Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-03-16
TUESDAY, MARCH I6, IS4I.

eus IN every section. State. aud subdivision OF tho
Union, mus, consider himself bound bV the sol
emn sanctions. 90 guard, protect and defend The rights
of all, and OF portion. great small, from the
injustice aud oppression Of the rest consider the
veto power therefore. given boy the constitution the
Executive of the United States solely as a cpnsefva-
tive power; Toe used only, lsi, protect the Con-
sulion from violation; 2dly, the People from The ol-
iccts Of h1siy lcgisatlon where their will has been
probably disrcgardcd, not well understood and,
3dy, prevent the effects Of combinations violaye of
the rights of minores In reference TO the second of
these objects, may observe that consider the right
and privilege of the People 10 decide disputed points
OF the Constitution, arising nom the general grant of
power 10 Congress carry into effect the powers OK
prcssy given. And believe with Mr. Madison, that
repeated recogultious under varied circumstances ia
acts OF the legislative, executive and judicial branches
OF the Government accompanied by indications IN diff
iercnt modes of the concurrence of the general will of
the nation, afiordug 10 the President sufficient
ihouy for his considering such disputed points set
tied
Upwards of half a century has elapsed since the
adoption OF our present form of government Ii would
be object more highly desirable than the gratifca-
ton of the curiosity OF speculative stltesmou fits pre-
else situation could he asceuaned, fair exhibit made
OF the operations OF each of It's Departments, Of the
powers which thew respectively claim and exercise of
the collisions which have occurred between thcm or
between the whole government and those of the States
either of them. We could then compare our actual
condition, after fifty years trial Of our system, with
what II was IN the commencement Of its operations
and ascertain whether the predictions of the patriots
who opposed its adoption, the confident hopes of It's
advocates have been lest realized. The great dread
OF the former seems 10 have been, that the reserved
powers OF the States would be absorbed by those the
Federal Government and a consolidated power estab-
lished leaving to the State the shadow olly othat in
dependent action for which they had zeaonsly con
tended and on the preservation Of which they relied as
the last hope OF liberty. Without DENYING that the re-
suit TO which they looked with mach apprehension
is in the way Of being realized, il is obvious that they
did not clearly see the mode Of its accomplishment
The General Government has seized upon none Of
the reserved rights OF the States AS far as any open
warfare may have gone, the State authorities have am
ply maintained their rights. To a casual observer
our system presents no appearance of discord between
the different members that compose H. Even the adj
dOn OF many ones has produced no iarring.-
They in their respective orbits in perfect hdrmo
ny with the central head, and with each other. But
there is still under work. by which, if not
seasonaby checked, the worst approximations of our
antl-iedeTal patriots viii be realized. And not only
will the State authorities be overshadowed by the great
Increase of power in the Executive Department Of the
General Government, but the character Of that Gov
eminent, If not its designation be essentially and rad
lcally changed. This state OF things has been in part
effected by inherent in the Constitutions and in
part 10y the neyer-iallng tendency political power to
increase itself
BY making the President the sole distributor of all
the patronage of the Government the trainers Of the
Constitution do not appear to have anticipated at how
short period II would become formidable instrument
TO control the free operations of the State Govern
]
Mr. Jeiersons administration, become powerful as
to create great alarm in the mind of that patriot from
the potent influence 1t might exert in controlling the
freedom OF the elective franchise. II such could have
then been the effects OF its influence how much great
CT must be the danger at this tme quadrupled in "a
mount, as ii certainly IS, and more completely under
the control Of the executive will, than their consruc-
ton OF their powers allowed the forbearng charac-
ter of all the early Presidents permitted them make
Bot it is not by the extent offs patronage alone that
the Executive Department has become dangerous but
by the use which II appears may be made Of the APP
pointing power 10 bring under lis control, the whole
revenues Of the county. HE Constitution has de.
cared to be the duty ofhe President that the
laws are executed, and 1t makes him the Commander
in Chief Of the Armies and Navy Of the Uuiled States
II the opinion OF the most approved writer's upon that
species Of mixed Government which, in modern Eu-
rope is termed Monarchy, in contradsuncton to Des-
potsm, Is correct, there was wanting other addition
10 the powers of Chief Magistrate, TO stamp mo-
naTchia character Government, but the control
Of the public finances. And to me II appears strange
indeed, that any should doubt that the entire con
troll which the President POSSESSES over the officers
who have the custody OF the public money by the I
power of removal with without cause, does, Tor all
Tnischieyous purposes al least virtually subject the
treasure also 70 his disposal. The first Roman En- .
peror, in his attempt 70 seize the sacred treasure, ST.
fenced the opposition of the officer 10 whose charge il .
had been committed, by a significant allusion 10 his
sword. By selection OF political instruments for the
Of the public money, reference 10 their commits
sions by President, would be quite olectual an
argument that OF Caesar 10 the Roman Knight
not nseusible Of The great difficulty that exists
IN devisng proper plan for the s4iekecpng aud dis
buFsemeni OF the public revenues, aud know the I'M
porance which las been attached By of great a.
bliies and patriotism 20 the divorce, d is called Of
the Treasury from the backing Institutions. II is
the divorce which is complained Of bot the uuh@low-
ed union OF the Treasury with the Executive Depart
ment which has created such extensive alarm To
this danger 10 ouruPuJeau lasiiuiona and that cre,
aicd by the influence given 20 tie Exec@tse through
tn