Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-06-03


and The Ieuoyal Of temporary obstruc Ions
IN cedain rivers, was finally overthro IN
under that OF Gen. jackson, by his cele-
brated MaysyiIle veto, and other acts of a
kindred Character {! would, with the
mss OF facts we have before US, all tend
ing to the same conclusion, be but a poor
conpllmenl TO the intelligence of the peo-
pie, to cnl lrge upon the benefits which the
country has derived from The overthrow of
this mschiegous and dangerous policy.
From the greater tendency Of legislation
by Congress, upon such subjects, TO what
is called log.roling, than that of the States,
II 10 quite certain that the two hundred
millions IF debt incurred by the latter for
these ana similar purposes, would have
been vastly enhanced, if such objects had
been IN ,craken by the Federal Govern
tnent. Indeed there can be but little fany
doubt,in The mndofany calm aud intelligent
observer that but for the Maysvilie veto,
and The subsequent adherence TO its prin-
cIpIes and policy, the General Govern
ment would at this moment have been sad.
died with a debt OF some three or four
hundred millions, without having even as
much to show for it as have the embarras.
Sed States. When our present cond .tion,
III these respects, is contrasted with what
II would have been under the grinding op-
preston OF such debt, and the corrupt
M anu destructive operation of a Nation
al Bank, we may form some idea of the
Advantages which the country has derived
from the exercise Of the Presidential veto.
The best effects have also followed its ex.
ercise in respect 10 lis influence upon pub
lie opinion. Although that policy has now
but lew ii any advocates, no one can have
forgotten how deeply the public mipd, IN
many parts of the country, was elected in
It's favor.
The necessary limits TO a communca-
ton Of this character, render it impossible
TO do justice u the various other aspects in
which this power may be use!ully employ
: ed in the adm nistra'ion Of the govern
ment. AS shield which my, in the ex
ercise OF a sound discretion, be thrown
over weaker drparlmen, of the govern.
ment or over the Interests OF less power
fl section Of he Union, when they are, in
he opinion Of the Executive, unIu>tIy in.
vsded, it may become Of The greatest i'm.
p ,riance. Political power, as 1t respects
dIhercnt portions # The repuJl c, is con-
stahtly changing hands, and n partlcul II
party Can count with safely upon its per.
peual exemption from The e:fe It's Of su.h
aItelnplilns. When the Federal Cons;i.
tuition Was adopted, Massachusetts and
Virginia were decidedly the most power
FIJI States in The coniederary. New York |
was elias ct among, and paltook o! the
fee ngS which were common to, the small
Stue,; ant the territory which now con-
situtes the western St0tes, was for the |
most part the abode Of savdges. Although |
still strong in the virtnc, spirit, enterprise,
in diligence and pltr;ousn OF their cli.
zens, and respect IDLE in al thiagS, It is |
well known that those venerable States |
have u ready, in numerical strength, tal!er
below me OF their contemporaries; AMI
the gre It west IT MT ALREADY, is destined
ION 10 Dec M, tho seat OF Federal Pow
err M portion OF the Union can there
fore as ne W.T. certlinty, that it may MT,
in the cuu',e of time and events, become
useu', /, HJt necessary to invoke the ex.
ectis1 of this slluary power, FIR the p. O.
Tee ION OF IS rights and intere. is.
The contrpl oftle Pres dent over the
ti>pensatIon Of Federal patronage, pre-.
nis SUBJECT far more deserving of the
watch III Vi Il ance Of The pc pie. ChIrg.
Ell by the constitution with The execution
IF the laws, il was altogether proper 10
Confer upon him an important share IN the |
selection Ut the agents through whose in
s;rlmentalHy that great duty is TO be per
tormei. The power which be possesses
in this resPe-t is also wisely restricted by
tae chccas upon it which are placed in |
Other branches Of the government, viz: in |
the Senate, by an absolute veto upon the
most imp ,rtant of MS selections, and in
each branch OF the legislature, by an
eq ialIy absolute negative upon the appro-
/ prialuS necessary to their cOmOensa-
/ ton 1t is nevertheless true, that this con-
tc0l over The Distribution ofpublIc patron.
age, is, ia lis Iendency, adverse to u pure
administrator OF the important trusts
whith the people have committed TO their
agents. Experience has shown that there
Is temptation in the possession Of this
power, TO its abuse, which cannot be eff
fectuly guarded against by human laws,
and against the influence OF which even
honest and patriotic men not unfrequenlIy
find It difficult to guard themselves. With
all The restraints imposed upon its exercise,
it may still be welded by the Executive to
inf renee widely the action OF bis assocl
ates in the public service, to secure and
, perpetuale his own authority, for the az
granliLement of his personal adherants
an q, to depress those who. though they
= nav nossess the StronUest claim unon tha