Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-04-10

exist to kcCcp IN ;'lc GcIHSi0R under which
they tho people, may be supposed to have
acted in relation to my principles and opin-
ions" This is a very delicate and cutting
sarcasm. 1t is sword of more than two
edges, and in more hands than one. Every
friend Of the man who uttered it would be
ready TO exclaim, "Deluded!" and throw
back the imputation with scorn on the
heads of its authors.
"The outline of principles to govern, and
of measures to be adopted, by an Admins
tration not yet begun, will soon be OK
changed for immutable history, and shall
stand, either eXhonerated to my country
men, or classcd with the mass Of those who
promised that they might deceive, and fat
tered with the intention to betray.' A
bold position this, which none but those
who are EARNED strong with honesty"
would dare to take, and a defiance, the
front Of which will be assaulted if il can be.
"Exhoncrated" He had then been accused.
Who are they that promise to deceive,
and hatter to bctray!" They are to be
found in the history of country that has
fallen PROSTATE by their misruc The gar
ments cut cut by this sI>ilful hand viii be
put on those whom they fit.
Those who were ,cWing TO know Gen.
Harrison's principles, knew them as well
before as now, nor will any one say, de-
string credit for honesty, that this document
is unintclligibIe.
The sovereignty of the people.
THE broad foundation upon which our
Constitution rests being the pcople-a
breath of theirs having made. a breath can
unmake, change, Or modify tit can be
assigned to none of the great divisions Of
Government, but to that of Democracy"
Here is distinct recognition of the fun
damental principle of the American Gov
eminent and its institutions, on which the
entire editice reposcs. Here is also re-
cogntion rarely made, and none more true
or important to be observed, than the De-
mocracy, the people, are component,
power, and great division of Govern
ment." They are indeed the chief, the all
controlling division of the actual govern
ment Of the country. 1t is not theory only,
but fact, under the legitimate operation OF
our institutions. The people take their
part in Government. Every branch OF
authority, and every agency Of Govern
rent control, is refcrabe to this primal
source, and dependent upon it. How diff
ferent this from the opinions which were
getting INTO vogue during the late dynasty,
and which had actually gained such an as
tendency that, instead Of looking down to
the people, it was all looking up to the Pres,
ident. The people were not recognized a:
"grcat division of Government" In the
single sentence above quoted, President
Harrison has brought out the orthodox
doctrine, standing in strong contrast to the
practice OF two Of his immediate prede.
ccssors, and restoring the principle to it:
rightful position. "The only Legitimate
right to govern is an express grant of pow
or from the governed"
The Pouers of Federal Legislation.
The remarks upon this point are histor
ical and expository, and go TO show tina
opinion as to the extent Of these power
has not been uniform. From the fact, tina
many of our most eminent statesmen have
been on both sides of the disputed ques
tons, it is suggested that the difficulties arr
intrinsic.
"1he great danger"
"The great danger to our Institutions
says the President, docs not appear to mc
tobe in usurpation by the Government 0
power not granted by the people, but by
the accumulation in one of the department
of that which was assigned to others.
/ sincerely believe that the ten
dency of measures, and of mems opinions
for some gears past, has been in that di
rection."
On account Of the high source and au
thority of this doc ument, the last Of thes
two statements, as to matters of fact, is
very grave one. Nevertheless, every oh
server knows it to be strictly true. Tha
rapid and amazing absorption Of power j;
the Executive, by encroachirg on the othe
branches of the Government, accumuatin
strength in one at the expense of the othe
two, without apparently infringing on poE