The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-07-25
Calhoun on the Protest.

There seems TO be (said Mr.. c.
great misconception in reference TO the real
motive and character of the legislative and
executive functions. The former is in lis
nature deliberatiye, and involves, necessari.
~, free discussion and full expression Of
opinion on oil subjects of public interest,"
The latter is essentially the pawer of exc.
cutting, and has no power Of delIberation
beyond ascertainlng the meaning of the law
and carrying its enactments into execution
aud even within this limited sphere, lis con.
siruciiou of lis powers are formed under
responsibility, not only to public opinion,
but also to the Legislative Department Of
the Government.
" But wherever the Executive is vested
with any portion of Legislative functions,
so essentially do those functions involve the
right Of elaboration, and full and free ex.
preston Of opinion, that they transfer with
them, TO the Executive, the right Of freely
expressing his opinions on all subjects con-
nected with such functions. Thus the Pre-.
sident Of the United States, who is vested
BY The Constitution with The right Of con-
mUnicailng to Congress information on the
state of the Union Of recommending to lis
consideration such measures as. in his opn
ion, the public interest may require 10 ap-
prove oil its acts and 10 railfy treaties,
which have received the consent Of the Sen.
ate; has, 10 the performance of all these
high legislative functions, q right 10 express
his opinion as TO The nature, and character,
aud consiIiuIonali,y Of all measures, IN the
consideration OF which may be involved the
performance Of these duues-a right which
the presen, Chief Magistrate has, on all
occasions, freely exercised, as we have wit
messed this session, both in his annual mes
sage and the one announcing bis veto OF
the land bill. In The former he pTonounc
ed the L. 5. Bank TO be uncoGsliiui0na
and has, OF course, according TO his owl
principle, Impeached the conduct Of Wash
lngton aud Madison, Qhe former Of whom
signed the charter Of the first bank, and the
latter Of the presently and al. Of the mem
bers OF both Houses Of Congress, who vo!eC
lor the &C! Of incorporating them.
" am mortified, (saId Mr.. c. that il
this country, boasiing Of It's Anglo Saxor
descent, that any one Of respectable stand
ing much less the Pteslden, OF the L. States
should be found TO entertain principles lead
ing TO such monsuous results and | car
scarcely believe my self to be breathing ih'
air OF our country, and to be within tht
walls OF this Senate chamber, when hea
such doctrines indicated. Ii Is proof O
the wonderful degeneracy Of the iimes--o
! total loss Of the true conceptions Of con
s,ilu!ional liberty. Be-, in the mlds, 0
this degeneracy, perceive the symptoms
Of regeneration. Ii is not my wish to loucl
On the party designations that have recent
y obtained. and which have been iniroduc
ed in the debate, on this occasion. |, how
ever, canno, but remark, that the reuirdl O
The party names of the rerolGtion, after the
had so long slumtcre9, is not teithou.
medHing--not without an indication OF
return TO those principles. which lie al ID
foundation of our liberty.
Gentlemen ought TO reflect that tn
extensive and sudden revival Of these names
could not be without some adequate cause
Names are not TO he taken at pleasure
there must be something 10 cause their 40
pIca.lon 10 adhere. Ii remember, rieh,
y, Il was Augustus, in all the plenilude o
his power, who SAID that be found il impos
slbe 10 introduce new word. What then
IS tina: something What il there IN the
meaning Of WIG and TORY, and Nha
m the character Of the times, which ha,
caused their sudden revival, as party desig
nations, at this time take II. that III,
1ery essence Of forytsm that uhich consti
fnte A IORi Is 10 sustain prerogaiigc a
gGind privilege, 10 support The erecutr,
against the legislature department of III,
GOreramenf, and 10 lean 10 he SIDE Of
Porrer against The side Of liberty whils
the WIG, is IN all these particulars, q
the Gerry opposite principles. These arc
tue leading characteristics of the resyeefiut
parties, why and tory, and run through
their application IN ali the variety of cir.
cumsiances m which they have been OBJ
piled, either in this country, or Great Bri.
tain. Their sudden revival aud application
az ms lme, ought 10 admonIsh nv old
friends, who are now on the side OF the Ad.
mnIsIatIon that there IS something IN the
timec -somelhing ia the existing struggle
between the parties, and in tho principles
and doctrines advocated by those in power
which has caused 50 sudden a revival, and
such extensive application Of the terms.
have not contributed TO their introduction,
nor nm DESTROYS of seeing them applied
but | must say to those, who are interested
that they should not be, that nothing bu,
their reversing their course can possibly
prevent their application. They owe it to
themseIges-lhey owe it 10 the Chef Mag
lsirate, whom they support, fwho, al least,
is venerable for his years. as the head of
their party that they should halt in their
support o the despotic and slavish doc.
trInes which we hear daily advanced. be-
fore return Of the regiying spirit Of Iiber.
ty shall overwhem them, with those who
are leading them, to their run.
g | cnn sprak (said NJ C,ILr,,r \ ,,L