The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-02

United States Bank was passed A case went from Ma
land 10 the Supreme Court of the United States Judg,
| Marshall presding-a court, many OF whose members
| were appointed by Washington himself II argued
by the best talent that the country could command equa
to any that the world ever possessed Wha was the re
suit unanimous opinion IN favor OF the power
nounced by him whose honesty exceptn the very
OF political Madness was never questioned but once, anl
IN that instance only by Mr. Jeterson-and that on
count OF the burning desire he felt 10 punish Aaron Burr
and announced with power OF reasoning which would
seem sufficient to have carried conviction to the duest
intellect.
But, sir, my honorable friends own State of Ohio
thought she had right interfere with branch of that
bank within heSown limits. THIS gave rise 10 another
case which was brough, before the Supreme Court and
was there rearSued and speak from knowledge when
say that when 1t was 9ued no man nad the intre
putty, the intellectual daring, to question the propreN
OF the original DECISION II was argued on the ground
that the orig decision did not cover the particular
But The court did re-eXanine the question aud eaim the
opinion And yet we find the honorable senator from
Oho-and suppose that he had this United States Bank
charter in his minds eyeaIking of legislative usurpa
non Sir the eXpedenc} of an institution OF that sort is
quite different mattel Il is subject TO dangers is
abuse for the very which the honorable senator
gives that the presidential othce IS not capable OF abuse
II is capable OF abuse, because thu tendency is 10 The
pot0er IN one ntn--i president would be far from
wishing to see an institution of that go into exist
ence now, as any member of this chamber If the
sites of the country should require ii hereafter however
and the people shall demand it, there is possible doubt
OF the constitutional power. Nor do question that
guards may be thrown around it, to render much
upon the country called an independent suhreasury; in
other words a. the country will soon find it, govern
ment bankoi all banks, the subject abuse, and
the most pregnant with danger.
Mr. President, before | leave the consideration of this
particular topic and those which it is calculated to sug
gesl, will say few words upon the constutonay of
the resolution now before the Senate. Let me ask of
senator's, and, had right TO no it, would like
put the question to each senator Individually and to
hun answer for himself IN his own good time perhaps
have right 10 ask, and do ask of my friend from Ohio
he should think it necessary to reply anything thai
have said since he last addressed the Senate, that he
reply TO this question He tells that the President of
the United States Is the true representative OF the Aner
can people, and that we are not. Now, the question
PROFOUND 10 the honorable senator is this; Does he
believe that If the course of MIR. Polk in reference
the French spoatons and to the and harbor bills,
cond have been foreseen predicted by the people of
the United States he ever could have got into the pres
another subject the tariff by which some people-and
fear, for his honor, not uncharaby -suppose that
he .paltered in double sense" with the people OF
standing these two measures of vital interest, the
involving the safety of life and property the other
the far character and justice of the country ask any
man can believe, any senator on this floor believes, that
Mr. Folks course in regard to these had been
foeseen, either that he would have received nominal
ton OF the convention, receiving it, would have been
elected Sir looking 10 the indications of the day, and
listening to what many OF his political friends say, can,
think, without any improperly, suppose that the Presi
dent of the United States very willing to be elected
What senator believes that the convention wild nominate
hin? And, If any believe it, what in his senses
supposes that If any Candidate runs against hun, he will
not be beaten! Ii am right in this, and if the President
represents the American people, speaks their opinion
nounces their decisions, and obeys their will there one
opinion and one will which he will have to obey-the
opinion and the will that on the 4h of March next and
forever, he be stripped OF executive power. s.,
MIR. President differ altogether with my honorable
friend from Ohio as 10 the respective character of these
two powers the executive and the Legislative The first
fruitful OF abusethe first especially demands that it
should be watched-the first requires the unseeping vig
lance of the people Sir Alex inder Hanllion-a name,
a Impu
demagogues succeeded in throwing around it,
TONED by high aud patriotic men but with national pride
and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Hamilton, in OF the mum
bers of the Federalsl, treated the widest fiction OF
the imagination, as the offspring OF morbid intellect,
some OF the objections urged, whist the constitution was
before the people, to the powers 1t conferred upon the
President. He was said, in them, to be decorated with
attributes superior in dignity and splendor TO those of
King OF Great Britain with a diaiem sparkling on his
BROW and the imperial purple flowing in his traIn seated
on throne surrounded with mnions, and giving audi
to the ENJOYS OF foreign potentates in all the super
cilious pomp OF majesty Sir what was supposed to be
fiction then, | fear is being realized AS to power,
the Presidents, as practically exered, now far tram
scends that of any British monarch since the DAY OF the
Eighth Henry Time is demonstrating some people
suspicious enough to think that demonstrating
that he may be surrounded by minions, and may
sumo the supercous ronp OF majesty Sir the subject
is OF great Importance Tins tendency to abuse may not
be to reach its ultimate result day, for the
remark of Montes4ueu not less than pnlosophc,
that freedom may be lost IN day, though 1t may be
ages befure the people discover it," No wink
hard not 10 that executive power is the
No patriotic heart but feel sociious tina,
it be watched with great vigilance that it may not be-
suffered to progress until 1t gets beyond the people, and
controls aad changes the whole character OF govern
men Sir, If the people are not awake; 4 they
walchful; If they not their guar the time may
come nay, il must come, wnen the Pigment OF the dlsten
pered Imagination, Hamilton supposed, viii turn 10
be TOO true ami the at the head OF government
will be seen with diadem sparkling his brow; with
the imperial purple flowing IN his tram with nlnl ms
iawnng around nlm and surrounded by ali the ponp and
ccum STAGE of 70 atty But, sir, there spirit al
ready aroused, which have confident assurance is
amply adequate 10 guard against such results.
Sir, the people of Earope getting in advance of us
There the migaty genius OF freedom moving on in all
It's majesty, throwing thrones, exiting mouarchs
and prociamng and ,ntaning the naenabie rights OF
There, spirit Is pervading almost the whole
Of civilized Europe, before which this power is
fast disappearing Ii is only here that it is supposed
may be safely trusted Mr.. President, is the
world overland power power the world over, and il
beco mes us to beware.
Sir, serving greatly to aggravate executive power
another appliance resorted In these, days.
must have official organ--a thing not known in the
pure days OF the repubcspeakng the Executive VIII,
obeylng Executive behests, handling the Executive
lash and what have not seen? know the hlsb
character OF my friends the other side know how
incapable they Of not feeling indignant at presidential
interference with legislative duty And YET SIT, were
they not told from day day, and IRON houf 10 hour
during the last session, that they were tagging pe'
hind their duty not passing measures recommend
ed by the Executive And this IN terms coarse ani
vltuperati veotfensive not only to mea OF sensbill
iy. but to men of any the blun,est honor They
commanded to fall into the traces, ana become
obedent to the Executive will. The organ went still,
further with the House. They being tempo
in thar feuiirr Office, IL that