Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-04-18
TIE JACKSON GREED In 1s2a.

that period the nble and conclusive speech of Gene
raj ALEXANDER SMYTH, a leading friend of G General
Jackson from the State Of Virginia. and shall append
a note from Gen. Jackson's first message, in con.
currence with the views Of all his friends at that
period. Surely the momentous question has lost
none of its Importance by the alarming increase OF
Executive patronage since that period-and we put
the questionto the upright Jackson men of that dry
whether they will now stand by their principles or
that portion Of their party who have abandoned
them! OF course, every reader will decide accor
ding to his own feelings Of solf.rcspcct and his own
conceptions of the ultimate interests Of his country.
At all events, let all read the speech. So strongly
did the necessity Of limiting the Presidential tenure
to single term impress itself upon the public mind
In that day. that len. s. moved an amendment 10 he
Consultation inhbitng the Prosdcnt from rc-clec-
ton! That, requiring two thirds, aud being found
impracticablc the people have other resource but
to establish the precedent, and make it binding, BY
the election of General AUTOBIOGRAPHY for a
single term. TIE Speech:
THE Constitution should be invioIablc; but not un.
changeablc. The Constitution is the supreme law:
but to hold any law to be unGhangeable, except the
moral law is TO o5struct the improvement Of the So
cial state.
In the infancy Of this government it was, per-
hnps, necessary that Gen. Washington should serve
second period Of four years; because OF the UNI
equaod confidence reposed BY the people in him:
and the weightof his character in sunctiOning the
measures Of the new government. 1t never can 4
gain be important to require the services Of any
man, for period longer than four years.
III governments Of a despotic character, where
the will of the Chief is law the continuance Of the
life and reign Of an Alexander, julius, Peter.
IL -.
of great plans. Not 50 in our government Of laws.
What schemes can a President form, that he may
not execute in four years! Should he contemplate
making canal from the Bali2e to the mouth of the
Oregon, he has only TO recommend the measure, a p
prove Of the act, Congress will pass it, and leave
the completion of the work to time Il will be car
ried on as well under his successor as under him
self Mr.. Madison recommended the increase Of
the Navy; the plan was adopted; and its execution
iSgoinG on, although he IS in retirement. Mr.. Mon
ross plan for Orifying the sca-portS is progressing
as well as if he was still Chief Magistrate.
Why should any one be elected President a Sec
ond time! With u population of twelve millions,
rapidly increasing, shall we, at any time have but
one man fit to fill the Office Of Chief Magistratel
Can 1t ever happen that in % years, say genera
ton, we shall not have seven fit to fill the Of!
fee of President! What are the qualifications! -
Patriotism; attachment 20 equal rights; integrity;
good judgment; and a well informed mind. Such
We hold that all citizens possess equal rights
Then We should favor rotation in office, among men
of equal qualifications. By reducing the period for
which President may serve 20 four years, this Of
flee will reward the services Of twice, as many of
our distinguished citizens, as otherwise could pos
sess it. BY increasing the number Of those on whom
you may confer the highest reward Of virtue, you
will cxci:e emulation, and increase the number
OF those who will aspire to deserve that reward by
public services; and you may then satisfy the claims
Of the grand divisions of the United States. II is
eXating one man toe much above his peers to elect
him President second time.
If it shall be deemed eApedient that the President
should serve for longer time than four years, let
the period be extended by amendment to the Con-
Sttution; and let not the President be 4 candidate.
To me itappGars HeXpedlent to intrust the Office Of
chief magistrate to any man for long time* The
greater the power attached to any office, the greater
the danger Of continuing it long in the hands.
1t is in offices of great authority that rotation i
smrSt necessary, to prevent power from becoming
too firmly fixed in the same hands. will not con-
sent to extend the period for which the President
shall be elected, single day. But the long contin-
uancc Of President in Office is the least OF my o.
iactions to his eligibility second time.
Sir, the honor, the lce!tare the tranquility Of the
nation the fairness Of elections, require that the
President should not be n candidate.
The HONOR OF the nation requires that the Prcsi-
dent Should not be candidate.
The President should possess public esteem. 1t
isan essential qualification. This nation cannot be
contented under the authority Of de>pised Or dc.
tested man. What is so likely to bring President
into contempt, as for him to be 4 candidate willie he
is President, and thus to have every thing published
against him for which there shall be any cause; ana
much for which there shall be no cause! Let the
publications be considered which were made Gguins
some of our former Presidents as well as those
which lave been made against the present Prc5i
dent; and tink il Will be ackuDW pdrcl that tho Il