The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-09
rNELleIBILrTY OF THE PRESIDENT

| The Van Buren, federalists have resolved to
oppose one Of the leading and most important
principles decided by the late election. We al
lude to the amendment of the Constitution as to
the re-elgiblity Of the President. We judge
this fact to be so, from the almost simultaneous
appearance in the Globe Of Report adopted by
the South Carolina Legislature against the pro-
posed amendment, and of another copied from
the Cincinnati Advertiser, introducing letter
of Mr.. Benton's. approving the denomination of
Mr.. Van Buren,.
The South Carolina Report, endorsed as
Every able" by the Globe, is, in our opinion, a
fiimsy and indefensible production, having ex-
clusvely for its object temporary restoration of
banished dynasty 1t seems, however, as a
matter of course, to settle one thing, and that
| is, the indefinite postponement Of the preten-
sions Of John G. Calhoun, while it involves in
similar fate, the claims of Messrs. Buchanan,
Benton, and others of the same party.
On this subject, as on nearly every other
South Carolina, and her federal allies, have
taken the ertreme gauche We know, therefore,
in advance, where they will be found, though it
seems to us South Carolina would have enacted
more dignifed part, if she had consented
to await the Developments Of the policy Of the
new Administration, and profered her aid to
such of its purposes as would appear to be pa
triotic, and designed to advance the general good
Of the country and the welfare of mankind. The
contrary course, and especially the assumption
of a tone of defiance, if not menace, towards the
whole Union, is not only unwise and illiberal,
but borders on the ridiculous and contemplate.
The sympathy expressed by the Richmond En-
quirer in the threats of that State to nulify such
laws passed by Harrison Congress as they
may construe into an ''encroachment upon their
constitutional rights" is worthy Of that paragon
Of consistency, who, unlike any other man in
the country, except Mr.. Calhoun, can boast of
having been on nearly every side of every inn
portant measure that has agitated the Union for
the last twenty years. 1t is becoming politi-
clan who glories in swaying mass Of ignorance
Astounding more in Virginia than in any other
State in proportion to the population, and who
has contributed all in his power to make that
once proud State set the most notable and hui
initiating example Of faction and disorganiza-
ton, and insult to the Union, by refusing to dis
charge her constitutional duties in the election OF
Senator. But if disorganization, notification,
and factious opposition to the fairly and clearly
expressed will of the majority, are to supplant
every patriotic sensibility in the hearts of the
Van Buren, federalists, we shall pity their in
fatuation, but they are to be dreaded no more
than nettle-grass is 10 be regarded by the sweep
ing thunder storm.
, The principal objection South Carolina makes
to the one term principle is, that it win render
the policy of the country unstable.
No Republican who looks to the People. and
not to the Executive, as the source of policv.
can see any force in this objection, while MANY
strong reasons exist in favor of the proposed
, amendment
l. When President is re-elgble, he shapes
his measures rather to secure his reelection
than the permanent welfare of the country.
2. Intrigue and corruption rise to such height
as to compromise the very existence of the Re
public.
8. In the language Of De Tocqueville 81
tends to degrade the political morality Of the PEG
pie, and to substitute adroitness for patriotism.
4. II tends to enlarge the power Of the Execu
tive -
; 5. The President becomes tool in the hand
Of his partzans, or else he purchases their sup
: port 10 his dictates.