Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-02-09
Y L NJ Il T. Il ).

mems, IN doatt because its authors could not be
hex ~ ITS necessity. from the purity OF charac-
ter which was manifested by those who possess
ed The confidence OF the people at that period
II Is, however, an OPINION very generally enter
tanned by the opposition party, that the country
would have escaped much of the evil under which
II has suffered for some years past, if the Con
stitution had contained provision OF that kind.
Having had no opportunity of personal observa-
ton on the conduct OF the administration for the
last ten years. am unable to decide upon the
truth or error of this opinion. And | should be
very wiling that the known subservicncy of the
Legislature TO the Executive. in several mem
orabie instances, should be accounted for in n
way somewhat less injurious To the character Of
our country and Republicauism ITSELF than by
the admission that the iarthers of the land, tho
trus ed servants Of Iiruous people, could be
seduced from the path OF duty and honor by tho
palirv rappineS and emoumon,s of dependent
/ officers. Bat # tho evil really exists, and if
there be good reason 10 believe that its Is
TO be found In the compatibility of the members
of the legislature, an eifcciual remedy cannot DO
too applied And it happens in this case
that there is choice of remedies. One of those,
however. Is IN my oftinlon free from tho obiec-
lions which might be offered TO the other The
one To which object is, that which the late
President has been loudly called upon TO a
dept, III consequence OF promise made at the
commencement of his administration viz: that
the Executive under no circumstances should
appoint 10 office a member of either branch Of
the National Legislature. There are, in my
mind several weightv against the "a
doption OF ims principle. | will detain you
with the mention of bat two of them. because, l
believe that YOU will agree with mo, that the al
Tentative shall present, while II would DO equ-
ally etcctnal. contains no feature 10 which a
reasonable objection could be made
As the Constitution contains no provision 10
prevent the appointment OF members of Con-
gross 20 office by the Executive, could the Exc
!, cutive, with u duo regard 10 delicacv aud JUS
r tee, without usurping power from the people,
, declare n disqualification which they had not
, thought necessary, And where is tho Ameri-
can citizen who regards the honor Of his country
, the character Of It's people, who believes in
the superiority OF republican form of govern
: rnent, who would Be willing to proclaim to tho
world, that the youthiui nation which has at
tracted So much Of lis attention, which it has SO
, much admired Cor It's gigantic strength, its I'M
daunted courage, its tigh a,tainments in li,era-
ture and arts, and the external beauty of it's
institutions, was within u mass of meanness and
!. corruption?-That even the chosen servants Of
the people, were ever ready for n paltry
o sideratlon to abandon their allegiance TO their
f lawful sovereigns aud 10 become tho lawful ser
i wants OF n servant The alternative to this de-
I grading course, Is TO be found in depriving tho
Executive Of all motive, for acquiring an mprop-
er influence the Legisaturc.-To effect
this nothing IN my opinion is necessary but 10
) re-establish the principles upon which the ad-
e minisiration was once conduct ted, with single
# addition OF limiting the service Of the President
g TO one term condensed enumeration Of what
l. conceive these principles 10 have been, is given
4 above. And think can doubt that, If
s faithfully carried out, they would be effectual IN
V securing the independence Of the Legislature,
} and conflnlng the connection between il and the
l. Executive, to that alone which is warranted by
l. a fair construction of the Constitution. l can
a conceive OF but two motives which could induce
- a President of the United States TO endeavor to
n inf ha
l. atlve body, VITO perpetuate his power, by
j. passing laws TO increase the patronage-or graf
J. ty his vanity, by obtaining their sanction to his
d scheme and projects for the government Of the
d country, and thus nssmatng his situation to
= that of the Limited monarchs Of Europe. The
g principles above suggested, would effectually
e destroy any disposition Of tho person elected by
n the combined votes of the opposition, TO place
j. himself in either attitude Retiring the end
] of four years TO private life, with wish or
!. prospect Of 'any OF his succeeding legiti-
e mate adopted, he would leave the govern
D. ment prosperous and pure IN Its administrator
d when it passed from the hands of the great
g Apostle Of Democracy TO the Father Of our
+ Constitution.
n To the duties which have enumerated, SO
E proper in my opinion TO be performed by Presi.
dent, elected by the opposition the presen ad
D. mnistrat ton, land which are, as believe, of con
,e stiutional obligation,) ! will mention anothcI
\, which believe also OF much Importance.
{
as OF conduct towards political opponents
,e After the censure which our friends have free
ID ly, and so Justly bestowed upon the Chief Magis
= traie, for having, IN considerable degree, dis
n franchiscd the whole body Of has political oppo
o. nents am certain that no oppostionst, true tc
~ principles he processes, would approve a sirnia
y course Of conduct IN the person whom his vote
= has contributed to eject. In Republic, O
es the tests Ola hea!;y state Gifts
OF IS The immunity with which every citizen may
as upon all occasions, express his political opinions
re and particularly his p,eIudices in the discharge
a of his duty ceetor.
r The question may perhaps be asked Of me
Ut what security have 10 my power TO offer, If fh
~ majority of tho American people should seec
w me for their Chief Magistrate, that would a
n dept the principles which have herein laid down
OF as those upon which administration should b.
n conducted. | could only answer, by referring t.
al my conduct, and the disposition manifested IN tn
IL discharge OF the duties of several important Of
W fires which have heretofore been conferred uoo,