The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-09-04


measure cannot be safely accomplished, in the form
proposed under the federal Constitution, as II
stands,
Having thus given YOU the hest opinions that !
have been able to form of the important subjects to
which YOU have called my attention, you Will,
hope, allow me TO notice briefly one or two collal-
era considerations.
Mr.. POinsett's uncontroverted account OF The
origin and progress of his plan is before you. lie
shows that it grew out of the request made OF
him by the COMMITTEE on the Militia Of the House
Of Representatives at the close of the session be-
fore the last in contemplation of possible collision
betcen this country and Great Britain, and that 1t
was mutured and drawn forth under call made
upon him by the House at last session. Some sur
prise has been expressed, and doubts appear even
to be entertained of the correctness OF his dec
laralion, that the plan was not seen by me or sub
mitted TO my consideration, before 1t was con hlu-
nicated to Congress. Those who take this view OF
the subject entirely overlook the fact, that sucl Is
almost in,ariable the case on all similar OCCASIONS
md that in replying to calls made upon them BY cl-
thcr branch of the Legislature, the heads Ct de-
paliments act for Congress, ard not for the ires-
dent: except only on occasions where his acts are
brought in question. The inpractcabi.ily Of pur-
suing different course, if even it were otherwise
desirable, will be appreciated, when ii Is consld-
cred how very numerous these calls have recent!
been, amounting as they have done to two hundred
and twenty at II single session. independently oil
those made on the President himself, and OF letters
from committees, requiring great research ana the
preparation voluninous documents. lnlalr these
annady ersions are thus shown TO be, this has 10,
been even the worst aspect in which they have
been presented We have been con PEELED TO see,
not should think, with out shame aud lEorhca'loh
on the part of every ingenious mind, whatever ma!
be his political preferences, the names OF rcspec'a-
bic citizens subscribed TO statements, that had III
my annual message expressed my appreciation OF Il
plan, which not only never had been submitted to
ne, hut was rot maturcd until more IMAM lhree
months after the message was sent to congress; anu
IN attempt TO prove the miounded assumption by
the publication ola garbcd extract from that docu-
ment, with its true meaning ilIslied by the sup
preston of material part. Nor was The nvoWed
object of these extraordinary proceedings less re-
mnrknble than the acts themselves, being nothing
less than an attempt to fix upon me the design OF
establishing standing army Of two hundred thou
sand men, for political and personal purposes II
had been charged with the design Of establishing
among you ut the public expense, ncnogcrlc OF
two hundred thousand wild beasts, it would have
ment, have been one iotnore prcposterous.
am, fortunately, gentleman, rot over sensitive
to attacks of this character, and have, wthal, M
abiding confidence in the intelligence of the people
which renders them proof cgoius' such attempts to
deceive them. If understand my own feelings,
my chicfrcgret is Witnessing such degrading cAhl-
Rif9ps mis- qm fpHs ER a1 ST 1.-The optimism 4S
to respect our political institutions that we have
are likely 10 form of the character of our people
when they see that conspicuous men among us cal
promise themselves any advantages, from aiienp''
to dcudc their fellow citizens, by means OF sucl
monstrous ahsurdilics. This regret is, however,
confess materially diminished, by the conviction
that the people will in the sequel, as they have
heretofore done, convince those who attempt IL
this manner 10 operate upon their crednIl,y, OF lh'
folly of seeking 10 accomplish in this country, pc
-. Il -. L. I'm Il. LIZ. MN.