The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-04-17

or other, trust, that sanction may be revoked IL
the doctrines OF political morality inculcated by this
report shall once be recognized and established in
this country, the days of Anne can liberty are mum.
bered, Let L be understood and proclaimed as the
doctrines Of this report In effect proclaim that the
public trusts OF the nation, won In the first instance
ar The favorte motto of the "spoils OF victory Is to
preva) by party seryily are 10 be retained by cleo
pioneering actviy-thai partisan service is The re-
quired return for Office as Office Is TO be the reward
OF partisan service, and you lay nc once, the foun-
dalton Of the most odious and fatal despotsm which
The mind Of man can conceive-ofa sordid party
dsspotim far worse than military despotisn,. be-
cause, though less fatal 10 human life IL would be
infinitely more destructive 10 human morals, and TO
every manly and generous sentiment. Your Office
holders, through all the ranks Of venaly and degra-
dalion, would be banded together by one common
principle OF serylity and devotion to their chief;
they would vie with each other only In the merit
and efficiency OF their elecioneering services; and
amid the din and hustle OF the official canvass. az
committees eaaeas~s and conventions all organized
and directed secretly openly, by the agency of OIL
flee holders the voice of the people would be slided,
or to the more expressive language OF MIR. JEFF
ferson, amohersd BY the enormous patronage ofthe
government You would have your PrGtorean
bands Of ofice-holders at the Capitol and your Ls
gionayy armies of them in the Frorinces (tor your
sovereign States would become dependent pro-
vnces,) who would dispose OF The Presidency as alb
souely as the PrGtoriaa bands and Legi6naryar-
mics Of Rome did Of the Imperial Purple
The forms Of your government would still be pre-
served but Of what avail the forms without The spi
ri Of free government high authority, indeed, has
told US " that the greatest mssters Of tyranny have
judged the form without the spirit Of free government
favorable TO their schemes Of oppression, than all
the authority that absolute monarchy give" Rome,
under the debasing despo,ism Of the G@ssrs had still
her Senate, and coma or assemblies Of the people;
public affairs were, for long time, still conducted in
the name Of the Consul the Cehsor the AuguT and the
Tribune Of the people The forms Of popular election
still kept up, and the Emperor himself was an cleo
tive magistrate. But the spirit OF liberty was extinct
The Senate sunk in servi.y, and the seryil,y Of
the Senate at length infected the Of the people
Warned by these examples, il becomes us TO keep
alive in bosoms that watchfu jealousy Of power,
and that sturdy spirit of freedom, which fired the breasts
and guided the councils Of our glorious ancestors
The doctrines Of political morality nculcated in this
port lrepea MIR President war with all The che
rished principles Of republican fathers and they
shall strike root in SOIL they will be fatal 10 the
best hopes Of American liberty. You have, hastily and
without due consideration given them apparent sane
ton, at least by ordering unusually large number Of
copies OF the report 10 be printed for dissemination
among the people Let now. in some way or other,
perform "soiemn lustration," TO cleanse ourselves
from the contamination Of doctrines so hateful
and so dangerous. We can do so in no manner more
appropriate and effectnal than by solemn re-
affirmation Of the principles Of Mr.. Jefferson, IN the
face Of this report. With this view, have prepared
resolution which, the Senate will perceive, expressed
Mexican, and Of his memorable circular. lone Of the
proudest monuments, in my opinion Of his principles
and fame,) which commits the constitutional
question that has been raised but leaves that open for
the deliberate investigation Of committee and the fl-
ture decision Of the Senate. trust them that all who
profess themselves disciples Of tine democratic falth Will
be happy in having this opportunity afforded them OF
subscribing their adhesion to the doctrines Of him whom
the Senator from New Jersey himself has styled the
great apostle Of democracy"
a. ol,,tioo
Whereas "ihe constitutional remedy by the elective
principle becomes nothing il il may be smohered BY the
patronage Of the General Government" and
whereas. also, freedom Of elections is essential to the
mutual independence Of the State and Federal Govern
men,s and Of the different branches Of the same Co
vernment, vitality cherished by American institn-
tions -:
Resolved therefore, That in the opinion Of the Sc
nate il highly Improper for officers depending on
the Executive Of the Union to attempt TO control in
nuence the free exercise Of the elective right"
Resoiped also, That measures ought to be adopted
by Congress, so far their constitutional powers may
extend. to restrain by law the interference Of Federal
officers with elections, otherwise than by giving their
votes; and that the report Of the Judiciary Com
mee be commilted 10 select committee with in
structions to newmodel according to the principles
declared in the foregoing preamble aud resolutions.
Mr., BUCHANAN said One thing at a time is
enough The question on the bill is before us, and
| cannot consent 10 the changing Of this issue. To-
morrow morning should be willing to take up the reso
tutions Of the Senator from Virginia, but at this time
desire nothing but the bill as !, is before the body
Mr. WALL The Senator from Virginia is for
changing the issue entirely, and he has failed IN demon
stating that the report framed 10 excite office
holders to interference elections The gentleman
looks for tendencies, while the committee discuss
Ing the rights OF citizens. Ofhce.hoders may DO cn-
zens and tell the Senator that the distinction which
he makes Is not to be found in the Constitution. What
thuyv, thaa not
JOY the same privileges with other citizens! object
Mr. President to having these resolutions connected at
all with the report. whatever may be the new lights Of
the Senator from Virginia on this subject
Mr. KING. am surprised that the Senator from
Virginia should ask that the resolutions should be con-
nected with the report The report is not before US,
and therefore cannot now be acted on inasnnch as
IS merely an argument against the bill. When the
bull shall have been disposed Of if the Senator from
Virginia will present independent proposition, look
ing to some other action, it may then be in order.
Mr. KY Els said he would put question to the
Senator from Alabama, he was perfectly skilled in
matters OF order Here report which recon-
mended that this bill should be- rejected. Now it
not ~ order TO move to recommit the bill with nsruc.
tons :!
Mr. KING. Unquestionably.
Mr. RlVES will not make that motion now, but
would say to the Senator from New Jersey that
date my democracy as far back l79S--99, so that
my lights are perhaps not his own; and IN
respect to the Indictment presented by the report 10
Office holders 10 interfere in elections, should have
been glad If he had followed my argument that effect
step by step, and showed the contrary.
Mr.. CUTHBERT / would ask the Senator from
Virginia il he proposes to recommit the BILL and report
with instructions To drop the bill
Mr.. RIVES. Yes
Mr.. CUTHBERT. Then the gentleman jusifes
the report by shrinking from the defence Of tho bill
Mr.. tIvES. The gentleman is mistaken. would
recommt the BILL with instructions TO modify this bull
or to frame another, which, in accordance
with the resolutions which have presented, SO that
do not give up the BILL but would simply refer to the
committee
Mr.. CRITTENDEN. The Senotor has done no
thing more than what is common he has submitted
proposition, IN writing, on which he proposes
hereafter do not know that am willing to give MP