Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-01-31

posed 70 ths psipeiplss. spoa vhish tho
! psessnt sdministrstion u enddoeted. zee
uilt sec thst have emitted one. wkish
70 deemed by Wsay Of - mach impsrt.
snce 90 any other. ] sliuds 20 The ap-
pointmen Of members Of Congress to Of.
fice by the President. The Constitution
contains no prohibition OF such appoint
meats. no doubt because lis authors could
not believe in its neeessity. ffon the po-
rity OF character which was manifested by
those Who possessed the confidence Of the
people ., tia, period. II u. however. an
oPssson very generally entertained by the
opposition party. that the counhy would
hive escaped much Of tho evil under
which il has suffered for rome years past.
IL the Constitution had contained a proyi-
sion OF that kind. Having had no oppsr.
,onity ofpersonal observation Oh the con.
duct OF the standardization for the last ten
years. an uRab!o 10 decide upon the
truth or error Of this opinion. And I
should be very willing that the known
subserviency Of the Legislature 10 the
Executive, in several memorable instsn.
ces. should be accounted for in . way
sorss~hst less I'M furious TO the character
OF our country and Republican;sm itself.
than by the admission that the Fathers Of
the land. the trusted servants Of a virtu-
Gus people. could be seduced from the
path oil duty and honor, b. the pal,ry trap.
pings and emolumen.s OF dependent off
ces. But II the evil re ally exists, and If
there be good reason 10 believe that its
touTce is TO De found ia the corrup,lh,liiyo Of
the members ofthe Lc gislature, AN eHeciusl
remedy cannot be too soon applied. And
II happens in hi. case. that there 10 a
choice Of remedies. One OF those, honev-
er. Is in my opinion free from the obiec-
tons which might be offered to the other.
The one to which object 10. that which
tho late President has been so loudly call
ed upon to adopt. IN consequence Of
promise made al the commencement of
his administration. viz: that the Execu-
tive under no circumstances should APP
point To Office q member OF either branch
OF the National Legislature. There are.
IN my mind. several weighiy reasons
against the adoption Of this principle.
will deiain you with the mention OF but
two OF them. because. I believe that you
will agree with me. that the alternative I
shall present. while il would be equally
efectuai, contains no feature TO which q
reasonable objection could be made.
As the Constitution contains no proyi.
sion 10 prevent the appointment Of me m
bers OF Congress to office by the Execu-
tive. could the Executive with due re-
gard to deiicacy and justice without u.urp.
ing power from the people. declare dis-
qualification which they had not thought
necessary' And where is the America
citizen who reg rds the honor OF his coun-
try. the character OF its people, or who be-
lieves in the superiority OF a republican
form OF Government. who would be will.
ing TO procliim to the world, that the
youthful nation which has attracted so
much OF its attention which u has so much
admired for its gigantic strength, its un-
daunted courage. It's high assignments in
literature and the arts and the external
beauty OF its Institutions, was within q
mass OF meanness and corrupiion' That
even the chosen servants OF the people
were ever ready for Paltry consideration,
TO abandon their allegiance TO their law
fol sovereigos. and TO become the ser
wants Of q servant The alternative to
this degrading course. is TO oe found 10
| dePriving The Executive or all motive for
acquiring IN improper influence over the
Legislature. To eject this. nothing in
my opinion ia necessary but TO re esisb.
lish tbs principles upon which Tie admin.
isiraiion was once conducted. with q sim
gle addition Of limiting the service OF the
President 10 one term. A condensed e.
Enumeration OF what conceive these prin-
eiPles TO have been. 10 given above. And
] think no one can doubt. that, IL faithful.
Iy carried out. they would be effeeiual in
securing the Independence OF the Legs
laiure. and conhniog the connection be.
tween IL and the Executive, to that alone
which IS warranted by a fair construction
OF the Constitution. | can conceive Of
but two motives which could induce q
Pfe'ident Of the United States TO enhes.
vo: TO procure controlling influence
overthe Legislative body VITO PERFECT
uaie bis power. by passing laws 10 in-
crease his patronage-or crafty his vanity,
by obtaining their sanction to his scheme,
and projects for the government Of the
country: and thus as,imilailn9 his situs-
lion TO that Of the limited monarchs OF
Europe. The principles above suggested
would -Gec,ualiy destroy any disposition
Of the person elected by the combined
votes Of the opposition 10 place himself in
either attitude. Retiring at the en- Of 1
years to private life. with no wish or pros.
poets OF any con Of his succeeding" le-
ultimate or adopted. lie would leave the
Government as prosperous and pure IN iis
administration. - when IL passed from
the hands Of the great "A posile Of Demo
crazy" TO the Father e our Constitution.
| To the duties which have enumera.
ted. so proper IN my opinion to be per.
formed by President. elected by the op.
position to the present adninisuaiion.
! (snd which are, as believe, Of consiitu.
iionsl ob!igation.) ! will mention another
~hieh believe also TO be Of much import.
anee; ] mean the Observance OF the most
eoncilIa,ory course OF conduct towards
our political opponents. After the cen