Columbus Democrat., 1841-03-27

instances OF alleged departure irom The letter or Spir
II ul the Constitution have ultima tel received the
sanction OF a majority OF the people, hnd the fact
tlat many of cur saiesln n mos. distinguished Tor
talent aud p1rioi>H, have been i one nme or 9th
er OF Their political career ou both sides OF each OF
the most warmly disputed questions orceS upon VI
the iaiertnce that the erroS, II errors there were
are attributable 10 yhe Intrinsic d d.iculues ~ many
instances, OF aseeraning the intentions OF lhe franz
efs 81 he Constitutions rather lhan he Influence of 1
any sinister or uupatriotc motlye.
but Tie great danger 10 our institutions does not I
appear 10 ale 10 be ~ uSurpatan, by the Govern
ment, Of power not granted by the people bot BY |
the accumulation, in une OF the departments, Of thar
WINCH was assigned 10 others. Limited as arc the |
powers which lave been granted, still enough have |
been granted, to constitute desputsm. Tins daM |
ger Is sreay eghened, as il has heen always oh
servabe That men are less lefous of eucroacameuts
OF one department upon another, than upon their
own reserved rights
When the constitution Of the the United Stales
first came from the'handS Of the Convention which
formed II, many OF the SterneS republicans Of thr
day were alarmed AT he extent oi the power winch
had been granted to the Federal Government. aud
more particularly Of that portion which had been
assigned 10 the Executive branch. There were
IN 1t features wh lch appeared not To be in
harmony with Their IDEAS Of simple representative
Democracy, or Republic, Aud Knowing the ten
dency .: power To increase Itself particularly when
exercised by "A single individual, predictions we've
made that al no very remote period, the Govern
| ment would terminate in virtual monarchy Ii
would not become me to say that the fears OF these
| patriots have been already eai1ed. But, as sin
cerey believe, that the tendency o measures and
Of mems opinions, for some years past, has been IN
| that direction, il is, conceive strictly proper that
should take this occasion TO repeat the assurances
| have heretofore given Of my determination to ar
rest the progress Of that tendency, ilil really exists
and restore the Government 10 its pristine health
and yigor, far this can be effected by any Ie-
gitimae exercise OF The power placed in my
hands.
! proceed 10 state, in as summary manner as !
! can, my opnun OF the sources Of the evils which
have been 50 extensively complained ol,and the cor
receives which may be applied. Some OF the for.
mer are una ,estionaby to be found II the defects
OF the constitution; others, in my judgment, are at
trlbulable to nsconSructon OF some OF It's pro-
visions. Vi the former IS the eligibility OF The same
individual 10 a second term OF the Presidency
The sagacious mind oI Mr. Jefferson early saw and
amcnled this error, and attempts have been made
hittello without success to apply The amendatorS
power OF the states 10 us correction
As however, one mode Of correction is IN the
power Of every President, and consequently il
inne it would bt useless, anG perhaps nvld GUS tt
fellow citizens this erIor Of The sages who frame,
the C0ostut on may have been the source, and tn,
bitter irits Which we are Sl IL gather from It, /:
It continues to di,tigure our Sytem. II may may b
observed, however, as general remark, that Re
pubhcs can commit no greater error than to adopt o
continue amy feature IN thcir systems OF governmen
which NAV be ca culated to create or increase In,
love Of power, In the hosomS Of those TO Whom ne
neCcSsny nhliass ,ho,. t., es,.aaiit ne naua &C
| ,ne1t o their affairs. Aud surely nothing is NOR
Ih.ly to pfuducc such state oi mind :han tht
lpnr cdnlnuance OF an office of high irust.--
Nothing can lie more eorrupthg, nothing more de
strucilyt. Of an those noble leelngs which belong
character OF devoted republican patriot Whe
lnls couHptug passion once takes possession oI lh
II human und Ike the love Of gold, it becomes nSat
iable II IS tue never dying worm IN his bosom
grows wlh his ItoWlh,and strengthens with the de
clning wears oi its vctn.. lfthlS Is true, il Is th
part Of wisdom ,or republic 10 Limit The service d
that Office at least, TO whom she has inlrusltd II
< management Of her oleign relations, the eXccu
y culluu Of her laws, ard the c0mmad OF her armt
!, and navies, 10 a period SO short TO preVel
= hls forgetting that lie is the accountable agen
II OF not the priucpal-lhe servant, not the ma
4 ter Until an amendment OF The CONSTITUTE
can he effected public opinion may secure Il
. desired oblect. give my aid to it. by renewr
y the pledge heretofore gwen, tha under no circui
~
= But il there is danger TO public liberty from Il
!. Acknowledged defects OF the CONSTITUTIONS the wa
m OF limit To the continuance OF Executive power
~ The same hands, there is, lapprehend, moi much le
from misconStructlon Of that instrument, as r
CARDS the powers actually given. cannot concei
" that by fair construction any or either ol Is pl
:. visions would BE found To constitute the pre-
ed dent part gol the legislative power. Ii c3nnol
n, claimed from the power 10 recommend, since,
Intty "a, q, t,,
r.. lege which he holds in common with every oil
" citizen And although there may be someth
10 more Of confidence IN the propriely ol the measu
recommended in The one case than in the other
en- the Obligations Of ultimate decision there can he
in difference In the language Of the Constitution,
ms the legislative powers" which it grants are YES
,,h in The Congress of the United States" 1t wo
~ be solecism in language TO say that any portion
' these is not included IN lie whole.
~ ~ N Ii may be said, indeed, that the consttnt
81. 'n' has given to the Executive the power TO an
=" the acts oi the legislative body, by refusing
=" them his assent SO a similar power has nee
~ sary resulted from that instrument to the Ju
- ciary and yst the Judiciary forms no par OF
." Legislature. There is, it is true, this diiiere'
'"S between these grants Ol pog er. The Execu
~ can put his negative upon the acts Of the Les
lalufe Tor other cause Than that Of want Of c
~ iormy to the Constitution, whilst the Judc'
yes can only declare void those which violate
ca instrument. But the decision Of the Judici
~ is final III such case, whereas, in every nsla
oh' where the veto OF the Executive is applied
~ may be overcome by vote oil two thirds OF ,
'o'' Houses Of Congress. The negative upon
a. acts of the Legislative by the Executive auho
i'eu and that in the hands Of one individual, wt
~ seem 10 be an incongruity IN our system.
'sn' some others OF Similar character, however
- appears 10 be highly expedIenti and II USED {
nus With The forbearance, aud 10 the spr which
intended by its authors, it may be productive
$50, o.. great god and be found one Of the best :
hcb guards TO tbesUnon At Ihe period Of the
} ac- uallon Of the Constitution, theprucPie does
d. appear to have enjoyed much favor IN ih9
lus- Governments. Ii existed but 10 Two and ~