The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1841-03-19
NUMBER a.

l conceive, strictly proper that should
take this occasion TO repeat the assurances
| have heretofore given. of my determine
ton TO arrest the progress of that tenden-
cy, if it really exists, and restore the go
vernment to lis pristine health and vigor,
as far as this can be effected by any legi-
innate exercise Of the power placed in my
hands.
| proceed 10 state, in IS summary
manner as can, my opinion Of the sour
ces of the evils which have been SO ex-
,ensively complained Of. and the correct
ives which may be applied. Some Of
The former are unquesIonably 10 be found
in the defects Of the constitution others,
in my judgment, are attributable to mis-
construction ofsome Of lis provisions. Of
the former is the eligibility of the same
individual 10 second term Of the Presi-
dency. The sagacious mind of Mr.. JEFF
ferson carly saw and lamentcd the error,
and attempts have been made, hitherto
withou, success, 10 apply the amendatory
power OF the states to lis correction. As,
however, one mode Of correction is in the
power of every president, and consequent
~, i'll mine, ii would be useless, and per-
haps invidous, TO enumerate the evils Of
which, in the opinion of many Of our fell
low citizens, this error of the sagcs who
framed the constitution may have been
the source, and the bitter fruits which we
arc still 10 gather from il, If it continues 10
disfgure our system. ]: may be observed,
however, as general remark, that repub-
lies can commit no greater error than to
adopt or continue any feature in their sys-
TENS Of government, which may be cal
cula,ed TO create or increase the love Of
power in the bosoms of those TO whom
necessity obliges them TO commit the ma
nagement of their affairs. And, surely,
nothing is more likely to produce such
state Of mind than the long continuance Of
an Office of high trust. Nothing can be
more destructive of all those noble feelings
which belong To the character Of devot-
ed republican patriot. When this cor
rupting passion once takes possession Of
the human mind, like the love of gold, it
becomes Unsuitable. 1t is the never dying
worm in his bosom, grows with his
growth, and strengthens with the declin-
inc years of his victim. Ii this is true, it
is the part Of wisdom for a republic 10 Ii
nit the service Of that officer, at least, to
whom she has entrusted the management
Of her foreign relations, the execution Of her
laws, and the command of her armies and
nayics, TO a period so short as 10 prevent
his forgetting that he is the accountable
agent not the principal, the servant, not
The master. Until an amendment Of the
constitution can he effected, public opinion
may secure the desired object. lgive my
aid TO it, by renewing the pledge hereto
fore given, that. under no circumstances
Will consent TO serve q second term.
But il there is danger 10 public liberty
from the acknowledged defects Of lie con.
siimton, in tho want Of limit TO the con-
tnuance Of tho Executive power in the
same hands, there IS, apprehend, not
much less from 4 mscOnsiruciiUn of tia,
instrument, MS il regarGs tie powers &C.
tuaiiy gwen. | caunot conceive that, by
fair construction, any or either Of its
provisions would bc fourd to constitute
the pre- ident part Of the legislative pow.
er II cannot be claimed from the power
to recommend, since. although erjoinet
upon him, it is privilege which he hold.
in common with every citizen. And, al
though there may lie something moro o
confidence in the propriely Of the mea
sures recommended in the enc case thar
in the other. in the obligations of ullima;,
decision there can be no difference. IL
The language OF the constitution, call tlis
Legislative powers" which it grants "nrs
vested in the congress Of the United
States" 1t would be solecism in Ian
guage to say that any portion of these j,
e not included in the whole.
1t may be said, indeed, that the consti
: tuition has given to the executive th
: power TO annul the acts of the Legislative
body, by refusing to them his assent. s,
n similar power has necessarily resulted
) from that instrument to the Judiciary, ans
yet the Judiciary forms no part of the le
gislature. There is, i, is true, this differ
: ence between these grants of power III,
j executive can put his negative upon iii,
!, acts Of the legislature for other cause thar
n that of want of conformity to the consti
c tuition. while the Judiciary can only de-
h clare void those which violate that instru
r ment. But the decision Of the Judiciary
i ,s final i'm siich n case whereas in everv