The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-10-09

number of soldiers, and the amount OF money, and
to the particular object, and that only, voted by
Congress, Under our Constitution there never can
be perfect 'unlon of the purse and sword -
That union can exist only in countries where, by
the constitution and usage, the Executive can, OF
It's own voIltlon alone, without the agency or inter-
ference of any other branch of government, at all
times declare war, raise troops and furnish supplies
from the treasury, by the mere force of lis own
cdics. In this country, the President can do mel
ther. lie can neither declare war, raise troops,
nor get possession of dollar of the public moneys
for their supply, without AN act of Congress first
passed, comforting upon him that power, limiting
the number and the amount, and defining the precise
object of the expedition
The idea, therefore, of such an "union of the
purse and sword,' under our frame of government,
as to endanger the liberties of the people, if the
constitution and laws are at all needed by the En-
ccutive, is morally impossible. 1t is only upon
the supposition of an Executive acting in total dis
regard Of the constitution, that any such danger can
begin to be apprehended, Such and so many are
the checks and guards inelposcd by the conslllu-
ton, as barriers against any possible attempt at en-
croachmcni ofEXeculive pow er upon popular rights,
ms to render any such attempt, if made, perfectly
nUgatory
Here, in Vermont, we have always had an hide
ntUuthl lIcHSu'I, htpt ny 'Hc oi'Oe' "'S'S'"S"
by the constitution for that purpose. Our Govern
or too as has been already remarked, at all times
"ho'ds the sword" and can at all times command
the whole forces of the State for certain purposes,
who are bound to obey. 1t has already been shown,
that the President has no greater powers, except
when conferred upon him by special act OF Con-
grcss. And have been wholly unable to perceive,
wherein there is any more danger to be apprehend-
ed from National, Than rom STATE independent
| Treasury system,
The power OF removal from once, u ohJec'to'
MS being enjoyed by the President ana ho' ny 'he
| Governor, cannot amer me case Inc uoI'IHoi
OF this state Is not an officer authorized ny law 10
draw drafts on the treasury; whose drafts mere
fore never would be answered ny the Keeper o.
the moneys OF the state, more Than the drafts oil
an, unauthorized individual; ana Tor Inc obvious
reason, that such drafts would constitute no legal
vouchers Tor nm IN lhe seteilcht o' n's accounts
II Is the same WIN the PRESIDENT ne 700, can
never reach the public moneys, bni through me III
PREVENTION OF those officers, authorized D! III" 10
draw drafts on the treasury those Officers, may
he said, the President could remove from oilIce Tor
Noncompliance with his wishes, ana nominate
Others in their stead who would comply Hui 1t
should be horne in mind, that that Is winch
could be exercised equally well, whether The pub
lie moneys are kept by men appointed by inc lresl-
dent, or chosen 10y the people heiher kept IN
one place, or IN another pacc-whelNer kept ny
''sub-treasnrers, or in United states Bank No
keeper OF the public moneys would dlShonor Il dra'
drawn by the Secretary OF the Treasury, counter
signed and recorded according to law Neither
would a United States Bank, By either, me dran
would be cashcd to the holder ON sight, whether
drawn for legal, or an Illegal purpose Mess
indeed, II is intended ly the opponents OF the pres
ent system, to establish an United states BANK,
which is to have the keeping OF the whole revenues
of the country, and by It's chnrler Is to hr clothed
with power to Judge over the heads Of the l'rcsl-
dent, the Secretary, and every other officer OF the
government, upon the question of when, to whom
in what amounts, and for what objects the public
moneys shall leave the bank. Whether such II
state of things would present the spectacle OF a
government of the People, or government oil
Panks,' no unprcudiced mind can be long IN de-
'cr,h'"lh@' H..
hg'h' u ms p''n s''u '"'' '''' .e"S", o'uv'N
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