The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-05

States, to draw imaginary distinctions between
American citizens.
so much for the duties attaching to the Elk
ecutye but we would 90 further and ask
whether there be not also duties thai
attach not only TO those who are invest
ed with the confirming power, but TO every
honest man and good ctizen2 1t may be very
convenient to shift responsibility, and TO place
at the door of the Executive Administration
any odium that may arise, but is such course
fair or just2 The trainers of our noble Con
siitution, whilst they gave to the President the
power Of nominating, also gave TO the Senate
that of confirming or rejecting his nomina-
tions, power the exercise of which has been
most earnestly invoked by Mr.. Tyler, and that
too, at time, when the invocation was mali
ciousy construed into desire that certain
nominations might be rejected. If then inquiry
is TO be made, does il not devolve on the Senate
to examine the claims of nominees, more espe-
cially as il is to be presumed that ffy-tpo in
teHigent add upright men acting Nth refe-
renee to single candidate arould hare an in
fnitely better opportunity Of ascertaining the
truth than one or eren sir could possibly hare,
where there are sometimes hundreds of appl-
cants concerned. Such being the case, we say
that is just as much the business of Senator'S
10 look TO The fitness Of men dominated, as it Is
that Of the President to examine into the
qualifications Of applicants, and that where
bad appointments are made, they are entitled
to their full share of any odium which may at
tach.
There is another and most powerful reason
why the Senate should participate in the re-
sponsibilty belonging to appointments
Owing to causes already known to the public,
and worthy of its most deliberate and serious con-
sldcraton, certain Senators and members of the
Rouse OF Representatives lohO call themselves
Whigs, have thought proper not only to abuse
the President but in the fulness Of their wrath,
to withdraw themselves from, all political COM
anunion NTH him. Now we say that, howeper
gratifying this induigenceo Of spleen mag hare
been TO the honorable gentlemen concerned, it
amounted to- gross abandonment of the duty
which they owe to their constituents and the
country al large, for which they should be held
responsible by the People. These gentlemen
were sent here to represent the party to which
they belong as constituting majority Of the
voters of their districts respectively, and it is
their solemn and Imperative dutyto see that
the Republic shall sustain no injury, as well in
the matter OF appointments as that of legsla-
ton. With what show of propfiety, we would
ask, do these gentlemen shift from themselves
and cast blame elsewhere, when
they withhold their presence and their counsel
from the Executve2 Admitting, for the sake
of the argument, that bad appointments are
made, hop can these gentlemen com
PLAIN, u, IN The absence Of their adrice,
the President is wiiling to take that
Of other men, who have patriotism enough to
make them do their duty to their country bv
afording the best lights that they possess, in
accordance with their particular political senti-
ments. The President of the United States.
as such, can and should kno1r no difference be-
taceen american citizens, be they members of
Congress or prirate Individuals, and however
proper and desirable il may be that those en-
gagged in the public service shall be the friends
Of the policy which he deems best for the coun-
try other things being equal, he has no right to
reject applications backed by high intelligence
and moral worth. Without intending to med
die ourselves with the concerns of politicians
who, By The Indulgence Of personal pique, vo-
unfairly deprive their constituents of the weight
of their influence with those invested with the
ROVER, they should be held account
able By those constituents for the injustice thus
inflicted upon them. Are gentlemen to come
here, and, notcontented nth attacking and dis
paraging coordinate branch Of the Govern
ment to stand aoof with folded arms, aohilst
their constituents are deprived of The share of
benefits to achich they are justly entitled, mere
ly for the qualification of their personal pique
BY what right do members Of Congress assume
the rightto abandon the privileges conferred by
their commissions and their elevated position,
when, in so doing, they injwe the public SER
uice 2 And aohere did they learn that to IN
suit and TO degrade mere the reaciest means
by 1ohich to ensure just consideration and re-
spect? The PRESIDENT will respect those
who respect his station, and looking TO the best
aid at command, will continue to devote him
self to the good of the COUNTRY, and the
WHOLE COUNTRY
LORD ASHBURTON'S ARRIVAI-IIIS MIS-
SION.
Lord Ashburton arrived at Annapolis in the
Warspite on Sunday. His suite proceeded di-
rectly to this city, and his Lordship's arrival at
the Capitol may be expected Immediately. In
asmuch as fears had been entertained of the