the Legislature 10
the Executive, in several memorable instan-
ces, should be &C counted for in way some
what less injurious 10 the character Of the
country and Of republication ITSELF than by
the admission that the fathers of the land, the
trusted servants Of a viriuons people, could
be sednced from the path Of duty and honor,
by the paliry trappings and emoluments of
dependent Offices. But il the evil really ex-
lists, and If there be good reason to believe
that its source is 10 be found in the corrupt
bility Of the members of the Legislature, an
efectnal remedy cannot be too soon applied.
And it happens in this instance that there is
choice Of remedies. One OF those, how
ever, is in my opinion, free from the objec-
i tons which might be offered to the other
The one to which object is, that which the
late President has been so loudly called upon
TO adopt, in consequence Of a promise made
at the commencement Of his administration,
viz that the Executive under no circumstan-
ces should appoint to Office member of
either branch Of the National Legislature.
| There are, in my mind, several weighty rea-
4 couS uSdiiiot tuC auOplOtl Ol pfihSipiS. a
will detain you with the mention Of but two Of
them, because believe that you will agree
! with me, that the alternative shall present,
while it would be equally effectual, contains
no feature to which a reasonable objection
could be made.
As the Constitution contains no provision
to prevent the appointment Of members Of
Congress to Office by the Executive, could the
Executive with due regard TO decency and
justice, without usurping power from the peo-
pie, declare disqualification which they had
not thought necessary! And where is the
American citizen who regards the honor of
his country, the character Of its people, or who
believes in tho superiority Of republican
form Of government. who would be willing to
proclaim TO the world. that the youthful nation
which has attracted SO much Of its attention,
| which it has so much admired for its gigantic
strength, its undaunted courage, its high at
tainments in literature and the arts, and the
external beauty Of its institutions, was within
a mass Of meanness and corruption That
even the chosen servants Of the people, were
ever ready for paltry consideration, to aban-
don their allegiance to their lawful sovereigns,
and to become the servants of a servant The
alternative to the degrading course, is TO be
found in depriving the Executive Of all mo-
tive for acquiring an improper influence over
the Legislature.
"To effect this, nothing in my opinion is
necessary but to re-establish the principles
upon which the administration was once con-
Quoted, with single addition Of limiting the
services of the president to one Term. A con-
densed enumeration of what conceive those
principles to have been, is given above. And
think no one can doubt, that, if faithfully
carried out, they would be effectual in secur-
ing the independence of the Legislature, and
combining the connection between il and the
Executive, to that alone which is warranted
by fair construction of the Constitution.
can conceive Of but two motives which could
induce President of the United States to en-
deavor to procure controlling influence over
the Legislative body, VITO perpetuate his
power, by passing laws to increase his patron
age--or TO crafty his vanity, by obtaining
their sanction to his schemes and projects for
the government of the country; and thus as
Stimulating his situation TO that of the limited
monarchs of Europe. The principles above
suggested, would effectually destroy any dis
position Of the person elected by the combin-
ed votes Of the opposition, to place himself in
years to private life, with no wish or prospect
Of any son Of his succeeding" legitimate or
adopted, he would leave the government as
prosperous and pure in its administration, as
when il passed from the hands Of the great
Apostle Of Democracy" TO the Father of
our Constitution.
ITO the duties which have enumerated,
so proper in my opinion to be performed by a
President elected by the opposition to the
present administration, land which are, as |
believe, Of constitutional obligation,) | will
add another which believe also to be of
much Importance. | mean the observance OF
the most conciliatory course of conduct to-
wards our political opponents. After the
censure which our friends have so freely and
so justly bestowed upon the present Chief
Magistrate, for having, in no inconsderable
degree, disfranchised the whole body of his
political opponents, | am certain that no oppo-
sitionist, true TO the principles he Processes,
would approve a similar course Of conduct in
the person whom his vote has contributed 10
elect. In Republic, one Of the surest tests
of healthy state Of its institutions, is to be
found in the immunity with which every cili-
zen may, upon all occasions, express his
political opinions and even his prejud,ces, in
the discharge of his duty as an elector.
"The question may perhaps be asked Of
me, what security have in my power to
offer if the majority Of the American people
should select me for their Chief Magistrate,
that would adopt the principles which |
have herein laid down as those upon which
my administration would be conducted, /
could only answer, by referring to my con-
duct, and the disposition manifested in the
discharge Of the duties of several important
offices, which have heretofore been conferred