Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-09-23

~ the iniass ei all these varieties nj
{ opinion, an impen,g fahle mystery SCENE d
u hang over the whole question. There
was no such frank interchange Of ssnti-
! men, as ought 10 characterize the inter.
, course Of a President and his friends, and
the last persons in the government who
would seem TO have teen entrusted with
/. his confidence IN those embarrassing top
les were the constitutional advisers which
The laws had provided Tor him.
In this review OF the position into which
the late events have thrown the Wing
party, il is with profound sorrow We look
to the course pursued by the President.
lie has wresied from us one of the best
fruits Of long and painful struggle,
/ and the consummation of glorious VIC
I tory: be has even perhaps thrown us
once more upon the field o.! political
strife, not weakened in numbers, nor
shorn of the support Of the country, but
stripped Of the arms which success bad
placed in our hands, and left again to rely
upon that high patriotism which for twelve
4 years sustained us in conflict Of untqual-
ed asperity, and which finally Brought US
\ to the fulilment Of those brilliant hopes
which he has done so much TO destroy.
In this state OF things the Wings will
naturally look with anxiety TO the future,
and inquire what are the actual relations
between the President ard thoss who
brought him into power and what, in the
opinion oftheir friends in Congress, should
be their course thereafter. On both Of
these questions we feel il 10 be our duty
TO address you in perfect frankness and
without reserve, but, at that same time,
with due respect to others.
/ In regard to The first, we are constrain-
ed to say, that the President, by the
course he has adopted in respect to'tbo
application of the veto power to two sue
ccssive bank charters, each Of which
there was just reason to believe would
meet his appreciation by his withdrawal
Of confidence from his real friends in Con.
gress and from the members Of his Cabi-
net; by his bestowal Of it upon others
notwithstanding their notorious opposition
TO leading measures of his Administration,
has voluntarily separated himself from
those by whose exertioDs and suflrages
he was elevated 10 that Office through
J which he reached his presen; exalted sta
ation is as extraordinary as the anpuncia.
ton oil il is painful and mortilying. Whit
are the consequences and duties which
grow out ofi,i
! The first consequence is, that those
who brought the President into power
can be no longer, in any manner or dc.
gree, justly held responsible or blamed for
the administration OF the Executive branch
of the Government and that tho Presi-
dent and his advisers should be exclusive
~ hereafter deemed accountable. But,
as by the joint acts Of Providence and tho
People he is consttulionally invested with
the powers Of Chief Magistrate, whilst he
remains in Office he should be treated with
perfect respect by all. And it will be tho
duty Of tie Wings, in and out Of Congress,
to give to his official acts and measures
fair and full consideration, approving them
and cooperating in their support where
they can, and differing from and opposing
any Of them only from high sense of
public duty.
The more important question remains
TO be touched. What ought ie be the flu
ture line Of conduct of the Wing party in
the extraordinary emergency which now
exists
They came into power TO accomplish
great and patriotic objects. BY the zeal
and perseverance Of the majoritics in Coz
Sress, some OF the most important Of those
objects have been carried at the extra ses-
SION. Others yet remain to be effected.
The conduct Of the President has occa-
stoned bitter modification and deep regret.
Shall the party, therefore, yielding to sem
tmcnis Of despair, abandon its duty, and
submit to defeat and disgrace Far from
suffering such dshonorable consequences,
the very disappointment which il has un.
fortunately experienced should serve only
to redouble its exertions, and to inspire II
with lresh courage to pcrsevere with a
spirit uGsubdued and resolution unshak-
en-, until the prosperity Of the country is
fully re.established, and its liberties firm
~ secured against all danger from tho
abuses, encroachments. or usurpatons of
the Executive department of the Govern
mCnt.
A the head Of the duties which remain
for the Wings to perform towards their
country, stand conspicuously and precmi-
nently above all others
First. A reduction of the executive
power, BY further limitation of the Veto,
so as to secure obedience 10 the public
will, as that shall be expressed by tho inn
mediate Representatives Of the People and
the States, with no other control than that
which is Indispensable to avert TASTY or
unconstitutional legislation.
By the adoption Of a single term for the
incumbent Of The Presidential office.
BY separation of the Purse from the
Sword, and with that view to place the
appointment Of the Head of the Treasury
in Congress and
BY subjecting the power of dismissal
from office TO just restrictions, so as to
render the President amenable for its OK.
ercisc.
Second. The establishment, by Congress
OF fiscal agent, competent. to collect,
safely keep, and disburse the public mo-
neys, to restore the currency, and to equal
re the exchanges Of the country and
Ihtrd. The introduction of economy