Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-11-07

The truth of these declarations, that cannot he
questioned by any candid and attentive obser-
yer of the course of the present executive,
might be fully illustrated and enforced by re-
curing to the history of the various usurpa-
tons of the late administration.
Whatever may be the cause of this remark
able revolution in our Government, the fact
cannot be denied, that the power of the execu-
tive "haS increased, is increasing, and every
patriot will admit, ought to be diminished"
Among the objections so powerfully urged |
by the illustrious Henry, against the adoption |
OF the Federal Constitution, its tendency to |
monarchy seems to have been most seriously |
entertained, and pressed with greatest ardour. |
'lthas an awful squirting, (said he, ifsguints |
towards Monarchy. Your president NAV cas-
lily become King. Your strong holds will
be In the hands of your enemies. 1t is on a
| superstition that your American Governors
shall be honest, that all the good qualities of
this Government are founded; but its defec-
tive and lmperfectconstruction, puts it in their
power to perpetrate the worst of mischiefs,
should they be bad men. If your American
Chief be man of ambition and abilities, how
easy is 1t for him to render hmselfabsolute.
These declarations, that seem to have becnut-
tered In the spirit of prophecy, have, in these
latter days, been well nigh fulfilled. 1t is
true that our President still wears the garb of
Republican Chief Magistrate. He claims,
indeed, to be Democrat; the friend of the
people, especially of the ''labouring people:''
And so gently does he impose his Chains.
that the people seem scarce conscious of their
letters. Unfortunately for the cause of vir-
tue and freedom, the advocates of power have
resorted, and we fear too successfully, to those
designing arts by which the people have in
every age been deluded and induced to re-
gard their oppressors as their best friends.
The history otthe world will attest, that those
who have been most studious to extend their
power, have been invariably the most extrav-
agant in their adulation of the people. The
roman Elnperors attained and perpetuated
their power, by liberal donations amonr their
| followers, and by arraying the Plebians a.
galnst the Patrlcians, and the People against
the Senate. Napoleon Bonaparte has been
Justly designated, by an elegant writer, as the
''Demagogue of Military Frances" and Rob
| espierre, the most bloodthirsty of tvrants. had
ever on his lips the interests and happiness of
the people-''the dear people," 1t is the pc
cnliar glory OF our country, that the people
here are oneand homogeneous. We have no
nobility and commoners as in England. no
patlcians and plebians as in ancient Rome.
In this happy land, frecmen ofevery condition
enjoy equal civil and political rights; and
wealth and distinction lie open to all who
have virtue and intelligence to point them to
the way, and industry to urge them to the
goal. There can be no stronger evidence of
the progress of corruption, and of the rapid
advances of the Government towards despo-
tsm, than the strenuous efforts that are made
to destroy this happy feeling of identity and
equality among the people. ''Dvide and
| conquer" is a motto that has never failed to
lead to victory. And if the unscrupulous sup
porters of power, shall succeed in their at
tempt to divide society into classes, and to ar
ray the poor against the rich, the unholy and
unnatural alliance between despotism and a
fallen democracy will be consummatcd, and
our glorious Republic, no longer sustained by
the virtue and intelligence of a united people,
must share the melancholy fate that has soon
ner or later, overtaken every Free Govern
| Inent that has preceded it.
The natural increase of the patronage Of
the President with the extent of our territory
and population may account, in part, for the
augmentation of Executive influence.-But
| the true cause OF this omnous revolution lies
deeper, In the personal character of the men
who have administered the Government, and
the means to which they have resorted to per-
petuate their power. The very fountains of
the public virtue have been corrupted. The
| odlous and llcentious doctrine has been I'M
blusillngly proclaimed, that offices are no lon
ger given to the most worthy but that "to the
oSioi'S 'ieSpoHS. IN OF are they con-
tent with thus appealing to the sordid hopes
OF the mercenary legion that is fighting for the
spolls OF victory at the expense of their coun-
Try interest. The INSCRIPTIONS supporters
OF this corrupt Administration, disreGardinu
the Wholesome doctrine that the s.patronaoe
OF the Government should not be brought in
to conflict with the freedom of elections -
have lately avowcd, in an elaborate report.
that It's not only the right but the duty OF the
offlcerS OF the Government to sustain the Ex-
ecutlve. Thus have they enlisted the active
services of the Federal office-holders, band
more numerous than a standing army, and
thus employed, equally dangerous to liberty.
Interested, organized, numerous and disci-
pinned, what but the united opposition of a
| virtuous people can resist their powerI-
Taught by experience that the Presidency is
within their gift, how long will it be, ere
| claiming 1t as their own, like the Pratorian
Guards at Rome, they shamelessly offer the
Empire at auctionl
The overshadowing influence of the Exec
utlve extends not only to the two Houses of
Congress, but it has been exercised with
such lnsinuatIng art, as to become almost ir-
reslstible In the State Legislatures. and the
primary assemblies of the people. Such is
the diversity of human opinion, that there
can be no subject of general interest apitated.
on which there will not necessarily be divi-
sion OF parties. If opinions in CONGRESS- on 4
lavorlte measure of the Executive are nearly
balanced, and few factious Representative
or refractory Senators, are thelonlv obstacles
In his way, ready means are usually found to|
silence their objections or remove them from
their seats. Whilst the thunders of the Gov