Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-12-22

government a consolidation directed by supposed
numerical majority. A revolution of the govern
ment would be silently effected, and the State would
be subjected TO laws to which they had never CIV
EN- their constitutional consent.
The Supreme Court of the United States is inves-
ted with the power TO declare, and has declared
acts of Congress, passed with the concurrence OF
the Senate and House OF Representatives,, and the
approval of The President to be unconstitutional and
void ; ard yet none 1t may be presumed. can be
found who will be disposed to strip the highest ju
dica! tribunal under the constitution of this great
acknowledged power-a power necessary alike
to It's md ndcncc and the rights Of individuals.
1t is Obvious that, 10 preserve the system estab-
lIshcd by the constitution, each OF the coordinate
branches Of the govtrnalent-the Executive, the
Legislative, and Tie Jadciary-anust be left in the
exercise Of It's appropriate powers.
/. the Executive Of the Judiciary branch be de-
prved Of powers, conferred upon either, as checks
on the Legislature, the preponderence of the latter
VIII become disproportiouate and absorbing. and the
others npotent for the accomplishment OF the pur-
pose for which they were established Organized
US they were, by the constitution, they harmonic
together for the public good. If the Executive and
the Judiciary shall be deprived OF the constitutional
powers invested in them, and Of their due proper
ton, the equilibrium must be destroyed, and CON
soiidaton OF unchecked desp0tic power exercised
by malortes of the legislative branch.
( The Executive, Legislative, and Judicial, each
constitute separate. coordinate department Of the
government and each is independent OF the other,
and the performance Of their respective spheres
bat II the d0atrine, maintained. be correct, the
executive must become practically subordinate to
the legislative, and Judiciary must become sUbOr-
dmate TO both and thus the whole power of the
/ government would be merged i'll single depart
ment. When, if ever, this should occur, our glo-
rOuS system of well regulated self-governnent, will
cInmblc into ruin-to be succeeded, first by unar-
chy, and finally BY monarchy or dcspolism.
4 During the period have administered the Exc
cGt.yc Department OF the Government; great and
important questions Of policy foreign and domestic,
have arisen, upon winch II was my duty to act
Il may indeed, be truly said that my ad;nlnistra-
/ ton has fallen il eyentfui times.
| have felt most seusby the weight Of the high
responsibilities dcvoving upon With no other
PROJECT than the public good, the enduring fame
ard permanent prosperity OF my country, / have
pursued the convictions OF M own best Judgment.
! ihc impartial arbitramcut Of an enlightened public
/ opinion IA the present ana future viii determine
I now far public policy have maintained, and the
measures have recommended may have tended
10 advance or retard public prosperity at home,
and elevate o. deprcss the estimate OF cur nation
al character abroad
Invoking The blessings Of the Almighty upon your
deliberations at your present nportan; session, my
ardent hope is that in a spirit OF harmony and con-
cert You may be guided to wire fesniis: and such
as mag rebound to the happiness, the honor and
Tie glory O. our beloved country.
JAMES X. POLK.
WASHINGTON. Dee. j. 1915