The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-20


rits; it viii revive the spirits of the country it
will save the shaking, trembling credit of the ma
ton.
ANALYSIS OF THE INAUGURAL.
We proceed to continuation of our remarks
on General Harrison's Inaugural.
Defects and misconstructions Of The Con-
stitution
OF the defects the President notices only one,
there-ehgibiLity of the Chief Magistrate, which
we have before considered. The leading mis-
construction of the Constitution, to which he
calls our attention, is stated as follows: 81 can
not conceive, that, by fair construction, any or
either of its provisions would be found to consti-
tute the President part of the legislative
power"
As matter of fact, the doctrine had got to be
practically established, under the Jackson Fan
Buren, dynasty, that the prerogative of ''recom-
mending measures" to Congress, allowed and
made incumbent on the President, by the Con-
sttution, in connexion with "the information
he may have to give, is power of originating,
supervising, assisting, and controlling the legis
lation of that body. 1t will be found, that the
most important and momentous measures of this
defunct dynasty, were Matched, brooded, and
carried by the President and his confidential ad-
visers and that, when Congress and the nation
have proved refractory, they have been pursued,
whipped, and worried into compliance, as for
example, the sub Treasury act, and others that
might be named
1t will be seen at once, that these are striking
and wide demonstrations of Constitutional
grant, not to say, naked usurpations of power.
J The duty of recommending is connected with
that Of information, and supposed to be founded
upon it, as for example: The President has con-
cluded treaty, and recommends the Senate to
ratify it; or is possessed of information requi-
ring the action of Congress, which he conveys
bymessage, and being conversant with the bust
ness, recommends what should be done, leaving
the rest to their independent action. This is,
manifestly, the whole scope of the power-a We
ry different thing from originating and con-
trolling Legislation, and performing all along a
part of the legislative functions by advice insn-
uated, and finally claiming the power Of the We
to- Such has been the system things of late
In the action of the Federal Government, an
swering exactly to "the great danger" before
specified in the Inaugural, by "the accuneuld-
tion of power in one branch of the Government,
which, belongs to another" Every one will
see, that this is the true picture of the Jackson
Van Buren, dynasty. Thanks TO heaven, the
country is rescued, and man put at the helm of
our affairs, who stands pledged to "arrest the
progress" of this alarming usurpation and who
has the strongest motives for doing so.
SO long as the President of the United States
claims or uses the right of interfering with the
Legislation of Congress, or of trespassing on the
independent prerogatives of that body, there is
no safety. He is purely an Erecutiue func-
tionary, and there is no officer of the Govern
ment whom it is so important to keep within. his
sphere, on account of his great power.
The Teto.
"The negative upon the acts of the legisIa-
ture, by the Executive authority, and that in
the hands of one individual, would seem to be
an incongruity in our SYSTEM" says the Presi-
dent, and well and truly said 1t is bald, mo-
narchical power, and the fact that it is rarely
used but for dissatisfaction and calamitous re-
suit, is sufficient evidence, that it is delicate
and dangerous power. In every case, il involves
responsibility, from which every true republi-
can might well shrink. 1t is an anti-repubcan.
and may be despotc power. That it is mo
ndrchical, is undeniabe. Well might man,
whose mind has been formed and schooled like
Gen. Harrison's, pause over this ''incongruity
in our system"
Finding it, however, in the Constitution,
which he has sworn to "preserve, protect, and
defend, to the best of his ability" he has ex-
pounded it in way that must be very satisfac-
tory to apeope ever jealous Of republican rights;
II consider the Veto power, given by the Con
stituton to the Executive of the United States,
solely as a conservative power, to be used, 1st
To protect the Constitution from violation. 3D.
The people from the effects of hasty Legislation
where their will has been probably dsregarded
or not well understood. And Sd. To prevent
the effects of combinations violatve Of the
rights Of minorties."