Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-07-18
BRINGING LEGISLATORS MIRO LINE.

neral while one of the favorte Executive bills
was passing for the third or fourth time through
series of sharply-contested and shifting votes.
Whatever the cause of such very unusual minis
terial attendance-and no matter what the motive
which gave such an air of activity to tive are
compelled to say that such things should be avoid
ed, looking they do exceedingly i'll. Under the
British monarchy, the chief servants of the Crown
las the Ministry are called) are permitted to hold
seats in Parliament: but our Constitution was drawn
up in an extreme jealousy Of all Executive influence
or interference in the Legislative deliberations and
public umbrage scarcely fail to be taken at any
thing that incurs the suspicion of being an attempt
directly to bring the power of another branch of the
Government to bear on the votes of Representatives
Through party, through patronage, and all their
strong persuasions, influence enough can be exercis
ed in secret and without the indecency of commit
ting what many will consider, of course, an open
interference with the legislative independence. Such
appearances should, therefore, be carefully avoided
by wise Administration. Virtue itself must be
fenced with propriety and propriety, when virtue
is gone, serves somewhat to supply its place.
1t was, of course, not to be expected that, while
the Ministers of the Government were allowing
themselves SO unguardedly to seem-we trust in
the innocence of their hearts-to be interfer-
ing in the votes of the House of Representatives,
/ the government editor should, in his well known
simplicity, be more on his watch against like
breaches Of decorum. And accordingly the Union
of yesterday presents u.s. as to the very same mat
ter sort Of admonition to Congress, which means,
Of course. the Government party in that body such
as we must say is of very ill example. We extract
\ it entire:
WASHINGTON "uSIoS" OF TUESDAY NIGHT.
"THE GnADuArIoS BrLL.-A bill was adopted by the
House of Representatives to-day for graduating the prices
the public lands. 1t passed by majority of After il
had reached the Senate referred the Committee
the Public Lands.
eve take for granted that this measure which has
strongly recommended by Presidents Jackson Van Buren,
and Polk cannot be lost by difference between the
two Houses about matters of detail They agree upon
the main principle the Is becoming statesmen
to suffer it to be lost because the Houses exactly
agree upon little difference in the details The time
may when shall be compelled investigate the rea
Of this proceeding if this great should unortu
nately be defeated But shall anticipate such result
We win not believe that any little difference in Details any
contention between rival projects any jealousy about
any desire distinction particular person.
any unworthy antpathy towards any distinguished individual
should leopard the fate Of IN which the whole Wes
is interested We appeal from private gefs, from political
feelings from all unworthy considerations from all
say contentious about details of measure the great
principles by which every patriot should be sctuated
interests Of the country. We will believe that such
great measure can be defeated"
Now, there is here not only objurgation but threat
and distinct intimaon OF all sorts Of corrupt pfr-
4 tba Of al
i The editor says that jealousy about men, favor
towards others, an unworthy antpathy towards
any distinguished individual" should not leopard
the measure !" and he "appeals from private griefs
from political feelings, from all unworthy conside-
rations." In a.word, he warns once more those oil
his own party whom his warning has reached be-
FORE for Of course, he is not addressing the Who's
Il in the name of General Jackson, Mr.. Van Buren,
and Mr.. Polk nor asking Who's to rally to De-
mocratic BILL when his party is two to one in the
House.
i Observe, too, the menace openly conveyed in the
following sentence The time may come when
we shall be compelled to investigate the reasons
Of this proceeding, II this great measure should
unfortunately be defeated Exposure of the
motives will follow, he plainly says.
Why are General Jackson and Mr.. Van Buren's
recommendations referred to Why, but as warn.
ings 10 the Legislature TO obey the Executive behest
And, although in the very to which the gov
eminent paper recurs, the Executive recommends
ton of such measure was negatived by nearly
two-thirds of the Legislature, yet that one-an OPT
Mon is mighty authority, and that repeated vote OF
SO large plurality of the law-making power is un-
| fr, 10
j These admirable examples Of the light in which
the Executive power is viewed by those now uphold
ing it, whether making wars or making laws. What
signifies the Presidents having " recommended ~
What would it signify to a British Parliament or a
French Chamber that Majesty had proposed mea-
sure Would that be an argument to them? And
does party give here to President weight for his
opinion or wishes which Royalty dares not expect
elsewhere Recommended - Why, General
JACKSON recommended" United States Govern
ment Bank, and Mr.. VAN buren, recommended
that we should not dishonor ourselves and get into
a war by annexing Texas A fig for such Execu-
tive arguments long as Congress shall not be the
mere shadow and phantasm of deberative body
A PAIR OF TWISTED sPECTACLEs,
! For the use Of Cross-eyed Politicians