The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-29

much OF the evil under which II has suffered LOT some
wears past the Constitution had contained provision
1 OF that kind Having had opportunity Of personal
observation The conduct Of The administration Tor the
asi ten years, unable decide upon the truth or
error Of this opinion. And ! should be very wiling
that the known subserviency Of the Legislature to The
Executive in several memorable instances, should be
accounted for in way e~hst less injurious TO the
character Of country and Repubcsnlsm itself, than
by the admission that the Fathers OF the land the trusted
servants Of people could be sedueed from the
oah of duty and honor. by the ps,ry irapPIDgs aud
emolumenls Of dependent Offices. Bot II the evil really
EXISTS and IL there be good 10 believe that Its
source is 10 be found in the compatibility OF The mem
beers Of the Legislature, eecual remedy cannot be
too soon applied And happens IN this case mat ieie
/. choice OF remedies. One OF those, however, 10 ~
nv opinion free from the objections which might be OF.
fered 10 the other The to which object Is, that
which the late President has been so loudly called upon
10 adopt, consequence Of promise made at The COM
mencement OF his administration VIZ that the Execu-
tive under no circumstances should appoint TO ONCE
member Of either branch OF the National Legislature:
There are in my mind several weighty reasons against
the adoption OF this principle will deain you with
the mention Of but two Of lhem because believe that
you will agree with me, that the alternative shall pre-
sent while il would be equally effectusl, contains no
feature to which reasonable objection could be made
As the Constitution contains provision to prevent
the appointment Of members Of Congress TO office by
the Executive, could the Executive with due regard
TO decacy and justice, without usurplng power from
the people, declare disqualification which they had
not thought necessary And where is the American
czea who regards the honor Of his country the cha
racter OF its people who believes the superiority
of Republican form Of Government, who would he
willing TO proclaim TO the world that the youthful
ton which has attracted much Of It's attention which
il has much admired for It's gigantic strength It's I'M
dauned courage its high sitanmrnts in literature and
the arts and the external beauty Of It's Institutions,
within, Of mesnness and corruptioui That
the chosen servants OF the people, ready, for
patry consideration, to abandon their allegiance TO
their lawful soveregns, and to become the servants OF
servant The alternative TO this degrading course, IS to
be found in depnving the Executive Of all motive for
acquiring improper influence the Legislature,
To effect this nothing IN my opinion necessary but to
reestabsh the principles upon which the adminstra-
ton conducted with single addition OF
limiting the service Of the President TO one term. A
condensed enumeration Of what conceive these prin-
clpes to have been, is gwen above, And think no
doubt, that, If faithfully carried out they would
be efectua IN securing the Independence Of the Legs
ature. and conhnlng the connection between and the
Executive, TO that alone which warranted by fair
construction OF the Constitution can conceive Of but
two motives which could induce President OF the
United States TO endeavor TO procure controlling IN
fuence the Legislative body, viz to perpetuae his
power BY passing laws to increase his patronage-or
crafty his vanity, by obtaining their sanction to his
schemes and projects for the government Of the country
aud thus assnatng his situation to that OF the limited
moDarchs Of Europe The principles above suggested
would electualy destroy any disposition Of the person
elected by the combined votes Of the opposition TO
place himself in either attitude. Retiring the end OF
four years to private life with wish prospect Of
any Of his succeeding legitimate adopted, he
would leave the Government prosperous and pure IN
lis administration when it passed from the hands Of
the great Apostle OF Democracy" to the Father Of
Constitution.
( To the duties which have enumerated as proper in
my opinion to be performed by President, elected by
the opposition TO the present administration, and which
are, as believe, Of constitutional obligation,) will
mention another which believe also to be Of much i'm
porance. i mean The observance OF the most
clatoy Of conduct towards political oppo-
nen.s After The censure which friends have
freely and Justly bestowed upon the present Chief
Magistrate for having in lnconsderable degree, dis
anchlsed the whole body Of his political opponents
am certain that oppostionis true to the principles
he processes, would approve similar OF conduct
IN the person whom his vote has contributed to elect
In Republic, Of the tests of healthy state
OF IT'S institutions, Is the immunity with which every
citizen may, upon all occasions, express his political
opinions and particularly his prejudces in the discharge
of his duty eector.
The question may perhaps be asked Of me, what
curly have my power Offer if the majority Of The
American people should select for their Chief Ma
glsra'e that would adopt the principles winch ! have
herein laid down. as those upon which the administra-
ton would be conducted. | could only answer, by
ferrng to my conduct, and the dispersion manifested in
the discharge OF the duties Of several important Offices
which have heretofore been conferred upon me If the
power placed in my hands, has, on even single
sion been used for any purpose than that for which it
given or retained longer than was necessary 10
accomplish the objects designated by those from whom
the trusts were received. | will acknowledge that
either will constitute sufficient for dscred,ing
any promise | may make, under the circumstances in
which am now placed
am, dear, sir truly yours,
w H. HARRISON.
To the Hon. HARMAR DeNYY