Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-03-17

no punishment but after well ascertained
guilt. the result of investigation under
forms prescribed by the Constitution ITSELF
These precious privileges, and those
| scarcely less important of giving express
sion to his Thoughts and. opinions, either
by writing or speaking. unrestrained but
| by the liability for injury to others, and
that of a full participation 10 all the advan-
tages which flow from the Government,
the acknowledged property of all, the
American citizen derives from no charter
granted by his fellow man. He claims
them because he is himself man, fash
Toned by the same Almighty hand as the
rest of his species, and entitled 10 full
share of the blessings with which he has
endowed them Iii . -.
notwithstanding the limited sovereign
tv possessed by the people of the .. STATES,
and the restricted grant OF power to the
government which they have adopted.
enough has been given to accomplish all
the objects for which it was created. |:
has been found powerful in war, and, hith-
i crto, justice has been administered, an in.
innate union effected, domestic tranquility
preserved, and personal liberty secured to
the citizen. As was to be expected, how
ever, from the defect of language, and the
sententious, manner in which the Cons:i-,
tuition is written, disputes have arisen as
to the amount of power which it has actu-
ally granted, or was intended to grant.
This is more particularly the case in rela-
ton to that part of the instrument which
treats of the Legislative branch. And not
only as regards the exercise of power
claimed under general clause giving that
body the authority to pass all laws neces-
sary to carry into effect the specified pow
ers, bull in relation to the latter also. 1t
4 is, however. consoatory to reflect that most
of the instances of alledged departure from
the letter or spirit of the Constitution have
ultimately received the sanction of a ma
i jority ofthe people. And the fact, that
/ many of our statesmen, most distinguished
for talent and patriotism, have been, at one
time or other of their political career, on
both sides of each OF the most warmly
disputed questions, forces upon US the In
ference that the errors, if errors there
were, are attributable othe intrinsic diff
Guilty, in many instances, of ascertainlng
the intentions of the trainers of the Con,
stitution, rather than the influence of any
sinister or unpatriotic motive.
: But the great danger to our institutions
does not appear to me to be in q usurpa-
: ton, by the Government, of power not
granted by the People, but by the accu-
mutation, in one, of the departments, OF
, that which was assigned to others. Linn
! tied as are powers which have been grant
. ed, still enough have been granted to con-
: stitute .despotism, if concentrated in one
/ Of the departments This danger IS great.
" heightened, as it has always been OBJ,
/, servabIe that men are less jealous of en-
croachments of one department upon
r another, than upon their own reserved
! rights. .1.. ....,a, = ~.e.. ...:..e.
! When the Constitution of the United
/ States first came from the hands OF the
) Convention which formed il, many of the
sernest republicans of the day were al
armed at the extent of the power which
) had been granted to the Federal Govern
ment, and more particularly of that por-
: ton which had been assigned tothe Exec
utve branch There, were in, it features
which appeared not to be in harmony with
} their ideas of simple representative de-
: mocracy, or republic. And knowing the
: tendency Of power TO increase itself, par
ticularly when executed by single indi-
/ vidual, predictions were made that, at no
7 very remote period, the Government would
! terminate in virtual monarchy. Il would
: not become me to say that the fears ofthese
patriots have been already realized. But,
t as I,sincerely believe that the tendency OF
: measures, and of mems opinions, Cor some
yea RS past, has been in that direction, it is,
: conceive, strictly proper that should
} take this occasion to repeat the assurances
t have heretofore given, OF my determine
I ton to arrest the progress ofthat tendency,
! if it really exists, and restore the Govern
$ ment TO its pristine health and .vigor, as
: far as this can be affected by any legiti-
4 mate exercise of the power placed in my
5 hands.
s L proceed to state, in as summary a
! manner as can, my opinion of the sources
e OF the evils which have been SO extensively
r complained of, and the correctiyes which
I may be applied. Some of the former are
I unquestionably TO be found in the defects
[, of the Constitution; others in my ,judg,
/ ment, are attributable to misconstructioh
y of some of its provisions. OF the forme'
j is the eligibility Of the same individual TO
e a second term OF the. Presidency. The
i sagacious mind of Mr.. Jefferson early
IS saw and lamen,ed this error, and attempt:
II have been made. hitherto without success
IS to apply the amendatory power OF Inc
A. States to IFS correction.
AS. however, one mode of correction j:
i in the power of every President. and con
a seauently in mine, it would be useless