Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-04-19
LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.
PRESIDENT TYLESS'S
ADDRESS
TO TuEPEOpLEoE TIE u. STATES.

L =
Harrison, late President of the United States. Up
on him you had conferred your sufrages for the first
Office i'll your gift, and had selected him your
chosen instrument to correct and reform all such
and abuses had manifested themselves from
time to time in the practical operation of government
While standing at the threshold of this great work.
he has, by the dispensaton of an all-wise Provi-
dence been removed from amongst us, and, by the
provisions of the constitutions the efforts to be d
rected to the accomplishment of this vitality impor
tant task, have dovolved upon myself. This same
occurrence has subjected the wisdom and efficiency
of our institutions to new test.
For the first time in our history, the person cleo |
ted to the Vice Presidency of the United States, by
the happening of contingency provided for in the
constitution has had devolved upon him the Presi
dental office The spirit of faction, which is di- |
recty opposed to the spirit of lofty patriotism, may
find in this occasion for assaults upon my admins
tration. And in succeeding, under circumstances
sudden and unexpected, and to responsibilities
so greatly augmented, to the administration OF pub
lie affairs shall place in ths intelligence and pat
riotism of the people my only sure reliance. My
earnest prayer shall be constantly addressed to the
all-wise and all-powerful Being who made me, and
by whose dispensation called to the high office
of President of this eouederacy, understandngly to
carry out the principles of that constitution which
have sworn ito protect, preserve and defend"
The usual opportunity which is afforded chief
magistrate upon his induction into Office, of present.
ing to his countrymen an exposition Of the policy
which would guide his administration, in the form
of an Inaugural Address, not having under the pc
cuiar circumstances which have brought Inc to the
discharge of the high duties of President of the I'm
tied States, been afforded to me- brief exposition
of the principles which will govern me III te gen
eral course Of my administration of public affairs,
would seem to be due, well to myself as to you.
In regard to foreign nations, the groundwork OF my
policy will be Justice our part to ALL submitting
70 INN, |
cultivate the relations of peace and amity with enc
and all, it will be my most imperative duty to see
that the honor of the country shall sustain no bem-
ish With q view to this, the condition OF our mill
tary defences will become matter of anxious sole
itude. The Army, which has in other days covered
itself with renown and the Navy, not lnapproprl-
ately termed the right arm of the public Defence
which has spread light Of glory over the American
standard in all the waters Of the earth, should be
rendered replete with efficiency.
In view of the fact well avouched by history, that
the tendency of all human institutions Is to concen-
trato power in the hands of single man, and that
their ultimate downfall has proceeded from this
cause ! deem it of the most essential importance
that complete separation should take place be-
tween the sword and the purse No matter where
or how the public money Shall be deposited so long
as the President can exert the power Of appointing
and removing, at his pleasure, the agents selected
for their custody the Commander-ln -chicf OF the
manent and radical change should therefore be de-
creed. The patronage Incidental to the Preslden-
tial Office, already great, is constantly increasing.
Such increase is destined to keep pace with the
growth of our population, until, without figure Of
speech, an army of Office holders may be spread
over the land The unrestraned power exerted by
a selfishly ambitious man, in order either to per-
petuate his authority or to hand it over to some
favorte as his successor, may lead to the employ
ment of all the means within his control to accom-
plish his object.
The right to remove from Office, while subjected
to no Just restraint is inevitably destined to produce
SHIRT OF crocl,iy. sGfyility with tho official corps
which, in order to uphold the hand that feeds
them, would lead TO direct and active interference
in the elections, both state and federal, thereby
subiecting the course of state Legislation to the
dictation of the Chief Executive officer; and max
ing the will of that officer absolute and supreme
[ will at a proper time invoke the action of Con-
gress upon this subject and shall readily acquiesce
in the adoption of all proper measures which
are calculated to arrest these evils, so full Of dan
ger in their tendency.
| will remove no incumbent from Office who has
faithfully and honestly acquitted himself of the du-
ties of his Office, except i'll such cases where sucf
officer has been guilty of active partisanshp, or by
secret means-the less manly, and therefore the
more obiectonabla-has given his official influence
to the purposes of party, thereby bringing the pat
ronage of the Government in conflict with the free
dom of elections. Numerous removals may become
necessary under this rule. These will be made BY
me through no acerbty of feeling | have had nc
cause to cherish or indulge unkind feelings towards
any, but my conduct will be regulated by profound
sense of what is due to the country and its institu
tons; nor shall neglect to apply the same unbend
ing rule to those of my own appointment. Free
dom of opinion will be tolerated, the full enjoymen
of the right of suffrage will be maintained as TIT
birthright of every American citizen, but say EN-
a. al tb,cf nrn and, ar
ther" | have dwelt the longer upon this subject
because removals from Office are likely often to a
rise, and would have my countrymen UNDERSTAND
| the principle of the Executive action.
In all public expenditures the most rigid econo
my should be resored to, and, as one of its result
public debt in time of peace be sedulously avoid
| ed A wise and patriotic constituency will neve
object to the imposition of necessary burdens fc
useful ends, and true wisdom dictates the resort t
such means, in order to supply deficiencies in tn
revenue, rather than to those doubtful eXpedient
which, eliminating in public debt serve to embai
rass the resources of the country, and to lessen il
ability to meet any great emergency which ma
| arise All sinecures should be abolished. The az
preparations should be direct and explicit, so as
leave as limited share of discretion to the disbu
sing agents may be found compatible with til
i public service. A strict responsibility on the pa
of all the agents of the Government should be maiI
tanned, and peculaton or deialcatlon visited wit
immediate expulsion from Office and the most col
dign punishment
The public interest demands that, if any war hi
existed between the Government and the currenc
it shall cease Measures Of financial characte
now having the sanction of legal enactment sha
; be faithfully enforced until repealed by the legisl
tive authority. But owe it to myself to declar
: that | regard existing enactments us unTise al
impolitc, and in high degree oppressive. | sha
a promptly give sanction to any constitutional mea
IRE which, originating in Congress- shall have f
its object the restoration of sound circulating m
dnm so essentially necessary to give confidence
all the transactions of life TO secure to industry
- just and adequate rewards and to re-establish Il
: public prosperity In deciding upon the adaptable
: of any such measure to the end proposed, as We
as its conformity 10 the Constitution ] shall rose
> to the Fathers Of the great Republican school t
c advice and instruction. to be drawn from their sal