The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-07-28
TUESDAY MORNING, JULY %.
ONE TERM.
b AI.TIMO RE

General Harrison i pledged, should he be
elected, to retire at the end of the first term
The experience of former administrations had
been such as to impress upon the public mind
belief that the temptation to abuse the patron
age of the government, for personal or party
purposes during the first term, so great as to
require constitutional amendment, forbidding
reelection. So strong was this sentiment, that
yielding to it, Gen. jackson, in his first and sec
Ond messages to Congress, urged it upon their
consideration.
Gen jackson had the reputation of great can
dor, integrity and disinterested patriotism. No
man who ever lived, was more artful, prohigate
or selfish. His whole life was an experiment
upon the credulity of the public. He was
most eonsummate actor, and knew, as well as
any man ever saw, how to assume the virtues
which he had not Thus, under the Fretence of
advancing the public interest, he was studiously
advancing the qualification of his own private
ends, or his own personal ambition. His recon-
mendations to Congress, on the subject Of one
term, and of the appointment of members of
Congress, is one ofthe many illustrations of the
truth Of what l now say. The history of his
public life is continuous record of principles
Promulgated,a as fundamental rules of action, but
never regarded as applicable to himself Thus
he recommends an amendment of the constitu-
ton, orbidding the President to be candidate for
Te-election-yet, he becomes candidate and was
reelected in the face of that recommendation.
He recommended that the choice should be given
directly to the people, and the purpose professed
was to prevent Executive influence on the free
dom Of elections; yet lie not only made corrupt
use of the patronage to defeat the popular voice,
byrc-electing himself, but he appointed and cleo
ted his successor, by the same Then again,
he recommended that the Constitution should be
80 amended that the President could not appoint
members Of Congress to office; yet he not only
appointed more members of Congress than any
Of his predecessors, but he now comes forward
and openly advocates the reelection of Mr. Van
Buren,, who has, if possible, made mere bare
faced and openly corrupt use of the appointing
power than he did. Cen jackson never wished
these amendments to be made. His recommends
tons intended to deceive and cheat the
people; and no man, not even Oliver Cromwell,
was more coosummate hypocrite than he
Witness the following extracts from his mes
sages:
ETtToct from President Jacksen's Message ID
Congress, in 1929.
81 would therefore recommend such an amend
meat of the Constitution as may remove all in
tergediate agency IN the election of a Presiden
and Vice President The mode may be so regu
lated as to preserve to each State its present re
lative weight in the election; and a failure i
the first attempt may be provided for by confinin
the second 20 choice between the two highes
candidates. Ia conaerioas scitb stseh ana nteno
nlent, q scoUld seem advisable to Eialittae ser
ctces IT TIE Grief JnqgiStrate to single term
81 either. four or sir years"
Ertract fran President .Jaeksosa,s Message L
Congress, in 1890.
ut was leading object with the trainers O
the Constitution TO keep as separate as possi5l,
the action Of the Legislative and Executive
branches Of the Government. To secure thi.
object, nothing is more essential than to preserve
the former from the temptations of private inte-
rest and, therefore, so to direct the patrona ge
of the latter as not to permit such temptations
to be offered. Experience abundantly demen-
strates that every precaution in this respect is
valuable safeguard of liberty, and one which my
reflections upon the tendencies of our system in
cline me to think should be still made stronger
1t was for this reason that IN connection with an
amendment of the Constitutions removing all
intermediate agency in the choice of the Preai-
dent, recommend some restrictions upon the
OF offices generally The reason still exists;
and renew the recommendation, with an in
creased confidence that its adoption will strength
en- thsse checks by which the Constitution de-
signed to secure the Independence of each de-
Paftment Of the Government. and promote The
heaithfAi and equitable administration of ali the
trusts which il has created
iHo ogent nc most likely to coast7ureae this
design 81 the constitutions is Tie CIt;rr M .c,e-
TRATE In order particularly, that his aupoibt-
ment may, as far as possible, be placed beyond
ihe reach OF any improper influences: in order
taas nc may approach the solemn responsibilities
OF the highest Office in the gift Of free peonIe
nncommitted to any other course than the sfrict
Line OF constitutional duty, and that the secur,-
ties Tor this independence may be rendered as
strong as the nature of power, and the weakness
q Its possessor, will admit, Tcannot too earacst-
~ tncate your attention to the 9rdpriety ofpro-
n.olsg such an amendment Qftte constitution,
ns lo'u refte' him ineligible after one term of