Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-08-22

partSans To active and vigorous eXertiOn. Acting
in concert, and throughout the whole Union, obey
ing orders issued from the centre, their influence,
aided by Executive patronage, by the Post Office
Department, and all the vast other means of the
Executive, is almost irresistible.
10 correct this procedure and to restrain the sub
ordinates Of the Executive from all interference
with popular elections my colleague (Alr. CRlTEEN.
ZEN, now presently introduced Il bill in the Senate
lie had the weight Of Mr.. JeiIerson's opinion, who
issued circular to restrain Federal officers from
lntermeddling in popular elections He had before
aim the British example, according 10 which. place.
men and pensioners were not only forbidden to in
tertere, but were not, Of them, even allowed
to vote at popular elections. But his bill lett them
free to exercise the elective franchise, prohibiting
only the use Of their official influence And how
was this bill received in the Senate! Passed, By
those who profess to admire the character and to
pursue the principles Of Mr.. Jefferson! No such
tmnT. 1t was denounced rs Il sodi,iun till. And
the just odium Of that sediton bill which was in
tended to protect oiice-hOders against the People,
was successfully used to defeat lnenslre Of pro-
lection Of the People against the off o. hoiIers!-
Not only were they left unrestrained but they were
urged and stimulated by an official report to employ
their influence in behalf Of the Administrator at
the elections Of the People.
Hitherto, the Army and the Navy have rom7iued
unaffected by the power of dismi5sion, ard they
have not been called into the political service of the
Executive. But no attentive observer Of the prn-
ciples aud proceedings Of the men in power could
fail to see that the day was not distant when thew
too would be required to perform the partisan Of
fees Of the President. Accordingly, the process Of
converting them into Executive ins rulGeuts has
commenced i'll Court Martial assembled at Balt-
more. Two officers Of the Army of the United
States have been there put upon their solemn trial
on the charge OF Preiudicng the Democratic party
by making purchases for the supply Of tie Army
from members Of the Wing party! It is not pre
tended that the United States were preiudiced by
those purchases; on the contrary, it was, believe
established that they were cheaper than could have
been made from the supporters of the Administra-
ton. But the charge was, that to purchase at all
from the opponents, instead Of the friends Of the
Administration, was m injury to the Democratic
party, which required that the Offenders should be
put upon their trial before n Court Martial Ana
this trial was commenced at the instance OF q conf
mittee Of Democratic Convention, and conducted
and prosecuted by them! The scanduous spectacle
is presented to All enlightened world of the Chief
Magistrate OF great People executing the order,
Of sei-created power, organized within the bosom
Of the State and, upon such an accusation arraiun
ing before military tribunal, gallant men, VIII,
are charged with the defence Of the honor and the
interest Of their country, and with bearing its en-
iE the presence Of an enemy!
But the Army and Navy are too small, and il
composition are too patriotic to sub,erve all til,
purposes of this Administration. Hence the re-
cent proposition of the Secretary Of War, strongl,
recommended by the President under color of {
new organization of the militia, to create Il s,udiD,
force of 100000 men, an amount which no con
ceivable foreign eNigencv can ever Ike necessary
1t is not my purpose now to enter upon an eXau
nation Of that alarming and most dangerous plal
of the Executive Department Of the Federal Gov
eminent: 1t has justly excited burst of genera
indignation; and nowhere has the disapprobation Of
it been more emphatcally expressed than in tbi,
ancient and venerable Commonwealth
The monstrous project may be described in few
words. 1t proposes to create the force BY breaking
down Mason and DiXon's Line, eXounginr the boun
DIARIES of States, melting them W into q coufuen
mass. 20 be subsequently, cut up into ten rnilitar
parts, alienaes the militia from its natural associ
alton, witLdraws it from the authority and com
mand and sympathy of its constitutional officers
appointed by the States, puts it under the command
Of the President, authorizes him to cause it to b
trained, IN palpab!e violation Of the Constitution
and subjects it to oe called out from remote and dis
tant places, at his pleasure, and on occasions no
warranted by the Constitution
Indeteusibe as this project is, fellow-citizcns, d
not be deceived by suppOsing that it has been @
will be abandoned. 1t is 4 principle of those win
are now in power TINT an election or a rc-elactio,
Of the President implies the sanction Of the Peopl
to all the measures which he had proposed and al
the opinions which he had expressed on publ, at
| fairs prior 10 that event. We have seen this prin
ciple applied on various occasions Let Mr.. Val
Buren, be reelected in November next. and i wi,
be claimed that the People have thereby approved o
Ibis plan OF the Secretary of War, An entertai,
the opinion that it is important 10 train the miIi
and render It effective: and it will be insisted in Nh
CONTINGENCY mentioned, that the peoDIe have d.
monstratci tina, they approve Of that specifc plau
There is more reason to apDrehcnd such cousc
cuenco from the fact that committee of the Senate
to which this subject was REFERRED instead Of d.
uouncng the scheme as unconstitutional and dan