The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-03-16

leges, and those scarcely less important of giving
expression to his thoughts and opinions, either by
wiring or speaking, unresirained by the liability
for injury TO others, and That ola full participation
IN all the advantages which flow from the govern
meni, the acknowledged property Of all, the Amer
can citizen derives from charter granted by his
fellow man. lie claims them because he is him
self man, fashioned by the Same Almighty hand as
The rest OF his species, and entitled to full share of
the blessings with which he has endowed them.
Notwithstanding the limited sovereignty possessed
by the people Of tho United States and the resirc
ted grant afpower to the government which they
have adopted, enough has been given to accom-
plish all the objects for which il was created II
has been found powerful in war and hitherto, ius
lice has been administered, an intimate Union etiec
ted, domestic tranquility preserved, and personal
liberty secured TO The citizen. As was to bo ex.
pected, however, from the defect of language, and
the necessarily senten,ious manner in which the
Constitution is written, disputes have arisen TO
the amount of the power which it has actually
granted. was intended to grant.
This is particularly the case in relation to
that paIt"f the Instrument which treats of the legis
lalivo BRANCH And not only as regards the
else ofpnwers claimed under tho general clause
giving that body the authority pass all laws nee.
essary to carry into effect the specified powers hut
in relation to the latter also 1t is however, con.
soaioIy reflect that tho most of The instances Of
alleged departure from the letter spirit Of the
Constitntian have ultimately received the sanction
of majority oC the People. And the fact TINT ms
nv Of our statesmen, most distinguished for talent
md n,,r..sm have been, at one time or other Of
their political carees. both sides of each ol the
the Inference tina, the errors, if errors ej were,
aresa, Irritable to the intrinsic difficulty, in many
INSTANCES. OF asrer,an,ns the Intentions of the fra
Of The ConsuInunn, rather ihan the influence
OF any sinister unphtriotic molve.
But the great danger 10 our institution does not
appear to me to I've in usurpnt,on, by the Govern
ment, or power not granted by the People, but by
the accumulation, in one Of the departments, Of
that which was assigned 10 others. Limited rs
the powers which have been granted, still enough
have been granted to constitute n despotsm, ifcon-
cen,raied in one of The departments. This danger
is greatly heightened, it has always been observ
able that men are less jealous Of encronchmenis of
one department. upon another than upon their own
reserved rights.
When the Constitution of the United States first
came from the hands ofthe Convention which form
ed it, many of the sternesl republicans OF The day
were alarmed Mt the extent of The power which had
been granted 10 The Federal Government, and more
particularly Of that portion which had been assign
ed to the Executive branch. There were in ii fea
lures which appeared not to be in harmony with
their ideas ola simple representative democracy,
or republic. And knowing The tendency of power
To increase itself, particularly when executed by a
single individual, predictions were made that III no
very remote period, the Government would tetm-
nate in virtual monarchy. 1t would no, become
me say that the fears Of these patriots have been
alrendy realized. But, as sincerely believe thai
the tendency Of measures, and of mems opinions,
for years past, has been in that direction, II rs
conceive strictly pioper that should take 'his oc
casion t. repent the assurances, have heretofore
uiyep Of my determination 10 arrest the progress
Of that tendency, rt really exists, and restore the
Govcrnmeu, TO its pristine heath and vigor, so far
AS this can be Elected ny any legitimate exercise OF
the power placed in my hands
proceed TO state, in as summary manner as
can my opinion of the sources of the evils which
have been extensively complained Of, " the cor
receives which may be applied. Some Of the for
mer are unqueslionably TO be found in the defects
ofthe CONSTITUTIONS; others, in my Judgment. are ut
ribulable to a misconslrncti on of somo Gifts pro
visions or the former is the eligibility Of the
InHivldUnl
CIV. The sagacions mind of MIR Jefferson early
saw and lnmonted this error, and attempts have
been mnde, hitherto without success, to apply
The amendatory power Of the States to its correc-
ton.
As however one mode of correction is in the
20 wer of every President, and consequently IN
mine it would he useless, and perhaps inviduous,
20 cnumerute the evils Of which in the opinion of
many oC our fellow citizens, this error ofsages who
framed tho Constitution may have been the source,
ard The bitter fruits oc which we are sllto gath
er from it, If it continues 10 dsfgure our sys-
tenn 1t may be observed, hnwever, Ms general
rema,k that republics can commit no greater error
IT, m 10 adopt continue any feature in their sys
lem of government which may be calculated To ere
ae o. increase the love of power in the hoson's "i
those TO whom necessity obliges them to commit
the mana cement Of their affairs. And surely no'h
ing is more likely 10 produce such state "i m'h"'
thnr the long continue Of an Office OF high trust.
Nothing can be more corrnpting, nothing more
destructive of those noble feelings which belong l"