Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-03-10


lean citizen derives from no charter granted
by his fellow man. He claims them because
ne is himself a Man, fashioned by the same
Almighty hand as the rest of his species, and
entitled 10 1ull share of the blessings with
which he has endowed them.
Notwithstanding the limited sovereignty
possessed by the People the United States
and The restricted grant of power TO the Gov
ernment which they have adopted, enough
has been given to accomplish all the objects
Tor which il was created. Ii has been found
powerful in war, and, hitherto, Justice has
been administered, an intimate union affected,
domestic tranquility preserved, and personal
liberty secured TO the citizen. As was to
be expected, however, from the defect Of Ian
guage, and the necessarily sententious man
ner in which the Constitution is written, dis
putes have arisen as TO the amount Of power
which it has actually granted, or was intend
ed 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 powers
claimed under a general clause, giving that
body the authority to pass all laws necessa-
ry 10 carry into effect the specified powers,
but IN relation to the latter also 1t is how
ever, consolalory to reflect, that most of the
instances of the alleged departure from the
letter or spirit of the constitution, have ul-
received the sanction of majority
of the people. And the fact that many of
our statesmen, most distinguished for talent
and patriotism, have been at one time or 9th
er of their political career, on both sides Of
each of the most warmly disputed questions,
forces upon us the inference that the errors, !
II errors they were, are attributable to the |
intrinsic difficulty in many instances, of as
the intensions, of the trainers of
the constitution, rather than the influence of
any sinister or unpatrloic motive.
But the great danger TO our institutions
does not appear to me to be in usurpation
by the government Of power not granted by
he people, but by the accumulation in one Of
he departments, Of that which was assigned /
% others. Limited as are the powers which
have been granted, still enough have been
granted TO constitute despotism, if concen-
rated in one of the departments. This dam
ger IS greatly heightened, as it has been al
ways observable that men are less Jealous of
of one department upon an
'ther, than upon their own reserved rights. /
When the Constitution OF the United States /
irst came from the hands of the Convention
which formed II. many of the sternest re-
ublicans of the day were alarmed at the ex-
ent Of the power which had been granted to
be Federal Government, and more particular
Y Of that portion which had been assigned to
he Executive branch. There were in it I
eatures which appeared not to be in harmony
With their ideas Of simple representative
Democracy, or Republic. And knowing the
endency Of power TO increase itself, partic-
.larly when exercised by a single individu-
i, predictions were made that. at no very
emote period, the Government would ter I
innate in virtual monarchy. 1t would not
,ecome me to say that the fears of these pa
riots have been already realized But, as |
sincerely believe that the tendency Of meas
lTes, and of mems opinions, for some years
)ast. has been in that direction, it is, con-
,eive, strictly proper that | should take this |
occasion to repeat the assurances | have {
heretofore given of my determination TO ar {
est the progress of that tendency, if it real
Y exists, and restore the Government to It's
pristine health and Vigor, as far as this can :
'e effected by any legitimate exercise Of the |
,ower placed in nv hands S
| proceed to state, in as summary a man {
er as / can. my opinion Of the sources of
be evils which have been so extensively
omplained of, and the correctiyes which
nay be applied. Some of The former are
to be found in the defects of !
he Constitution; others, in my judgment, are
to q misconsiruclon of some of !,
IS provisions. OF the former is the eligibil- {
.v of the same individual TO a second term I
{ the Presidency. The sagacious mind of E
f Mr.. Jefferson early saw and Iamented this G
rror, and at;emps have been made, hitherto !
without success, 10 apply the amendatory /,
over Of the states 10 lis correction. As, ?
owever, one mode of correction is in the {
over Of every President, and consequently t
n mine, it would be useless, and perhaps in f
idlous. TO enumerate the evils of which, in I
he opinion Of many Of our fellow-citizens,
his error Of the sages who framed the Con-
titution may have been the source, and the
utter fruits which VIC are still to gather from
t, if 1t continues 10 dis6gure our system. 1t
nay be observed, however, as a general re-