The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-02-12


me exercises Of his power by its ministers, TO
nave Intended it to be used by our Tchef ma gis-
rate, or Inc head of department under his control
Inc boosted principle of the English constitu-
tion that the consent of Tie democratic Branch
OF the government w as not only necessary IN re-
celve money from the people, but thar II WINS its
unvlohble Prerogative also to originate all the
bills for that purpose, is trne in theory as in the
letter, but rendered utterly false and n ugatorv
IN effect hy the participation of the ministers of
the crown in the details of Lesis lation. Indeed
the influence they derive from setting as members
OF the lIouse of Commons, and from welding
me immense patronage of the crown (consu-
lional or usurpedD gives them power overthat
body, that renders plausible at least the base
fateiy or as it is more. probable, the intended
sarcasm of Sir Waller Raleigh, i'm an address to
James the LIST, that the demand Of the sovereign
upon the Commons for pecunlary aid, was in
tended only s'lhat the tax might seem to come
ION themselves whereas the inference is, it
was really laid by the sovereign himself.
Having thus given You my opinion Of some
things which might be done, and others which
should not he done, 10y President coming into
power by the support of those of the people
whoare opposed to The principles upon which
the present administration is conducted, YOU will
see that have omitted one which is deemed
by lnnny OF as much importance as any other
aude TO the appointment Of members Of Con-
gress to Office by the President. The consttu-
toh contains no prohibition of such appoint
believe in its necessity, from the purity of char
actcr which was manifested by those who pos.
sessed the confidence Of the people at that period.
1t is, however, an opinion very generally enter
famed ny the opposition PARTY, thar the country
would haye escaped much Of the evil under
which IL has suffered for some years past, if tho
Constitution had contained a prov sion of that
knd-tiavlnS had no opportunity of personal
observation on the conduct of the administration
for The last ten years, am unable 10 decide up
tt,r
should be very willing that the known subsur-
vency of the Legislature to the Executive, in
several memorable instances, should be accou
ted for in way somewhat injurious to the char
acter OF our country md Republicanism itself
than 10y the admission that the Fathers of the
lana, the trusted servants of virtuous people
could he seduced from the path of duty and
honor, ny the pa'try trappings and emoluments
of dependent Offices. But lfihe evil really exists
and if there be good reasons to believe that its
source is to be found in the. compatibility ofmem
bers of lheLcgislnture,a effectual remedy cannot
he 10 soon applied. And it happens in this case,
that there is choice of remedies. One of those
however,is in my opinion free from the objection
which might be offered to the other. The one
10 which object is, that which the late Pres-
dent has been so loudly called upon to adopt,
in consequence of promise made ut the com
nencetneni OF his administrator, viz: that the
Executive under no circumstances, should ap-
noint to office n member Of either branch ofthe
>"t'oudi mere are, mind.
several weighty reasons against the adoption of
his principle. detain you with the mention
ii but two of them, because, I believe that YOU
viii agree with me, that the alternative shall
present, while it would he equally ehectual, con-
aims no feature to which reasonable objection
could he made.
AS the Constitution contains no provision to
prevent the appointment, of members of Con-.
ress to office by the Executive, co ud the Elk.
cutive WITH a due regard to decacy and Justice,
without usurping power from the people, declare
disqualification which they had not thought
necessary? And where is the American citizen
Who regards the honor Of his country, the char.
cter OF its people, or who believes i'm the superb
rity of Republican form of Government, who
would be willing TO proclaim to the world, that
he youthful nation which has attracted so much
t lis attention, which it has much admired
DR. it gigantic strength, its undaunted courage it's
ttainments in literature and the and the ex.
ernal beauty OF its institutions was within
lass of meanness and corruption? That even
ne chosen servants of the people, were ever
eady, for paltry consideration, to abandon
leir allegiance to their lawful sovereigns and to
ecome the servants of servant The alterna-
We to this degrading course, is Def ound in de-
irving the Executive of all motive for acquiring
n Improper Influence yer the Legislature To
fleet this, nothing in my opinion is necessary
ut to re establish the principles upon which
he admit lstration was once conducted, with
single addition of Limiting the service of the
resident to one term. condensed enumera-
on of what conceive these principles to have
cen, is given above And think no one can
oilt, chat IT faithfully carried out, they would
e-efectual in securing the Independence of the
legislature, and confning the connection be-
Veen it and the Executive, to that alone which
warranted by fair construction of the Const-
tuition. ... ...
can conceive Of but two motives which could
duce a President Of the United States 10 en-
eaVor to procure controlling influence over
lie Legislative body, viz: TO perpetuate his
over, by passing laws to increase his patronage
his schemes and projects for the government
the country; and thus assmiating his situa-
on 10 that of the limited monarchs of Europe.
he principles above suggested, would eflactually
ssroy any disposition of the person elected by
e combined votes of the opposition to place
rr,cnlf In niiher ~ tIlLn