The pilot. [volume] (Baltimore [Md.]) 1840-1840, 1840-04-09
RICHARD ]. MATCHETT. PRINTER.
ADDRESS OF THF WINGS OF BAL.
TIMORE

adopted By the meeting at Washington Hall, Dec.
BON. Submitted By j. r. Kennedy.
The Wings of Baltimore, having met together
10 express their concurrence in the recent nomi-
nation of candidates for the Presidency and Vice
Presidency by the Harrisburg Convention, deem
this fit occasion to make known, by public
declaration, the principles upon which, in COM
mon with their Wing brethren throughout the
Union, they have united in opposition to those
who now administer the Government.
The Wing party found its origin in strong
Tepugnance to certain constitutional doctrines
arly assumed in the administration of the Taste
Presidency, and in decided aversion to its lead
ing measures. Time has only served to confirm
this repugnance, and TO demonstrate the reality
Of the mischief which the policy of the Govern
ment threatened.
1t is in no spirit of unkindness TO those who
honestly differ from us in opinion, nor of rehec-
lion upon their want of foresight, that we emu
merate some of the prominent grounds of our
dissent from the principles and measures of the
last and present Administration, or complain of
the disasters they have brought upon the coun-
try. Our purpose is to justify our opposition, by
candid appeal to the people, setting forth the
motives by which are guided, and the puI-
poses at which we aim.
Taughtto regard the Constitution with the We
neration due to a work of the highest WISDOM
we feel soliciouS TO hand it down to those who
shall succeed Us, as free from blemish as when we
receivedit from our fathers-the same beneficent
character of political freedom, unweakened in
any single attribute with which it was endowed
for the preservation and defence of our republican
institutions. 1t is, therefore, that we demonstrate
against what we believe the dangerous innova-
lions upon the spirit of that instrument, conceiv
ed and practSed by those who have been latterly
called to its administration. In this sentiment
We object 10 the alarming extension of the
veto power, by which not only the ordinary ma
jorties of the legislature have been so frequent
ly overruled, but by which, also, majoritieS of
two-thirds of each House of Congress have
been defeated of their rightful effect.
We object 10 the augmentation of Executive
influence, which has, by successive endeavors,
drawn within its grasp formidable amount of
power:S
First, by the active and persevering partici-
patton of the Executive in the elections;
Second, by the practical as well as theoretical
assumption by the President of the Irresponsible
ity of himself and his cabinet to the National
Legislature, and even, in some cases. by his vir-
tual denial of the right of Congress to examine
the public records;
Third, by his pretence of right to protect all
Executive officers of the Government from the
scrutiny of Congress, on the ground of their ac-
countability to him or his agents; and,
Fourth, by his assumption of a right to hold
the public treasure exclusively in his own Gus
tody or the custody of those he may appoint
the proposition being in his own language
whenever or howsoever the public money be
obtained, its custody always has been and al1oayS
must be, unless the Constitution be changed, en-
trusted to the Executive departments" and s'that
Congress cannot, therefore, take out of the hands
of the Executive department the custody of the
public property or money without an assumption
ofExecutive power, and a subversion of the first
principles of the Constitution"
We object to the doctrine lately promulgated
that Congress may not guard the free exercise of
al two re from Eyecuftve nd IN
fuence, by prohibiting the officers of the Govern
ment from interfering with the popular elections
beyond the due and orderly exercise of their own
right of suffrage. Upon this subject we adopt
the sentiment Of Mr.. Jefferson, as indicating the
principle which should guide the National Lee
gslature, and inc the language of his ircular we
say Freedom of election being essential to the
mutual independence of Government and of the
different branches of the same government so
vitality cherished by most of our constitutions it
is deemed improper for officers depending on the
Executive of the Union to attempt TO control or
influence the free exercise of the elective right.
II is expected that officer will attempt to in
fuence the votes of other men, nor take any part
in the business of electioneering-tAat being
deemed inconsistent qcih the spirit of The constit-
ton and his duties" In contravention of this
principle, not only have the friends of the pre-
dominant party recently denied the right 10 legis-
late on the subject but have boldly maintained
the privilege and the obligation of Office holders
to become active agents in the control of the e.
lections-an obligation of which they have not
been slow TO acquit themselves.
In these doctrines we see wide departure from
the purity, simplicity and directness of purpose,
which eminently distinguished the former ad-
ministration of this government We see in them
fearful accumulation ofperogative in the hands
of the President, calculated permanently to dis
turb the Just balance between the Executive and
the Legislature, and which, while it magnifes
the authority of the one to an alarming extent,
in the same degree, depresses the healthful en-