The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-07

liz was established, and by the best expound
ers of the Constitution II has been constahuy
defended. rs needful check on, not only uncon,
sttutiona or usurping acts Of the two houses o.
Congress, but in general on all improper
gislation, whether improper by intrinsic 80
OF whatever sort, or by attendant nas'e - 'a'
ton. ran h;.h
And il there be any description OF bull when
more than any other requires mature cons'ueia-
lion. and when apparently unconstitutional JUS
titles the interpostion OF the suspensive power
~ The President. surely il is one which proposes
10 trust 10 private corporation jurisdiction over
the currency by an act irrepedfd6ie.
If to clear the way for Bank, or ior any
other object, this suspensiye power OF Tie IRE
sident over bills, this one-man power, is TO be
struck from the Constitution, why not go TO the
root of the matter at once. and strike from the
Constitution other parts Of the one-man power
which are at present among the functions Oh the
Executive
In fact, il is proposed in that document to 40
this for example, to give TO Congress Jurisuic-
ton over removals from office and admnistra-
ton of the Treasury.
Do this-take away the Veto, so as TO leave
the power of Congress unchecked, that IS abso-
lutte, for all liberty exists by means Of checks
on Observation-Disclosures TO il not only the law
making power, but the appointing power and
the money power--and where stand then the
liberties of The People Of the United States
Nominally, in the hands OF Congress; really,
in those Of an unchecked and unfenlpered par
tn majority Of Congress-nomlnally, in the
hands prescribed by the Constitution realty
in those of heated and despotic party caucus
--nomnally in the responsible hands OF the Sc
nate and House really, in the irresponsible
ones Of ONE MAN behind the scenes, welding
the Government through Congress, and Con-
gress through the caucus.
want no such Government. The dark sha-
dow of its threatened coming is enough for me.
Save the country from the despotism OF Con-
gress on the one hand, as well as from that OF
the Executive on the other, by continuing to
each the partition of powers as the Constitution
provides.
When and how did the scheme OF an ETecu-
tire Congress come 10 be the platform OF tie
Whigs2
These new articles of creed for the party
seem to me TO resemble the codics to the VIII
of Cue sar which Mark Anthony was continually
finding, or the additional chapters Of pretended
revelation which Mahomet was accustomed 10
produce-erpedienfs TO meet the emergency OF
J the hour.
The English Commonwealth tried the exper-
iment Of Government by legislative assemblies
balanced by no Executive check, and was glad
enough to escape from il into the arms OF the
milder despotism Of Oliver Cromwell.
The French Republic tried il, and after md
ing that its operation was to enable one party
chief after another, backed by clubs and eau
cuses. to exercise, irresponsible to law, such
bloody tyranny as the world never saw before,
was content to welcome instead the enthrone-
ment of Napoleon Bonaparte.
NV friends, etus devoutly thank God for the
happier Government he has given TO US, and,
discarding all these perilous novelties, the hot
bed growth Of temporary party passions, spring
ing up gourd- like in night to wilt and perish IN
the first sun-repudiating these new-iangled
whimseys, let us cling with fond affection to the
Constitution whose foundations were cemented
by the blood of our fathers, and which, in SO ma
nv vicissitudes of fortune, has proved to be the
ark of salvation to our blessed Union.
C. CUSHING.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 81, lS4l.