The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-15


opinions
we believe that the general tone of the inca
sureS OF the Administration, the manner in which
~ colers IaVors, its apparent preference for par
usais OF extreme opinions, and the readiness
with winch 1t bestows its confidence on the bold
est, ana most violent, are producing serious in
JurIes upon the political morals and general SEN
nments OF the country. We believe that TO this
cause IS to be fairly attributed the most arnenta
Die chahge, which has taken place in the tenn
per, the soDrIety, and the wisdom, with which
the nigh public counsels have been hitherto con-
Quoted we look with alarm TO the existing
state OF things, IN this respect; and we would
NEST earnestly, ana with all our hearts, as we'll
lor the honOr OF the country for its interests,
beseech all good men to unite with us in an at
tempt to bring back the deliberatve age of the
government, to restore to the collected bodies
OF the peoples Representatives that sei-respect,
decorum, and dignity, without which the bust
ness OF legislation can make no regular progress,
and IS always in danger either OF accomplishing
nothing, or OF reaching its ends by uniustiiable
and violent means.
We believe the conduct of the Administration
respecting the public revenue, to be highly repre-
henslble. 1t has expended twenty millions, pre-
viously accumulated, besides all the accruing in
come, since it came into power; and there seems
at this moment to be no doubt, but that it will
leave to its successors public debt of from five
to ten millions of dollars 1t has shrunk from
its proper responsibilities. With the immediate
prospect OF an empty treasury, it has yet not had
manllness to recommend to Congress any ade-
quate provision. 1t has constantly spoken OF the
excess OF receipts over expenditures, until this
excess has finally manifested itself in an abso-
Lutte necessity for loans, and in a power confer
red on the President, altogether new, and in our
judgment, hostile to the whole spirit of the con-
sttution, to meet the event of want of resources,
by Withholding, out OF certain classes OF appro-
priations made by Congress, such as he chooses
to think may be best spared. 1t lives by shifts
and contrivances, by shallow articles and delu-
sive names, by what it calls facilities" and
the "exchange of Treasury notes for species"
while in truth it has been fast contracting pub
lie debt, in the midst of all its boasting without
daring to Law the plain and naked truth of the
case before the people.
We protest against the conduct oil the House
of Representatives in the case OF the New Jer-
sey election. This is not local, but general
question. In the Union of the States, on whate-
yer link the blow of injustice or unsurpation
falls it is felt and ought to be felt, through the
whole chain. The cause of New Jersey is the
cause of every State land every State IS therefore
bound to vindicate it.
That the regular commission, or certificate OF
return, signed by the chief magistrate of the
state, according to the provisions OF law, entl-
ties those who produce it to be sworn IN as mem
bers of Congress, to vote IN the organization oil
the House, and to hold their seats until their
right be disturbed by regular petition and proof,
is a proposition of constitutional law, OF such
l.r;yeFzai extent and universal acknowledgment,
that i cannot be strengthened by argument or
by analogy There is nothing clearer and moth
ing better settled. No Legislative body could
ever be organized without the adoption OF this
principle Yet, in the case of the New Jersey
members, it was entirely disregarded. And 1t is
of awful pertent, that ON such question, ques-
ton in its nature strictly judicial, the domination
of party should lead men thus hagrantIy to vlo-
late first principles. 1t is the first step that costs
After this open disregard of elementary rules of
law and Justice, it should create no surprise that
pending the labors OF committee esPecial,<
appointed to ascertain who were duly elected, a
set of men calling themselves Representatives OF
the people of New Jersey, who had no certlh-
Gates from the chief magistrate of the state, er
according to the laws OF the state, were voted
into their seats, under silence imposed by the
previous question, and aiterward gave ther
votes for the passage oil the SUP, reasury law
We call most solemnly upon all who with US,
believe, that these proceedings alike invade the
rights of the states, and dishonor the cause OF
popular government ana free institutions, to
apply an efficient and decisive remedy by inc
unsparing application of the elective franchise
We protest against the plan OF the Admins
tration respecting the training and dlsciPiinlnS
of the militia. The President now admits 1t to
be unconstitutional; and it IS plainly SO, on the
face of it. for the training of the militia is blythe
constitution expressly reserved TO the states. Ii
it were not unconstitutional, it would yet DC I'M
necessary, burdensome, entailing enormous eX-
pcnsc and placing dangerous powers III the EN-
ecutive hands. 1t belongs to the prolltic family
of Executive projects, and 1t IS a consoi3tloI 10
find that at least one of its proJects mas been SO
scorched by public rebullc and reprobauon, that
hIs IN
favor.
1t was during the progress of the late admin
istration, and under the well known auspices OF
the present chief magistrate, that the declaration
was made in the Senate, that in regard to pub
lie office, the spoils of victory belonged to the
conquerors: thus boldly proclaiming, as the
creed Of the party, that political contests are
rightfully strugglers for office and emoluiiieHt :;
We protest against doctrines waich thus regard
offices as created for the sake of incumbcnts, ana
stimulate the basest passions to the pursuit Oh
high public trusts.
we protest against the repeated instances OF
disregarding judicial decisions, by officers OF
government, and others enjoying ITS counte-
nance; thus setting up executive Interpretation
over the solemn adjudications OF courts ana J''-
ries; and showing marked dlsrespect Tor the
usual and constitutional Interpretation ana eA-
ecution of the laws.
This government and mal-administration
would have been the more tolerable, If they had
not been committed, in most instances, IN dlrec'
contradiction to the warmest professions, ana the
most solemn assurances. Promises OF a bettel
currency, for example, have ended in the de,
struction of all national and uniform currency
assurances of the strictest economy have been
but preludes to the most wasteinl excess ever
the Florida war has been conducted under l"uo
pretences OF severe frugality; and the most open
unblushing AMI notorious interference WIN s'I'.
elections, has been systematically practised oS
the paid agents of an administration, WiuI i' -
the full freshness of its oath of Office, declares
that one Of its leading objects should be to a s
complish the task of reform which particularly
required the correction of those aliases wmcn
ncnt into conflict with the freedom OF elections
In the teeth of this solemn assurance, 1t ma
been proved that United States officers have beei
assessed in sums bearing proportion to the who o,
amount they receive from the treasury, Tor u
purpose of supporting their parlizans even Il
State and municipal elections. Whatever' j