Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-09-03

overturned the Supreme Court, the consul
t%utional organ, for putting this question tor-
crcr at rest? Gen. Jackson, who knew no
law, but that of force, and his w will, and
who gloried in expounding the constitution,
" as he understood it," 1t is true, had the
intrcpidity in 1888, TO assert that this was
then an unsettled question. Though he was
backed up, in his obstinate determination,
" to crush the MONSTER" by a hireling press,
which poured out its venom and scurrility
without stint or measure, and by a set Of
timc-serving, twadllcing politicians (; whose
only merit consisted in their strength Of lungs
to re-itcratc the sound "down with the
bank" still tho sober sense of the nation,
knew that this mighty uproar was for politi-
cal effect. Though the popularity of Gen.
Jackson was such, for the time being, as to
enable him 10 ride, rough sl,od over legisla-
tice and practical preccdcnts ! and set at
defiance the solemn adiudications of the STU
preme Court, as idle chaif; yet blessed be
God, tho charm has been broken, and the
people have again been restored to their
mind. You, sir, was elected to the Office of
Vice-Prcsidont of this nation by an unprece-
dcnted majority Of the people, who had been
ground down TO the dust by the experiment
ting, and destructive measures of the Fed
cral Government, and who became clamorous
for a change. They sighed to return to the
good old beaten paths, of their forefathers
and their signs were borne upon every
breeze. A voice, which could not be read
by all men had gone forth demanding the
restoration of a sonud, uniform, national
currency, released from the guardianship of
the political empiricks of the last twelve
years; who took her when in health, and
fully grown, but have doctored her, even
unto death. This voice has been re-cchocd
from the Capitol to the Halls of the White
House. Why, all why, have you closed
! the door, turned a deaf car, and refused the
instructions of that voice? What, though
J you have differed from the Instructions of
this ceicc, in your youth, and in your man
, hood, in the Legislature of your native
State, in the House of Representatives, and
the Senate chamber of the United States,
in popular assemblies, and if you please,
upon the stump? Do you not believe in the
| doctrine of instruction? Have you not
h heard the mighty voice of the people, pro-
G claiming up and dozen the wholc land sour
mW be donc." Not so, with the ilIustrious
Madison. His prirate opinion, yielded to
G precedent. Had you, sir, more pcrtinacity
and pride of opinion, and less magnanimity
than he? Had you no respect for the opinion
of your predecessors : None for deliberate
and solemn precedent Arc you welded to
q that miserable doctrine, that you must con.
. strue the constitution, 81 as you undertand
it. =" When you succeeded to the Presid.
ency; were you not bound to carry out the
views of the people as General Harrison
y would have dono, or resign? Do you be.
lieve you would have been elevated to you
" present station, had the people been appriz.
& ed of the course, you would have taken
but on this one important measure : Have
you not, in refusing to yield your indicidua
n opinion of the force of precedent, under the
shaHow pretence, that the question wa.
unsettled, done dishonor to your name : Ant
u docs this act deserve, and do you not expec
itIwill receive the aMathcmas of an ~insultet
and indignant people! 1t is true, sir, yol
arc, as you say, sworn :" 10 preserve, pro
), tect and DEFEND" the constitution. Blu
how 7 AS you understand it2 The question
>, is, what is the constitution in this particu
lar ? Prccedents, are the highest evidence
of which the subject is susceptible /; ant
T., these are to be adhered 10 unless upoI
the most cogent reason, and upon the mos
i clever manifestation Of word. Else " tn
country, as it has been,' will continue t
~ be deeply agltated )" and we left in a per
picking uncertainty. The doctrine of " star
:. decisis" is not to be trodden under foo,
crcn by the politician, with immunity. Ha
you approved the bill, sir, you would hav
retained all claim to respect of honor
;, able men; and all confidence on the part c
- the people," How it could have been de
=. trimental "to your self respect" or ovin
- ced a disregard to moral and religious obi
> g%ation," is more than people can under
> stand. Then, sir, though you were rigI
nc in your views in regard to the effect of til
I" compromise article, as it is termed and til;
IS, 1t does in fact assert the power to be in Con
n gress TO establish Offices of discount in
g. State, not only without its assent, b,
re against its dissent still this is no reason fc
a a reto, on constitutional grounds. So, dl
he the charters of l70l and 1916. The pee
re pie, sir, hate, the veto poper. That the
voice, clearly, solemnly, and deliberately e,
: pressed, should be trodden in the dust, b
'" one man, savours too much of the despotisl
Is of the old world. l trust, you will rcyoly
tbiS c,Iiact nuain in ,,o,,. o,,> -..l Il