Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-03-20

apparent nj this moment impending contest be-
tween the people and power in the old and establish
cd nation. ofthe world. The fight is TO be bold one
on both Sides an open, manly warfare, in which
the crown will contend for it's privileges, and the
people for their rights face to face. and upon a
fair field A struggle between the principles of
despotism and freedom, is also going in
own country, and we wish we could believe, with
the same prospect Of happy result as in Europe.
We would have no fears upon this head, if the
votaries of power would come ont manfully under
their true colors, and, with the black banner of
despotism flung to the winds, wage uudisguised
war with the champions Of repubcanism. But
they have awaited themselves Of the potent charm
of a name,-Democrdcyj they profess to be the
peculiar friends Of human rights they approach
the sovereign people with the same honied and
fattcring lips with which the courticrs of the old
world offer incense at the shrine of ROYALTY. In
the mean time, and we appeal TO the history Of
the past for the proof there has been constant
encroachment of Executive power upon the other
departments of the Government The advocates
of those encroachments have ever been the De-
mocratic party, while those who have resisted
them at every step, and contcnded for the suprc.
macy of the people, have been denounced as fe-
deralists and tories.
To give the reader illustration OF Modern
Democracy, we make the following extract from an
article which We find in the Washington Times
transferred to that paper from the Ohio States.
man, and which 'the Times" warmly recon-
mends. The remarks of ''the Statesman" are
based upon a letter which the Editor had receiv.
ed, averriug that if England again proposed 40.
Mr.. Polk would submit that compromise to the
Senate that three fourfhS Of the Senate would
advise him to accept, and that in that event, "he
would be compelled to accept it," The Estates.
man" says:
at is assumed by the writer OF the above letter that
Congress is in favor Of settling the Oregon dispute by
adopting the 49h parallel the boundary line and that
such is the fact, the administration has alternative but
follow the thus Indicated by the national legsa
may be true, that large minority in each branch
OF Congress, s in favor OF compromising the 1871 de-
greetings lock that way, certainly but deny utterly
deny that follows, that the question be settled be-
Congress thinks, every member OF both
branches instructions the President that effect
To that because Congress adopting this that
the otherrah, absurd course adminstra
ton bound do the same, Illogical triumph
of such doctrine would be injurious the nation hy re-
moving all obstacles special and corrupt legislation 1t
lie adverse to the genius Of constitution which recog
and provides for the compotes freedom Of the Exec
ntve from legislative CONTROL whereas If this new tangled
idea prevail President must sink to the level Off
Venetnn Dose whose only business was to carry into
effect the DEGREES of an irresponsible assembly"
"Let suppose, for arguments sake that the Senate
will adopt the mlk and resolutions OF some cbivsl
Tous gentleman the subject Of the notice" aud that
the House will humbly with opinion; what will
then be the duty o the President His duty will be plain
simple. unequvocal. He will, u Ia his pledges #
worthy Of his place, If justly entitled the mantle OF An
dew Jackson, eierate his decarauon our title TO
50 10 is eeaT and unqussonab that with his consent
Great Britain shall have inch OF Oregon and that
he will uphold the honor and tights Of the Country so long
as God permits him to draw breath. What" some
trembling parsonage may eAeaim would YOU have the
President agsnst The plainly declared will Of the ropre
seniatves OF the Peopethe Executive up his opinion
against that OF the Legislature" Ave- that we would
against twenty Legislatures necessary 10 do 20 for
the high purpose OF accomplishing great ends maintain
ing an American position and when it can be done in &C
eordanec well with the spirit with the letter Of the
constitution. Were Congress the tribunal OF the last re-
sort, different considerations would present themselves
Butsuch tribunal it Is not, and wold have Mr. Polk
appeal from the RePTesenfGoes Of ae people 10 the peO
pie henselpes. who constitute the Ultimate body before
which great questions that settlement from
which there can be appeal The President the Great
Tribune Of The People-the guardian u popular rights
feature in constitution when tue eau e. of It's
isIenee are not taken into consideration
In Heavens name, what oas the object of that
NETo that anomalous feature in our Constitu
toni" Was it to be used as the daily bread Of
the President, or as an "extreme medicine" to be
resorted to rarely and employed with the great
est caution The history Of the Convention by
which that Constitution was formed, will shew
that the advocates OF the Veto secuted the idea
that it would ever be exercised except at distant
intervals and as a last resort in the most despc.
rate emergencies. One Of the chief grievance,
which was alleged by u against the mother
country, was the refusal of the crown 10 assent IN
laws necessary to the public good. Vat even the
throne OF England has not often dared to use this
power IN opposition TO the decree Of It's Parliament
And yet, sword Of despotism which monarcbs
would permit to rust in its scabbard is the fami
liar weapon Of Democratic Presidents, and en-
Ployed, on every occasion, to ceavo down the
popular will, when it dares to assume an attitude
Of opposition to the Executive
Who can fail to see in this article from the
Statesman, sanctioned by the Times, how closely
radical democracy verges upon lawles, despotism
These papers represent the wild, disorganzinp,
revolutionary branch Of the Administration party
Was ever, by any political creed or faction, such
an imPudent contempt exhibited for the Repre-.
sentatives Of free people, and such blre.facej
effort 10 convert the Executive Chair into a row.
al throne erected upon the PROSTATE liberties Of
the people Congress Is called ian irrespon,j.
BILE Assembly" The Constitution is alleged Ia
provide "for me completed freedom of he E1cc
aiioe from legislative control" But these progress.
sive Democrats go even farther. They sla moIessly
declare that they would have the President "go
against me plainly declared pH Of tie Represen.
fa'ires Of me people," aye, against ipesfv Lgiy.
iaiues,' to carry out what D,cy consider nm Arne.
rIcan position Whom such a doctrine is redu
ced TO Practice, It is evident that Congress will
be useless incumbrance upon the operations of
Government,-ws shall have an elective monar.
ohy' instead Of Republic. aud that monarchy.