Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1844-03-20

send % thaS body! was ne, IN all ming:
concerning the administration of the
high Executive powers of this nation, q
passive tool therefore in their hands to
work with? Others have been appoint
ed by The college OF electors. Such is the
one who now prcsides over the destinies
of this nation. Those who appointed
him are still alive and what would MIR.
Tyler say to such formal body of ''in-
structions" as they might he pleased to
send to him? How wou'd he measure
the extent Of the obligation which rested
upon him TO obey those instructions ~
would not speak lightly, sir OH so
grave matter; but | much incline to
think that he would adopt the Hudibras-
tic rule, and leave such instructions to
bind those who made them.*
1t may not be proper, MIR. President,
that should dwell longer on this point.
1 have already delayed you long enough.
But | must take leave to say, that If it
had ever entered into the intentions of
the trainers of this Constitution of ours
to plant in The system they gave us this
''doctrine of instruction. this great mo-
tive power, they could hardly have fail
ed to have given j! ID conspicuous place
among its organic and elemental princi-
pies; they would have sought to make
it harmonic Y it'll the rest of their plan.
They would have imbeded, with the prin-
ciple itself, ITS own proper sanction, and
have pointed out with cearness in what
way and through what means effect
should be given to so cardinal principle.
These things they hare not done. But
they haze placed, midway and between
the dangers of popular effervescence on
the one side, and executive encroach-
ment on the other, this senate. And
they placed it there, that they might i'm.
part moderation and firmness to the Ma.
,ional policy, and stability and perpetui-
ty to our free institutions. They were
eminently good, far seeing, and sagacious
men their spirit pervades all parts of
their system. But press into that sys.
tenn this new doctrine--infuse it into
the Constitution of the senate, and let it
there exert its appropriate influence
and you defeat their great purposes you
destroy the most perfect of all human
rorkS.
And now, sir, few words on the sub
ject of the bill before you, and ] have
| done.
The honorable the Legislature of
Michigan Ito whom | owe all respect
and honor have passed at different times,
three several sets Of resolutions relative
to the fine impo sed on General Jackson
in 1915. Two of these SETS Of resolutions
are, believe, in the customary form and
resemble that stereotype edition of which
we nave seen so many here. The 9TH
er, the second of the series, contains
clause denouncing the judgement of the
court, in very unmeasured terms, as an
unjust sentence, and in another clause that
honorable body affirms "That any at.
tempt to insert IN such law las they de-
sire to have passed) any provisions CAL
culated Or Intended to impugn the con-
duct or motives of General Jackson on
the occasion alluded to, or to approve
of the course pursued by Judge Hall,
would be an insult to Justice and gross
Misrepresentation" &c. To the first of
these sets of resolutions 1 endeavored. in
Difference TO the wishes of those honora.
bic men who passed them, 10 give effect,
and in manner have already detailed
though it was not, as | have said, without
some misgivings on the point of duty
The amendment reported and recommen-
ded by your committee on the Judiciary,
and which lfnt!st regret that you have
now rejected, contained no imputaiion
upon the character or motives of Gener-
al jackson but it disavowed all intention
to condemn or pass upon the conduct or
motives of Judge Hall. 1t was, in short,
what the lawyers call "protestando"-
an exclusion of all conclusions {resuIting
from the terms of the bill, or the fact of
passing i) against the character, CON-
duct, or judgment of the eminent jurist.
and the eminently firm and upright Judge
who pronounced it. Now, sir, that a.
mendment being rejected, shall feel
myself constrained, as al present advised
to vote against this bill. And allow me
TO ask, on what ground do you place your
right to pass il?
Is it in the nature Of a pension, granted
for distinguished services rendered TO the
country? Adopt that principle, sir. and
apply it to others land will vote for it,
1 will no; be among the last of those who
may seek to prove that Republics are moi
al,UayS ungratelul. But gentlemen have
refused to suffer il to rest on that princi-
pie. Is it, then. pardon, sort of Iegis-
lative pardon, for an offence committed
against your laws? Sir, the Parliamen,
of Great Britain. in the omnipoiency Of
lis power, may grant pardon but can
~ An oath, Ills clear binds him who makes it,
And not the one who for convenience takes it.