The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-10-25
Letter from John C. Spencer.

we nave received the following letter, writ
ten by the Hon. John C. Spencer, in relation to
President Tyler's course, and addressed to a COM
mittee IN Western New York. His position is now
dehned-a Tyler man out-and-oat -
New YoRK, October, 10, 1912.
OLNILEMES-i nave received your communication OF
the 4lh instant inviting to extend my Journey into
Western New forX-a region hallowed in my ahecuons
to give an explanation OF the OF admnistra
tion and an exposition It's policy ana to remove mis-.
apprehension or reference TO my own
position. Whea consider state oil the public press
one portion VI employ In continual assaults upon
the President aa many olthe aJmnsta
on and the other portion rendering equvoca defence OF
some oil those measures only and cGndemning others,
cannot be surprised that you and your Intelligent fellow
citizens should desire other and means OF norma
ton to enable them to form IMPARTIAL Judgment, am
not aware OF any rule Of Official duly fOibids
pance with your request but contrary seems 10
me congnai 10 the spirit OF our institutions that
whom the powers OF government entrusted should
all proper occasions and can be done without in
terterence with official Obligations be willing TO give an
Oh .ae OF 'her trust to those who ask
in the spirit oil TAR Inquiry. Although would give
the greatest pleasure to crafty you and myself by per-
sonal VISIT Tor the purpose indicated by you yet duties
at the seat OF government iorod absence
as would be required to perform journey of extent
shall endeavor therefore to comply with the substance
of your wishes by written instead of personal COM
muaication; which, trust will be nearly, ii quite as
acceptable.
Tue policy of the administration is indicated by the
measures which the President has adopted when the
er rested with him, has recommended Con sress hen
Legislation was necessary It's general and aim have
othe whole country. He takes these he finds
them secured ami protected the Constitution and
and his greatest pleasure consists in his greatest duty
uphold and maintain that constitution delivered
to by our fathers and to laws in their fair
and full force and spirit.
The the Administration oPresident TYLER can.
not be understood without aiverng the history OF its
commencement. BY a dspensation OF Provdeuce which
plunged the whole nation grief the ndivd who had
been chosen for the Vice Presidency, succeeded
Presidency. The disappointment which such an event
would naturally produce in the minds the party VINO
had liked their hopes and expectations another
arrangement of the schemes and combinations which had
been formed Tor different contingency and it may be-
the want OF that confidential intercourse and
consultation with the leaders of the party which would
necessarily exist with the antic pated Chef ,trate
placed the Vice President in peculiar try ing
situation Not having Zen the lea Ter during tn contest
he could not be said to be the head oil
party that had attained power That post was vacant
As mean to abstain from any mere partisan reflections,
iorbear to enumerate the actual political of
such state OF things They are doubtless familiar
you.
But the fact that the actual President was without an
organized party in Congress, was as extraordinary as it
1t was the 6rst time in history OPP
portunity had been presented test the strength Of
institutions and ascertain whether the country could be
governed simply by means OF the powers conferred by
the Constitution and the laws whether the adventurous
aid Of Presidential party in Congress necessary
carry the government successfully President Tyler
has been compelled to try that experiment. The
portentous consequences depend upon the result II
iais then will be deemed settled for all future time,
that whoever succeeds TO the Presidency in auy
modes prescribed by the Constitution other than direct
eiecton by the PEOPLE, must make terms with other
othe parties in ngress and probably with that which
at the time has the majority. Thus Congress will in fact
govern the country, by union OF the Legislative and
Executive powers. The system which was tried under
the Confederation, and universally condemned, will
be revived and like powers will be exercised by Con-
gress in form the more dangerous, because will be in
direct and irresp onsDle. need not pursue the
considerations which this topic suggests Disorder and
anarchy must follow the obstruction OF any OF the i'm
portant balances and checks of the Constitution and
we would avoid the horrors which have esew here at
tended the abolition Of the Executive power must
endeavor to preserve here IN the last citadel Of free
dom.
Such the difficulties of his position when the Pre-
siden assumed the administration Of the government
Reared the feet Of Jefferson and Madison strict
est principles VI the republican faith those principles had
become portion of himself and he could no more depart
IRON them than he could sew himself from his moral
turc.
When selected candidate by the party that elected
him. no other pledge vas expected asked than such
his Whole public life Afforded The party composed
OF men Of various creeds many points, but pro-
Tossing the repubcanism oil Jefferson believed
constituted very considerable portion il not majority.
When therefore ne met the representatives OF the people
in Congress- he had right to suppose that admnsra
ton conducted upon his well principles would
least receive lair and just If not ardent support He
soon called to bring those principles into action Among
them, and one Of the most cherished den al OF the
constitutional power Congress to national
bank. He admitted its authority local legislature
establish bank in the District of Columbia, and he
coded that such oank would the authority
send agencies and branches into the several States which
the Supreme Court had decided appertaned State in
stitution; that's with the assent express implied of
those states This view distinctly presented in the
bill submitted by the then Secretary OF the Treasury, Mr..
Ewing the request OF the Senate maintained the
President in all his communications and particularly and
specially noted by him amendment bill submit
ted TO his consideration by member of Congress during
the discussion of the matter.
do deem the occasion ht to enter into an ex.
animation Of the various statements and
that have arisen this subject The foregoing explain
alton of the immediate occasion of the open outbreak
which ensued between the President and the greater
portion OF the Representatives in Congress ofhe party
that elected him. is deemed sufficient But should do
injustice to my feelings if did not express the deep
conviction produced in my mind from thorough inves
gation oil the subject and from having become familiar
with the statements OF all parties that there of
mistake and Misrepresentation between those who were
honestly willing to understand each other of &C.
cidenta and more Of of the
language of the President in the various conversations
held with him; and that throughout he manifested sin.
honest and steadst adherence to the great cons
uonsl objection which he had for years repeatedly in
public and in private, announced fundamental article
Of his political creed Nor permit myssfto doubt
that similar frankness had been exhibited by Others
spirit ofpeace and harmony had prevailed and il small
portion OF the beraty and forbears for dissenting
views and opinions, which the wings claimed the
attribute Of the party had been exercised towards the
President the violent scenes we have with ssed and
which have scandalized ee not have
occurred and the relations between the President and
the representatives who had been elected the
ticket with him, would have been such to produce
peaceful vigorous, and successful administration of the
government and accomplish all that the interests Of the
country required.
In proof Of the absence of all selfish interested or am
bilious motives the part of the President in the
which his convictions Of duty prompted may now adj
vert to fact long known to me- which has been promul
gated in the newspapers If the day. vouched for by at
least wing editor stated by Representative in Con-
gress from Massachusetts, in speech lately delivered at
Newburyport upon authority and hitherto not denied
That fact u.s. that previous to returning the second Bank
bill to Congress with his objections in full view Of the
saults be made upon him, and with the purpose of
moving all Of agitation well himself
against unjust mpuatons the President submitted his
then Cabinet whether he snould in the message then
aboutto be transmitted to Congress, announce resolution
to retire from public life at the expiration OF the existing
term and that against his doing all the members Of
the Cabinet then present. protested the ground that
such annunceton would not have the effect produce
peace quiet, but would only change the direction of
faction that had right to expect such step from
him. he had not been elected President and obliga
ton existed that should nerpose any barrier between
him and direct vote of the People.
In connection and ye. in contrast with the preceding