The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-21
Communications.
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN.

Hoh ihb MhDlSONiAN.
Mr.. ALLEN:
Your remarks lately made in consecutive numbers
Of The Madisonian, the UNITY Of the Executive
might, as think with great propriety, and should
hope with good effect be carried out to the entire scope
Of their practical bearing
What does the Executive of these United States
comprehend Doubtless, every Executive officer
who holds his commission under the President This
position cannot be denied.
The heads of Departments at Washington are no
more constitutional advisers of the President than pri
vate citizens and il is perfectly mmateria SO far as
constitutional duty Is concerned, whether he honors one
or more Of them with his confidence for such
purposes-whether he consults them part of his
official duty or none at all The Cabinet is not
constitutional corporation but body or association
formed and used at the will Of the President, more or
less in number, as he wills 10 be composed Of whom
ne Wills OF persons in Office Out Of Office, as he
may think best; or he may have no Cabinet at all 1t
IL the creation OF custom simply not of law. The
number of the Presidents advisers has been gradually
increased. General Jackson believe added two be-
yond former usage.
ms statement If correct, may serve to show what
effect difference of opinion in Cabinet on this
that or another question measure, necessarily has
on the tenure of their respective Offices if they hap
pen to hold Office as is usual am unable 10 see
that any consequence regarding their tenure Of office
necessarily results from such differences whether thew
be important or rlfing The President may use their
advice, or not, SO far as constitutional obligation is
concerned except Perhaps that he is bound to respect
the opinions of the Attorney General within the APP
proprlate range of his official functions.
Your remarks, however, have no little force as re-
CARDS the Importance of substantial agreement of
opinion between the agents Of the Executive and the
Executive himself Otherwise they cannot be ex-
pected to carry out his will They are one with him
throughout the land and the remotest office-holder
under the President, is doubtless as much part of
the Executive, as the President himself Every Ex-
ecutve officer in the country arm of his power
and will.
AS the Presidents advisers are usually selected
from among the Heads Of Departments at Washing
ton, IT is doubtless important that they should
harmonse with him, as far usually can, than
in the case Of other ofce-hoders but perfect and
exact harmony in all things, is neither necessary nor
possible II IS not necessary, because the President
IS not obliged to take their advice be governed by
their vote.
Doubtless the Wings of the country who brought
The present Administration into power, would be will
ing not to say giad your doctrine carried out
IN all departments of the Executive to an unrea-
sonabe and unfair extent but as to secure otera-
ole UNITY in the structure and toierabe harmony Of
opinion in all its parts.
only proposed TO suggest, what will undoubtedly
be conceded, that the Executive Of the United States
is not confined TO the President to the President
and his Cabinet but that il compartments every Execu-
tive officer in the Union Consequently, that the
doctrine ayowed by you, is applicable to all these
parts