Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-08-18
THE RIGHT SPIRIT.

The annexed letters addressed to members Of
Congress are published in the Na,ionll Intelli-
gencer:
Extract Of Letter from Gentleman Of high Standing
residing in hs iafsrior Of oio, 10 Msm5er Of Con-
gress dated August, 1872:
al am every day becoming moro and more salts
fed Of the mpolcy, nay, the ineXcusable SIM OF the
majority in Congress yielding to Executive dicta
ton. am not Inaccessible 10 the evils which will re-
cult from the continued existence OF an empty Trea-
sufy. But great as these evils are they are in my
estimation. infinitely less than those which would
grow out OF a tame submission TO the one man pow
eL"
The Parliament Of England have frequently re.
sorted to the expedlent Of Withholding supplies in
order to prevent the eneToachment OF arbitrary
power and preserve their own Independence. By
these means tho liberties Of that nation have bee
preserved, and the time believe has arrived when
resort TO similar means is necessary TO preserve
our Constitution from violation and TO prevent the
concentration Of absolute power in the hands Of the
President.
There are evil spirits, say tie Scriptures which
can only he expelled by "fisting and prayer" ard,
being des;endan, from the Puritnns who prac,ised
these virtues with much success IN the early his
tory of NV England, have great confidence in
their efficacy. | would allow the President and his
advisers 10 last until they come 10 their senses and
learn little humility. Its true, they may not fec
in praying mood just now; but think years
fasting would beget sincere disposition TO pray in
a much more humb'c and devout manner than lhey
have been in the habit Of doing OF late
"By fasting and prayer think at least two devils
would be driven out-Fclf con ceit and dictaton.
ali, indeed, VIC have arrived at that stage in the
administration Of our Government when the Presi-
dent can say TO Congress, Il must have so much
money, and you must raise II from such objects Is
shall point out aud in the way shall dictate we
have reached q condition little better than that of
absolute despo ian; worse Tar worse than that OF O
limited monarchy; and that part OF the Constitution
which declares that revenue Bills shall originate in
the House Of Representatives has become n nulIiy,
and Congress itself is worse than useless.
III we would remain free, the first encroachmenI
Of power must be resisted. Present consequences
must not be permitted to stand in the way Of the
adoption Of measures necessary TO secure the uti.
mate welfare and Independence OF the People.
am therefore clearly OF opinion that the majority
should remain firm in their determination TO resist
Executive dctaton. The Administration should
be supplied with money in such way as Congress
may think proper to prescribe, or they should not
be supplied at all"
ESf-aeiIron a Hitter 10 Number Of Congress from ~ 70
yo'k from one Of HE constituents dsepy INTERESTED IN
The success Of HaHHJeciHres, before me tasir efo)
Well, you ore not making much progress in tho
matter Of the tariff. In my opinion the People are
looking on with more GOODNESS than heretofore. But
a little time since ard oil was impotence; but now
the ve'o Of the little tariff" spirit Of ress.
lance IS man ieSung Nset. Even mere, among
nufaciures, suffering daily in their business there ID
"s,ill small voice" bubblng up from lower pth
which says a Tariff may cost too much. To speak
plainly. the veto was unexpected, and we are moi
disposed To feel satisfied with the author or his req
sons. Sill there ore some who ask, will not Con.
gress pass bill without distribution For one,
hope not. II ever Congress bows 10 the will Of q
President strikes lie flag, and egisates at the 800
Of the throne" hope IL will not be Wing Con-
gress. This veto power is a monster connected
with tho horesy, no longer concealed that the Exc
cutive is branch Of the legislative power Of III,
country. II must DO put down. Why, sir, ~,
power 70 make laws and then TO execute these laws
aud olso TO eonstrue and pronounce upon their con
stitutionsty, IS not 10 be endured-it must be re-
sisted, corrected, or wo have only "a namo 10 liy,
while We are dead." / am, however, wastins
words You have, no doubt, weighed these mat
tefs, and heard them discussed by cable men viii
sad hearls," for believe there 10 still tho patrio
heart beating 10 many bosom; and no warnin!
voice, ] am sure, will be wanting, and, II need be
a nation will DO reused TO q sense Of her danger.
am not afraid that John Tyler Is 10 be the usurpe
OF our libeuies but have noticed for long Tim
the graspngs OF the Federa. Executive, and II il
not met ~ iniHe-and the majority Of tho tw
Houses have tho power ultimately 10 veto the Tx
eco,ive-alwsys providing with proper time for 70
/ 1sciion and with proper guaranties-our Consiitu
ton is not worth "as much trash as can be gfaspe
i thus.D