Democratic banner., 1848-12-25

sorbing, and the others important for thu
accomplishment OF tie purposes for which
they were established. OIganizsd as they
were by consent, they remained together
for the public good. After the Executive
and Judiciary shall be deprived of the con.
stitutional powers in them, and Of their due
portion the equilibrium of the system mus
be destroyed, BY the consideration of IN.
checked despotic powes, and by majoritie:
of the Legislative Branch.
The Executive, Legislative, and Judicial
each constitutes aseparate, Coordinate de.
Ipartment Of the government, and each, in.
dependent of the others, and in the per.
Torrance of their respective duties under
the, constitution, neither can in Legislative
actions control others. They each act up
on their several responsibilities in their re-
|spective spheres. But II the doctrines
now maintained, be correct, the Executive
must become practically subordinate to the
Legislative, and the Judiciary must be sub.
ordinate to both, and thus the whole pow
'er Of the government would become merg-
ed in a single department. Whenever, il
this shall occur, our glorious system Of
we'll regulated self-government will crum-
BILE iato ruin, to be succeeded first BY an
erchy, and finally by monarchy or dssPo.
tism.
I I'm far from believing that this doctrine
is the sentiment of the American people;
and during the short period which remains
for me to administer the Executive depart
ment, it will be my aim to maintain its in
dependence, and discharge its duties with
out its infringing upon the power or duties
Of either Of the other departments Of gov
eminent. 80
The power Of the Executive was exer-
cised by the first and most illustrious Of my
predecessors, aud by four of his successors.
who preceded me in the administration Of
the Government. 1t is believed that in no
instance, ~prejudicial to the public interest,
has it ever been exercised. No president.
will ever desire, unnecessarily, to place his
opinion in opposition to that Of Congress.
He must always exercise the power reluc-
and only in cases where conviction
makes it a matter Of stern duty. He can
not escape. Indeed, there is more danger
the President, from the repugnance he
must always feel to coming into collision
with Congress, may fail to exercise, in ca
ses where the preservation Of the Constitu-
ton, or the public good demands it, than
that he will exercise it unnecessarily or
wantonly.
During the period I have administered
the Executive Department of the Govern
ment. great and important questions Of pub
lie policy, foreign and domestic, have ari,-
en-, upon which it was my duty to act. I'll
may indeed be truly said that my admins
has fallen in eventful times. l have
most sensibly the weight of the high
responsibilities devolving upon ne. With
no other object than the public good, the
enduring fame and permanent prosperity Of
ny country, have pursued the convictions
my own best Judgment. The impartial
arbitrant Of enlightened public opinion inI
The present and future will determine how
far the public policy ! have maintained, and
the measures | have recommended, may
tended to advance or retard public
prosperity at home, and to elevate or del
press the estimate Of our National char
acter abroad.
Invoking the blessing Of Almighty God
upon your deliberations, at your present.
important session, my ardent hope is, that
aspirit Of harmony and concert, you may
guided to wise results, and such IS re-
found to the happiness, honor, and glory Of
,ur beloved country.
JAMES K. POLK.
Washington, Dec. 9th, lS4S.
II