Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1841-11-26
Letter frGRn GCn. Scott.
WASHINGTON, Oct, %, 1871.

GENTLEMEN: have lately had the
honor 10 receive many letters from as
many different States, each propound-
ing, on the part Of toe writer and his
neighhor, nearly the same political in
errogalories-to which answers ore
requested.
The scope Of the inquiries is natter
ing proof of tho interest that some Of
my countrymen take in the opinions
that have formed on certain great
principles Of abiding importance to the
success Of our systems of government;
and as have nothing to conceal, if
nothing Of value TO communicate, |
shall at once, ~ilhou, policy or reserve,
and in the form of a circular, comply
with their several requests,
Pariy Politics. Although from early
manhood have, by the profession Of
arms in the defence Of my country,
been thrown out Of the arena Of party
politics, yet have never ceased to be
on attentive observer Of pubic events;
and thus, believe, there has scarcely
been discussion of moment in Congress,
within my time, on which | did moi form,
and modestly but firmly express,
passing opinion.
A mere youth, | felt the liveliest Joy
when the alien and seditlon laws expir
ed in the triumph of Mr.. Jefferson. -
From 1906 was old enough, by speech
and pen, 10 call for prompt and ener
getic redress Of our wrongs suffered
from Great Britain, under her Orders
in Council; the attack on the Chesa-
peake frigate, and long continued i'm.
pressment Of our seamen; and when the
war Of 1912 at length came, was
mong the first and longest in the pre-
sence OF the foe. The insults received
from the French Direclory-their de-
predations on our commerce, renewed
under NspoIeon's decrees (Berlin and
Mlan) which followed the British Or.
ders in Council, also largely shared in
my indignant reprobation
The Administrations Of Mr.. Madison
4 and Mr.. Monroe, like that Of Mr.. JEFF
ferson, had in their respective periods
my humble but hearty appreciation, and
| have since censured nothing in either
but the sale Of part and the dsmant-
ling of the remainder Of our Navy; the
gun boat system Of defence that followed
and the indefinite embargo, which, Grip
ping US for war, by destroying our
commerce and finances, nud depressing
agriculture, was long continued without
redressing one outrage from abroad.
give this little sketch Of the growth
Ofparty feelings or opinons-unimpor
tant, perhaps, except 10 myself and G
few partial friends--tO show that, #
have never been a Fedcraisi, in any
party sense Of The term, so neither have
been jacobin, an imprdcti5able, ol
abstractionist, in any sense whatever
but always an old fashioned republican
devoted 10 The support Of law and order
Democratic Whig, Just as oil my fami
ly had been Wings in the great strug
gIe for national freedom and indepen
depce.
The Judiciary, From an early ant
long continued study Of elementary law
INV mind has ever been imbued wptl
deep reverence for the Bench, Stale ant
Federa-an independent department
in our system Of Government, 4. which
holding neithe: the purse to corrup
nor the sword to terrIy, addresses it
self only, with the mild force of persua
sive reason. to the Intelligence and vir-
tue OF the whole community by DhC
Federal Constitution every possible
safeguard is provided TO shield It's Judi
ciary against Aeeing prejudice, politico
Vancor, and party dependence, 10 whicI
legislators and the Executive are una.
voidably. directly, and constantly ex
posed. Hence "lo the one Suprem
Court" is wisely extended, by "appel
late iurisdclion,' "alI cases, IN law an
equity, arising under this Constitution
the laws Of the United States, and trea
ties made, or which shall be made, un
der their authority"
Looking 10 HE express provision,
have always held that when doubtp
question, arising under the Consliturio
itself, the supreme law Of the land. un
der an oct of Congress or a treaty, hO
once been soemny AdjUdicared by rhr
court, the principle Of The decision ougl
to he taken by ali as definitely seltlec
unless indeed, it bo upon re hraro
before the same tribunal. This appoar
TO me too clear for dsputnlion; for h
court is not only declared 10 be Spprcm
and hence there can be no bench beyun
it; but 10 Congress is only given III
power to constitute inferior tribunals -
BY appeals to the Supreme Court, Sc
lIemcnl was intended to he reached, an
anarchy, through long distraction