Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-02-08

III POLITICAL MATTERS 1NGENERAL.--1 ne
state of the. roads, rendered impossible by the
excessive rains and swollen condition Of the
creeks, h as prevented our receiving any late
news either Gomour National OF State Legis-
lature.
The letters of the Correspondent of the
Charleston Courier furnish an account Of a
scene in the House of Representatives. which
Mr. Adams played conspicuous. and ridcu-
lous part. His passion for the presentation Of
petitions seems to have no bounds; after having
presenteda petition purporting to be from
number of citizens of Georgia praying for his
own dlsmission from chairman. ofForeign Re-
lations, to clap the climax Of absurdity, he in
PRODUCED petition Of Benjamin Emers on and
AZ ether siighners, inhabitants Of Haverhille,
Mass, for THE DISSOLUTION OF The. UNION.
The introduction of this petition produced
high degree enlightenment and Indignation in
the. House, and resulted in a motion by. Mr.
GiImer of Va. "That, in presenting to thecon 9
sideration OF this House a-Petitfon FOR. the dis
solution. of The Union, the member from Mas
sachusetts (Mr .Adams) had justly incurred
the censure of this House." After some. dis
cussionupon the rules OF the House as to the
admission of the resolution Mr.. Adams remar-
ked that he hoped. the resolution would be
received and be debated, and that he should
have the privilege of again addressing the
House in his own defence, especially as the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Gilmer) had
thought proper to play second fiddle to his col
league from Accomac (Mr. Wise.) Mr. Gilmer
retorted very happily and appropriately by say
ing he played second fiddle to no man. He
was no fiddler, but was endeavoring to prevent
the music Of him, who
sin the space OF our revolving moon
Was statesman, poet, fiddler and bnffoon.'
Our last mails afforded no accounts of the
progress ofthe bill for the repeal of the Bank
rupt law. The bill for its repeal was still be-
fore the Senate, and the impression seemed to
be that itwouId not pass that body. On the
9th uIt. Mr.. Clays joint resolutions limiting
th1 vetopower, restr C ing the presidency to one
term of service and changing the mode of APP
pointing the Secretary of the Treasury and
Treasurer, having been made the special order
of the day, he opened the debate by disclaim-
ing, that ne had been prompted TO his present
course by any recent occurrence, but he stated
IT, he had long since deliberated, upon these
subjects with the view Of propros ing amend |
nents ofthese defects, as he considered them !
IN cur constitution. He next gave cursory
sketch OF origin ofthe retO power, its introduce
ton INTO the monarchies of Europe from the
practice of the Roman Empire, the caution
with which it has been resorted to in the Rr;t i
.isl' Government, how it became transplanted IN
the colonial Governments, and its insertion in
10 our Federal, Constitution from the apprNhen-
son. which the members ofthe convention on.
'ertained OF the weakness of the Executive
power and its incompetence to defend itse,f
a5ainst the encroachinents of the Legislative
Department.
ne then proceeded to shew that this appre-
henson had proved groundless, and tina: there
mad been constant encroachment of the Ex
ecntEe upon the Legislative department oftbe
government That this had been experienced
IN The attack, which had been made upon
the treaty-rnaking power, in which. if wac
designed by the Constitution, that the Senate
should share with the Executive. but this con.
s'ruch on had becn abandoned and the P-esi-
lent now without a word of consultation with +
ne Senate, concludes treaty and promises,l
ioreIgn power its ratification, and after ali
MS IS done, ne submits the terms ofthe treaty,
that has been agreed on, to the Senate to be
ratified it. All win at once perceive the DIFF
erence between. rejecting what has already
seen actually dorelnd refusing TODD that ttino
{ asked beforehand
The next encroaehment which he noticed {
vas ti4at' which &C Cured in the dismissal from |
'fhce Of persons appointed by and with the con ,,
'ent OF the Senate, thus destroying all AGENCY !;
'nd cooperation ofthe Senate in such appoint Is
nents; as would be of little avail that tho I
senate should solemnly ratify and confirm an
appointment enc day, when it could be annnl
ed Oh The next day by the breath Of the Presi
ent. By the exercise of this power the off. p
e'S u .ne government were made the plant :
ools OF the Executive, and The most violent =
ncf'aehments had been made upon the now n
IS OF Congress. By this method Presi. 0
en' mad seized upon the treasury of the ma
on m the removal of the deposites, and thus !
hectealy consunmated the Union of the purse e
nd the Sword. 4,
lie then went on to shew that from the ma Il
'fe oil the.oftce, its extensive patronage, its :
'ns 'ant activity, and incessant vigilance, more II
as to be aPprehehded from the encroacbments 81
tne executive than from the Legislative de Il
III lnent efthe Governmental acton,sail lie, =,
as continuous aud unceasing, like the4ides of 4
me mighty river, which continued fowino Il
ID flowing on, swelling and deepening and 81
idenng IN its progress, til il swept away ey- d.
y fraiI obstacle, which might be set up to i'm y
de its course ~ ~
The judiciary had no reto, and, Of the arpu- IN
ent in regard to the legislative department de
the government were q sound one, why was.l W.
t the same protection extended 10 the Judi. 6 6s
airy also! tv
VI the twenty six States, nine of them gave fes
the executive the uelo power unless control
Dy two thirds ofthe Legislature, eight gave
reto unless controlled by second veto Of /
lJorlty,whilst the nine remaining. States ba5 pu,
rr,,I ~A