Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-03-11

tended 70 grant. This is moro particularly
the case in relation 20 that part Of the instru.
ment which treats Of tho Legislative branch.
Aud not only as regards the exercise Of
powers claimed under general clause, giving
that body the authority to pass all laws neces.
sary to carry into effect the specified powers,
but IN relation to tho latter also. 1t is, how
ever, consolatory TO reflect, that mast Of the
instances OF alleged departure from the letter
or spirit OF the Constitution, have ultimately
received the sanction of Il majority of the pco-
pie. And the fact, that many of our states.
men, most distinguished for talent and patri-
otism, have been, at one time or other oftheir
political career, on both sides of each of the
most warmly disputed questions, forces upon
US the inference that the errors, il errors there
were, are attributable to the Intrinsic Difficult.
", IN many instances, of aScertaining the in
tenuens oil the trainers Of the Constitution.
rather than the influence Of any sinister OF
unpatriotic motive.
But the great danger to our institutions
does not appear to me to be in usurpatiop.
oy the Government, Of power not granted bv
the People, but by the accumulation, in one
OF the Departments, of that which was as
signed to others. Limited as are the powers
which have been granted, still enough have
oeen granted to constitute despotism, if con-
centratcd in ono Of tho departments. This
danger Is greatly heightened, as it has been
always observable that men are less Jealous
OF encroachments Of one department upon a.
nother, Than upon their own reserved rights.
| When tho Constitution ofthe United States
hrst came from the hands Of the Convention
which formed it, many of the sternest rcpub-
| Means OF the day were alarmed at the extent
OF the power which had been granted to the
| Federal Government, and more particularly
OF that portion which had been ASSIGNED to
the Executive branch. There were in il fea.
lures which appeared not to be in HARMONY
with their ideas Of simple representative
democracy, or Republic. And knowing the
tendency OF power to increase itself, particu-
larry when exercised by single individual,
predictions were made that, at no very remote
period, the Government would terminate in
virtual monarchy. 1t would not become me
10 say that the fears Of these patriots have
been already realized. But, as | sincerely
oei'eVe tnat the tendency OF measures, and of
mems opinions, for some years rast, has been
In that direction, it is, / conceive, strictly
proper that should take this occasion TO re-
peat the assuran 'es have heretofore given
OF my determination to arrest the progress of
mat tendency, If ii really exists. and restore
the Government to its pristine health and
vigor, as far rs this can be effected by any
legitimate exercise Of the power placed in my
hands.
! proceed TO state, in as summary manner
as can, my opinion Of the sources the evils
which have been so extensively complained
OF, and the correctives which may be applied.
some OF the former are unquestionably to be
found in the defects of the Constitution /;
others, IN my judgment, are attributable to a
mlsconstruction Of some Of its PROVISIONS
Cf the formeri is the eligibility ofthe same in
dividual to second term of the Presidency.
The sagacious mind of Mr.. Jefferson early
saw and lamented this error, and ATTEMPTS
have been made, hitherto without success, to
sPpiy the amendatory power OF the States to
its correction.
AS, however, one mode of correction is in
pcwero OF every President, and consequent
ly In mine, 1t would be useless, and perhaps
invidious, to ennmerate tho evils OF which,
In the opinion of many of our fellow-citizens
this error Of the sages who framed the Con-
stitution may have oeen tho source, and the
bitter fruits which we are still to gather from
1t, II 1t continues to dishgure our system. 1t
may be observed, however, as general re-
mark, that Republics can commit no greater
error than to adopt or continue any feature in
thelr systems OF government which NAV be
calculated to create or increase the love of
e.
cessity obliges them to commit the MANAGE
ment of their affairs. And, surely, nothing
is more likely to produce such state of mind
IMAM the long continuance of an office of
nigh trust. Nothing can be more corrupting.
aotning more destructive of all those noble
feelings which belong TO the character Of
devoted republican patriot. When this cor
iupttng passion once takes possession of the
human mind, like the love of gold, il becomes
unsuitable. 1t is the never-dying worm in his
bosom, grows with his growth, and strength
ems with the declining years Of its vctim.-
III TINS is true, it is the part of wisdom for a
republic to limit the service of that officer, at
least, to whom she has intrusted the manage
mens of her foreign relations, the execution
oil her laws, and the command Of her armies
and navics, to period so short as to prevent
his forgetting that he is the accountable a.
gent not the principal--the servant, not the
master. Until All amendment of the Consti-
tuition can be effected, public opinion may Sc
cure the desired object. give my aid to it,
by renewing the pledge heretofore given, that,
under no circumstances, will / consent to
serve second term.
But If there is danger to pnbllc liberty from
the acknowledged defects Of the Constitution.
IN the want of limit to the continuance of the
Executive power in the same hands, there is,
1 aPprehend, not much less from miscon-
struction Of that instrument, as it regards the
powers actually given. cannot conceive
that. by fair construction, any or either Of
its provisions would be found to constitute
the President part of the legislative power
1t cannot DO claimed from the power to re.
commend. since, although enjoined as duty
upon him, it is privilege which he holds in
common with every other citizen. And al
though there may be something more of con-
fidence in the proprie,y Of the measures re-
commended In the one case than in the other,
in the obligations Of ultimate decision there
10 T.