Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-08-15

portions Of them as relate TO that great PROPOSE.
tion--imporlunt then, but doubly important now.
People of Missouri VIM Henry Harrison is
pledged TO this great purpose by his voluntary er
ample as well ns lis official recommendations
Martin Van Buren, is the reverse IN both.
In the first message of President Jackson de.
cembcr 1920 we read the following
consider il one Of the most urgent Of my du
ties to bring to your attention the propriety of
amending that part of the Constitution which re-
lates TO the election eff President and Vice Presi
dent | would therefore, re-
commend such an amendment of the Constitution as
may remove all intermediate agency in the election
of President aud Vice President. In connection
with such an amendment it would seem advisable
To LIMIT THE SERVICE OF THE CHEF MAGISTRATE
TO SINGLE TERM of either four or six years.
In his second message. after his first election,
(Dec. 1880 he ogain thus nlluJes to the subject
Among the objects Of great national concern, |
cannot omit to press again upon your attention that
part Of the Constitution which requires the cleo
ton Of President and Vice President. :
II was a leading object with the trainers Of the
Constitution to keep SEPARATE as possible the
action of the Legislative and Executive branches
of the Government. To secure this object, nothing
is more essential than to preserve the former from
the temptations of private interest. and therefore
to direct the attention of the latter as not to per-
init such temptations to be offered. Experience
abundantly demonstrates that every precaution in
this respect is valuable safeguard Of liberty and
one which my reflections upon the tendencies Of
OR system incre the to think should be made still
stronger. 1t was for this reason that, in connec
tiol with amendment of the Constitution remOv-
ing all intermediate agency in the choice of the
President [ recommended some restrictions upon
the RE-ELGmLITY Of that officer. The reason siiH
crisis; and | renew the recommendation with an
increased confidence that it's adoption will strength
ca those checks by which the Constitution designed
to secure the independence Of each Department of
the Government, and promote the hcathful it
equitable ADMINISTRATION Of all the trusts which and
has created OC-The AGENT most likely to contra
yenc this design of the Constitution is TIE CHIEF
MAGISTRATE.-r1 In order particularly that
his appointment may, as far as possible, be placed
beyond the reach of any improper influences in
order that he may approach the solemn responsible
tiles of the highest office in the gift of free peo-
pie, uncommited to any other than the strict
line o. CoNsTITUTIoNAL DUTY; and that the securi-
ties Of this independence may be rendered strong
as the nature of power, and the weakness OF its
possessor will admit | cannot 100 earnestly invite
your attention to the propriety of prom 'ing such
an AMENDMENT of the Constitution as will render
him INELIGIBLE after OZONE TERM OF SER
VICE.-EI0
Again, in his third message (Dec. 1851 after
his first election he recurs to this subject in the fol
lowing language:
have heretofore recomnsnded am 'niments OF
the Federal Constitution, giving the election o.
President and Vice President to the people, AM
limiting the service of the former to a Gt7-SING LIE
TERM. So important do consider these change
in our fundamental law, that cannot, in accord
ance with my sense Of duty, omit to press them
upon the consideration of new Congress. Fo1
my views more at large, as well in relation to thes
points as to the disqualification Of members of Con
gress to receive an office from President in whose
election they have had an official agency, which
proposed as a substitute refer you to my forme
messages.