Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1841-03-18
NO. a.

property of all, the American citizen de-
rves from no charter granted by his fellow
nau. He claims them because he is him
self Man, fashioned by the same Al
mighty hand as the rest of his species, End
entitled 10 full share of the blessing with
which he has endowed them.
Notwithstanding the limited sovereignty
possessed BY the People of the United
States, and the restricted grantof power to
the Government which they have adopted.
enough has been given 10 accomplish all
The objects for which it was created.---lt
has been found powerful in war, aud, hilh-
eric, justice has been administered. an in
mate union effected, domestic tranquility
preserved, and personal liberty secured to
ihe citizen. AS was to be expected, how
ever. from the defect of language, and the
necessarily sentenIious manner in which
The Constitution is written, disputes have
arisen as to the amount of power which 1t
has actually granted, or was Intended to
grant. This is more particularly the case
in relation to that part of the instrument
which treats of the Legislative branch.
And not only az regards the exercise Of
powers claimed under general clause.
giving that body The authority to pass all
laws necessary 10 carry into effect The spe-
c,ic powers, but 10 relation to the latter
also. II is, however, consolatory to reflect,
that most of the instances Of alleged de-
parture from the letter Or spirit of the Con-
stitution, have ultimately received the
sanction of majority of the people. And
the fact, that many of our statesmen. most
distinguished for talent aud patriotism,
have been, al one time or other of their
political career, on both sides of each Of
the most warmly disputed questions.
which forces upon us the inierences that
the errors, If errors there. were, are attri-
hutable 10 The intrinsic difficulty, in many
instances, of ascertaining the intentions Of
the trainers Of the Constitution, rather
than the influence of any sinister or uppa-
rriolic motive.
But the great danger to our institutions
does not appear TO me 10 be in usurpa-
lion, by the Government, Of power not
granted by The People, but by. the accum-
ulaion, 10 one Of The departments, of that
which was assigned to others. Limited as.
are the powers which have been granted,
a.iu -e..easl.- he--e-, 3 ran.etrt yUnstie
ttule despoiism, If concentrated ia Que Of
The departments. This danger is greatly
heightened, as it has been always observa-
BILE that men are less jealous Of encroach-
ment of one department upon apother,
h nm upon their own reserved rights.
When the Constitution Of The United
yba IS IL
Convention which formed it, many of the
slernest republicans of the day were alarm
ed at the extent of the power which had
been granted to the Federal Government,
and more particularly of lhatporlion which
has been assigned to the Executive branch.
There were in it features which appeared
not to be in harmony with their ideas of
a simple representative Democracy; or
Republic. And knowing the tendency of
power TO increase itself particularly when
executed by single individual, predc-
lions were made that, at no very remote
period, the Government would terminate
in virtual monarchy. 1t would not be-
come me TO say that the fears of these pa
triots have been already realized. But, as
| sincerely believe that The tendency of
measures, and Of mems opinions, for
some years past, has 5een in that direc-
lion, it is, conceive, strictly proper that
should take this occasion to repeat the as
surances have heretofore given of nv de-
termination to arrest The progress of that
tendency, if it really exists, and restore the
Governmentto to its pristine health and vigor,
as far as this can be effected by any legi,-
male exercise Of the power placed in my
hands.
lproceed 10 state ID as summary man.
ner as | can. my opinion of,he sources of
the evils which have heeu so extensively
complained OF, and the correcives which
may be applied. Some Of the former nro
unquestionably TO be found in the defects
of the Constitution; others, in my juds-
ment, are attributable to misconstruction
Of some of IFS provisions. OF the former
i, The eligibility of The same individual to
second term Of The Presidency. The sa.
gacious mind Of MIR. Jefferson early saw
and lanented this error, and attempts have
been made, hitherto without success, to
apply the amendatory power ofthe Staies
to its correction.
Az, however. one mode of correction is
in the power of every President, and con-
sequently in mine, it would be useless, and
perhaps invidious, 10 enumerate The evils
of which, in the opinion of many of our
fellow citizens, this error Of The sages who
framed the Constitution may have been
the source, and the bitter fruits which we
are still 10 gather from it, ifit continues to
disfgure our system. 1t may be observed,
however, as general remark, that Re-
publics commit 10 greater error than to
adopt or continue any feature in their sys-
TENS Of government which may be calcu-
lated 10 create or increase the love of pow
or, in the l,osoms of those 10 whom neces-
sity obIiges them to commit the manage
ment OF their affairs. And, surely, nothing
is more likely to produce such state Of
mind than the long continuance Of an Of
fee Of high trust. Nothing can be more
corrupting, nothing more destructive of all
those noble feelings which belong TO the
character of a devoted republican patriot.
When this corrupting passion once takes
possession OF the human mind, liko tho
love of gold. it becomes unsuitable. 1t is
the never diving worm in his bosom, grows