Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-07-23
Executive Influence.


pie, is one Of the most alarming signs Of the
times. lf there be any one feature of the ieder-
al Constitution, which. more than another, in
duced some Of the abest and purest of the re-
evolutionary statesmen and patriots strenuously TO
oppose its adoption, it that in reference to the
Executive department. We need only recur to
the Debates in the Virginia Convention to perceive
the extreme jealousy with which this provision of
The Constitution regarded, and the serious
apprehensions at that time entertained that the
Executive, few and limited as his powers seemed
10 be, would ultimately, by the corrupt use Of its
constantly accommodating patronage, exert a con-
trolling influence upon the action of the Legisla-
tive department. These apprehensions have been
more than realized The history of the last fiE
teen years furnishes than striking evil
dence of the power of the President to bend Con-
gross 10 his will, and to fatigue them into COM
pIiance. " The Sub-Treasury Bill, for example,
Ito mention no other,) frequently rejected, was
pertinaciously forced upon the consideration of
that body, until, after struggle unparalleled for
its violence, Congress yielded slow and reluc-
tant assent TO the behest of the Executive. But
recent occurrences at Washington still more con-
clusivey demonstrate the tendency of our system
10 degenerate into the government Of ONE NAN
not by n revolution IN its forms--for that would |
be too bold an attempt--but by corrupt of |
the patronage with which he is clothed, and by
which the representatives of the people con- |
yered into the obedient creatures of bis will
This, we aware, is grave charge, and ought
not TO be inconsiderately or lightly made. Nor
is 1t; for, independently Of the irresistible infer
cnce which forces itself upon the minds of all I'M
preiudiced observers Of the proceedings of Con-
gress, al the present session. that threats and pro.
misses have been successfully addressed to men,
bers, in order to enable the Administration, by
the purposed absence of some of them at critical
moments, and by the direct cooperation of others,
TO carry through measures with which it has
thought proper to identify itself,-we say, in ad.
dition TO this strong presumptve evidence, direct
charges made of dctiue Executive electioneer-
ing, which, unless they be refuted must convince
even the sceptical that the time has arrived when
all patriotic men, of all parties, should unite in the
effort TO vindcate the independence and purity OF
the Legislative department, and to restrain the
Executive within the narrow orbit marked out for
il by the trainers Of the Constitution.
We have spoken of the inferentia testimony
sustaining the allegation Of the use of corrupt
means n influence the course of certain members
of Congress. Need we refer TO the quickly ar
rested BrinkerhOfi emeuie on the Tariff bill-or to
the variable action of the House of Representa-
tivcs upon the Land Graduation Bl-which
rejected by decisive majority, and the mo-
mcnt was afterwards reconside rcd-was again viz
1uay rejected, and again recOnsdered, and final-
~ passed by the refusal of some of its opponents
present at the moment to vote at all, and by the
IN its favor If others who had in tbo fret,
stance voted against it? How is this contradic.
tory course to be explained except upon the as
SUMPTION fortified it is by the presence in the
House, pending these exciting scenes, of every
member of the Cabinet except Judge Mason,
each Of whom was buSily engaged with doubtful
members, that a sufficient number of them were
induced not 10 vote at all, or to vote for the bill,
by the persuasive arguments addressed TO them by
the neutrality-suspicious., we have a right 10
suppose, of a very different character, since they
proved more influential, than those which they
had been accustomed to hear in debate The re-
cent attempt, too of Senator Sempe TO abscond
IN order to avoid vote the Tariff bill. and
his ludicrOus recapture is not without its sgnifi-
cameo. The Washington correspondent Of the
Charleston Mercury, writing the 18th instant
thus describes his flight and arrest, and hints at
the means resorted to for the purpose of inducing
hun to stick to his post:
'In my letter yesterday stated that the Tariff Bill w.s
danger from tue absence Of Mr.. Semple Of Illinois who
had left the city with the intention of nOteiurnng to take
his again in the senate audi therefore INDUCED in some
unpleasant untcpauOns and reflections find that was
n ue ~ advance Of the mail. Mr.. Sempe has not left
NY Information was certain that be had tsken bjs place
cars butt learn this morning that he was induced
utmost indeed quite. by Orceto leave the cars when
on the point OF departure from the depot, and close
deed that his baggage went Baltimore and he has
besn prevailed upon alter his previously expressed deter
naon ond to remain IN the city aud for the bill be
fore the Senate. The danger therefore which menaeed the
bull from his absence 10 removed. or the reasons
which induced Mr. Semp.e declare his intention OF e,v
ing and gong close u putting II execution and
those which have induced him change he determination
and remain, shall not ut present speak. may On a IA
occasion. Iii pretty generally surmissd that IL wa
"a strike" on bis part, a Ia BTinksrhof"
But the Washington correspondent Of the Phila
dephia North American, (whOse statements we
always quote with confidence, because when dis
puled, he invariably proves them TO be true)
goes much farther. He makes positive charge
Of direct attempts on the part Of the members of
the Executive TO influence the votes Of members
Of Congress. THIS charge deserves the serious At
tentOn Of the country. " IL be unGundsd IL
ought 10 be promptly contfadicted but IT, a. We
believe, It be true, il shows a depth Of corruption.
and boldncss IN IT. exhibition, unparalleled in
the history Of the country, and we'll calculated to
awaken the approximations Of every patriotic mind.
For, II the representatives. Of tho people are thus
Ia be bought up, or induced by any other sort Of
influence cxerled by the Executive, to prove faith
less 10 the constituent body, the elective system
itself will prove a curse rather than a blessing.
Toe writer remarks
The motive which induced the presence Of the Who'll.
Cauinet, with exception pending e passage Of IN.
Land y 70 has heretofore been subject of inference,
Dow be- demonstrated that this hghhaudod proceeding
nlI hhgrant violation Of proprey and wanton prostitution
~ public station, not only sanctioned by tho President
haol but executed under be- immediate direction saw
sg,in. i be proved and established upon Mr. Pok
with iun knowedgo ct a the responsibility that attends
che Declaration. and with the Of maintaining g. II ever
questioned w sucha manner 70 call forth wndcat on
% Monday last apparent unless n the rofrac-
tniy spiHs over. the Graduation bill would be