The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-10-16
THE ONE MAN POWER.

oANE hhN Wv
Locofocoism, says that excellent print the N.
American, boasts that it is the party Of
progress, and, in some respects, we are dispos-
ed TO concede its claims TO the Distinction
But what has been the character Of that prog
ress? Has it been progress OF intelligence,
virtue, law and public morals? Has it been
heartful progress by which the blessings OF
good government have been wisely defused,
and the admonitions of wisdom, derived from
Washington and the early fathers of the Re-
public, have been observed and cherished as
political land marks and beacon lights? Truth
answers, No. The progress has been doTn-
,eGrds; and ,he usurpation of power on one
hand, and the surrender of it on the other
executive encroachment andlegislative servili-
ty-have marked the various degrees of adj
vancement which this party has made in its
march towards the principles-or practices
of absolute authority. Twenty years ago. this
system began, under President, who came in
TO office flushed with great popular triumph,
and who aimed to make his will the sovereign
law. What he attempted at that time. was
justly regarded as a monstrous assumption OF
power; but the abuses of the Executive De-
partment since then, have made his outrageous
acts appear as very virtuous, particularly when
placed by the side Of the high-handed usurpa-
tions Of Mr.. Polk.
Il
The Constitution is practically adead letter;
for the legislative functions have been almost
wholly absorbed by the overwhel lining infiu-
ence of the President, which has gradually
been increasing, until it has now become su-
preme and paramount to any and all others
The Executive has assumed 10 himself the right
of making war-of levying taxes-of collect
ing armies and of appropriating the public
revenues. All these acts are in open contra
vention OF the Constitution; and yet they are
not only approved, by a arty which falsely
processes TO be the party of popular progress.
When other means have failed to seduce or in
timidate Congress, the veto-a conservative ell
ement designed to be used only in defence Of
the Executive, or in cases of inconsiderate OF
Unconstitutional legislation has been resort
ed to, in order to defeat the popular will and to
maintain the Executive supremacy. This
power has been exercised in manner to rem.
lder Congress either entirely nugatory, or the
slaves of despotic President. 1t has been
Haunted in the face ofa vote, largely exceed
ing two-thirds of the popular branch; it has
been applied TO private claims, which have
vainly entreated the justice of Government fol-
forty years; and il has been used to serve the
basest purposes of faction and party. Wehave
reached period when the great question a,
stake is, whether the people or the President
Ishall, henceforth, constitute the government
whether Congress or the Executive shall make
the laws. This issue was t:ied in other days
and when similar effort at consolidation wa.
attempted. On that occasion Mr. Jefferson
wrote to Lafayette as follows
''The Tories are for strengthening the Execu-
tive and General Government; the Wings cher.
ISL the Representative branch, and the rights
reserved TO the States, as the bulwark against
consolidation, which must Immediately gener
ate monarchy. And although this division ex
cites, as yet no warmth, yet that it exists, is
well understood, and will be principle of vo
ting at the ensuing election, with the rejecting
men Of both parties"
The VIII igs of 1913 are now contending fol
the great cause maintained by their forefathers
They still "cherish the representative branch;
and, in this contest, they mean to inscribe it a.
their motto, against Executive Progressive,
which figures as the only fixed principle" Of
Locofocoism, We ARE against power which
has been converted into sceptre more pc
tent than that of absolute despotism, and in ia
vor Of the restoration of those popular right,
which have been shame fully spurned and tram
pied upon by our Democratic rulers.