Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-11-25
From the United States Gazette.
AND nIrrrIr


turmoil of gathering and computing re-
turns, and discussing the chances of
disputed States on and after the 4th of
next March being now settled, it may
be profitable to look towards some oil
the reforms which should follow the e.
lection of President under circum-
stances which have attended the recent
canvass. From the "war cry" of the
successful party, we may presume that
it is nearly settled, that under ordinary
circumstances, no incumbent of the
presidential chair is to be regarded as
a candidate for reelection. The one
term system has prevailed, and though |
an alteration in the Constitution may
be required to make that term of six,
rather than four years duration, yet it
is not probable that we shall in future,
allow any man to WELD executive au-
thority eight successive years. We
speak of that incidentally; our remarks
are to have a IO,0er, though not less
i'm pnrtant object. The power of the
GeneralGovernmont has been brought
TO bear directly and openly upon the
election; and if the theory of our gov
eminent is correct, viz: that it is a gov
eminent BY the people, then have the
representative, delegated powers Of the
people, been vigorously and forcefully
arrayed against the people. We speak
not paradoxically; the proof of our as
sertion is in the results ofthe election.
n very large majority of the people
have given their votes against the adj
ministration Of Mr.. Van Buren,, and it
is evident that if direct means for infu-
encing voters, had not been employed
by the administration, Thoughts office
holders, much larger majority would
have voted against the present Execu-
tive. The voice ofthe people, then, is
strong against Mr.. Van Buren,, and yet
| Mr.. Van Buren,, and the office holders
have been most active in procuring
votes against what is now shown to be
the will Of the people.
Whatevel elimination may be given
: TO national executive powers, the ex-
tent of our territory, the variety Of our
interests, the great number ofrelations
with foreign governments, render i
impossible to Withdraw from the Presi.
dent of the United States all authority
which a bad man may not grossly
abuse, and an artful politician may no
direct to purposes of personal aggran
, dizement, or at least the continuance O.
f himself in, or the elevation of politi.
cal friend to the first office in the Union
: But caution ought TO be used to pre-
f vent a violent diversion of power di
{ rectly or indirectly into such a channel
The people during the whole of tn
4 late campaign were continually admon
4 ished of the obstructive operation c
Q the government officers they locke
9 narrowly, and detected these recipient
r of public bounty in the very fact {
i abusing public trust; the people CHE
!. out against the wickedness; and, be
!. yond its direct influence, succeeded
d making the strong expression OF publ
g adherence Of the shocking policy
i Where their unholy influence VIZ
n most operative, "little was effected
J. because the poison had been diffuse
e long before the remedy was applies
:. Prevention now is fortunately with
If the power Of the coming administr'
q ton.
81 The future administration mu
openly disavow and constantly repre-
= the practices that disgraced the pre-
q ent administration, and finally destro.
\ ed it through IFS agents. The succe
l. that attended the corruption for son
ID time can never be pleaded for its +
n. newal even on grounds ofpolihcal e
he pediency, because having been on
70 discovered and reproved, they wou
If be Immediately obvious and readily +
- buked. Unfinching attachment 10 {
- GREAT interests of the nation. untiril
he devotion to the duties, and the dutl
81 alone, of Office, will now be necessa
e. even for party purposes. This on