The Madisonian., 1840-02-22


dismissed any Of his subordinates, he replies
that he will not communicate the grounds Of
his action | have understood that, in more
cases than one, the person acting as Postmas-
ter General has refused this session TO inform
Members OF Congress Of the grounds on
which he has dismissed deputy postmasters.
We have Witnessed the application Of this
power to Treasurer Of the United States re-
Gently, without the pretence Of his failure TO
discharge his public duties. all OF which he
performed with scrupulous exactness, honor,
and probiiy.
And what, sir, is the consequence Of pow
er so claimed and so exercised The first
is, that, in country Of Constitution and Laws,
the basis and the genius Of which arc that
there is, or should be, the most perfect respon-
sibity on the part Of every, even the highest
functionary, here is vast power, daily exer-
csed with the mos, perfect impunity, and
without the possibility of arraigning a guilty
Chief Magistrate. For how can he be inn
peached or brought to trial if he will not dis
close, and you have NO adequate means OF as
certaining, the grounds on which he has acted!
The next consequence rs, that, as all the
officers Of Government, who hold their Offices
by the tenure TO which allude, hold them at
the Presidents mercy, and without the Possi-
bility of finding any redress If they are dis
missed without cause, they become his plant
creatures, and feel that they are bound i'm
plicitly to obey his will.
Now, sir, put this Government bank into
operation, and who are to be charged with the
administration Of its operations : The Secre-
tary Of the Treasury, the Treasurer Of the
United States, the Register and the Comp
troller Of the Treasury, and the receivers
general, sc. Every one Of them holding his
office at the pleasure and mercy Of the Presi-
dent. Every one Of them, perhaps, depending
for his bread upon the will Of the President.
Every one Of them taught, by sad experience,
to know that his safest course is TO mould his
opinions and shape hrs conduct SO as to please
the President. Every one Of them knowing
perfectly that, If dismissed, he is without the
possibility of any remedy or redress whatever.
In such dcplorable state Of things, this Go
vernment bank will be the mere bank Of the
President of the United States. lie will be
its President, Cashier and Teller. Yes, sir,
this complete subection Of all the subordinate
officers Of the Government to the viii Of
the President, will make him sole Director,
President, Cashier, and Teller Of this Co.
vernment bank. The so much dreaded
union of the Purse and the Sword will at
last be consummaed. And the usurpa
ton, by which the public deposites, in
1897, we're removed, by the advancement Of
the one and the removal of another Secretary
of the Treasury, will not only be finally le-
galized and sanctioned, but the enormity Of
the danger Of that precedent will be transcend
ed by deliberate act Of the Congress Of the
United States.
Mr. President, for ~ long years we have
been warning against the alarming growth OF
Executive powers but, although we have
been occasionally cheered, it has been con-
slantly advancing and never receding. You
may talk as you please about bank expansions.
There has been no pernicious expansion in
this country like that of Executive power;
and, unlike the operations of banks, this
power never has any periods OF contraction.
You may denounce yon please the usur-
pations of Congress. There has been no
usurpation but that Of the Executive, which
has been both of the powers of other co-or-
dinate departments of this Government and
upon the States. There scarcely remains
any power in this Government but that of the
President. He suggests, originates, controls,
checks every thing. The Unsuitable spirit of
the Stuarls, for power and prerogrative, was
brought upon our American throne on the 4th
Of March, 1929 II came under all the
usual false and hypocrnical pretences and
disguses Of love Of tho People, desire of re-
form, and diffidence of power. The Scotch
dynasty still continues. We have had Charles
the First, and now have Charles the Second.
But again thank God that our delrverance is
not distant; and that, on the 4h of March,
l84l, a great and glorious revolution, with
out blood and without convulsion, viii be
achieved