Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-03-31
THE INAUGURAL.

harely nave we read state paper with so
much pleasure as the inaugural addr ess; it is
all that the American people expected it to be,
and all that they wished it to be- Itbreathes
spirit ofpatrotism, and of firm, manly indie
Perdence, which does credit to thepe in
which we live. We shall refer particularly
TO some ofits doctrines. Speaking ofthe pow.
ergranted to the different departments ofthe
government, the address says;
''But the great danger to cur institutions
does not appear to me to be in usurpation by
the government of power not granted by the
people, by the accumulation in one of the de-
partments of that whchwas assigned to other.
Limited as are the powers which have been
granted, stu enough have been granted to con,
sttutue despotism, If concentrated i'm one OF
the departments. The danger is greatly
heightened, as it has been always observable
that men are less jealous of encroachments of
one department upon another, than npon their
own reserved rights"
THIS IS sound philosophy; let the people
treasure it up in their memories.
The one term principle, is adhered to: and
the pledge not to servem than one term, is
renewed.
"Untll an amendment of the constitution
can be effected public opinion may secure the
desired object. give my aid to it, by renew
ing the pledge heretofore given, that, under
no circumstances, will consent to serve a
second term"
The doctrine originating, we believe, with
Mr.. Van Buren,, that the President possesses
legislative power is denied. Mr.. Van Buren,
certainly deserves great credit for this dsicov-
cry, and is entitled to, and will receive the
thanks of those who ann at converting this
government into an elective monarchy.
81 cannot conceive that, by a fair construc-
ton, any or either of its provisions would be
found to constitute the President a part of the
Legislative power
The veto power is placed on what we suppose
to be its proper grounds:-that the President
has no right to veto an act OF congress, unless
he believes it 10 be unconstitutional. We
particularly commend the argumen. on this
head to the attentive perusal Of all thinking
men,
The following extract, on the subject Of cx-
above all praise:-
"And to me il appears stranoe.
indeed, that any one should doubt, that tie
entire control which the President possesses
over the officers who have the custody oftbe
public money, by the power of removal. with
or without cause, does, for all miscbievous
purposes at least, virtually subject the treas.
ury also to his disposal. The first Roman
Emperor, IN his attempt 10 seize the sacred
treasure, slenced the opposition of the officer
to whose charge it ad been committed. bv 2
significant allusion to his sword. By a Sc
lection oil political instruments for the care M
the public money, a reference TO their com
missions by President, would be quite n.
Ciiectual an argument as that Of Cesar to Tho
Roman Knights.
am not insensible of the great difficult,
that exists IN drawing proper plan for On,
saio-keeplng and disbursement of the public
revenues, and know the importance whicl
has been attached by men of great abiltie
and patriotism to the divorce, as II is caller
Of the Treasury from the banking institution.
Il is not the divorce which is complained
but the unhalowed union Of the Treasur
with the Executive Department, which ha
created such extensive alarm. To this dan
createdby the influence given TO the Exec
tive, through the instrumentalty of the fede
al officers, purpose to apply all the remediC
which may be at my command 1t was ce
tainly great error in the trainers of the CO..
stltution, not TO have made the officer at Il
head of the Treasury Department entire
Independent ofthe Executive He should
least have been removable only upon the d
oft ,ff br 4 ..I,t,,r
have determined never to remove Seer
tary of the Treasury, without communicate
all the circumstances attending such remoI
TO both Houses Of Congress-"
In connection with this subject he says, til
the interference of office holders with the fire
dom ofthe elective franchise, can be effect
alyprevented, by the renewing of Mr. jeff
sons prohibition, which says
"Never with my consent shall any officer
the people, compensated for his services
of their pockets, become the plant instrume
of Executive will"
The history of the administrations of G,
Jackson, and Mr. Van Buren,are proofs sire
as holy writ, ofthe truth of the following
tract
There is no part of the means placed in
hands of the Executive which might be III
with greater effect, for unhallowed purpos
than the control of the public press.
maxim which our ancestors derived from
mother country, that "the freedom of the pr
Is the great bulwark of civil and religious
erty," Is one ofthe most precious legac
which they have left us. " have learn
too, from our own, as well as the experiel
OF other countries, that golden shackles,
whomsoever or by whatever pretence impos
are as fatal to 1t as iron bonds OF despoti!
The presses III the necessary employment
the Government should never be used
clear the guilty, or to yarnish crime"
decent and manly examination of the act
the Government should be not only tolera
but encouraged.
The improperly Of the Presidents inter
ing with the legislation Of Congress, and I
ticularly his advising schemes of revenue
treated offwith much truth and ability; W
he says on this subject, should be daily REP
teddy every father to his children, ard
them remembered as political lesson for
ter life. The idea ofan exclusively meta
currency, is condemned in strong langua
The danger Of the interference Of one s,
with the domestic relations Of another, is
upon its proper footing; and we are shown
tendency to dissolve the Union by destroy