The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1849-01-05


power BY ,hs.coust may be regarded as De
ing ia conflict eth the capacity OF the pee.
Die TO govern themselves. Indeed. there
10 more resson for slrikine this poser Of
the court from the constitution than there
is that Of the qualified veto Of the Piesi.
den, because the decision Of The court is
inli, and can never be reversed, even tho
both houses Of Congress and the President
should be pnauimous 10 opposition TO il
whereas the veto Of the President may be
overruled BY a vote Of two.lhirds Of both
houses Of Congress, or by the peop,e q, the
polls.
II is obvious that to preserve the system
established by The constitution, each Of ,ht
co-ordinsls branches Of the government
the executive, legislative aud jodicial--mus
be left in the exercise Of its appropriate
powers. II the executive OF the judicla
branch be deprived of powers conferred
upon either as checks on the legislative,
the prepondcrsnce Of the latter will become
disproporliona,e aud absorbing, and the
others ,mpoten. for the accomplishment Of
the great objects for which they were es
tsblished. Organized as they are by the
constitution, they ~ork together harmoui.
ously for the public cool. II the execu.
tive and the Judiciary shall be deprived Of
the constitutional powers invested in them,
and Of their due proportions, the equilibri.
I'm Of the system must be destroyed, and
CONSOLIDATION. with the most pernicious re-.
suits, mus, ensue-s consolidation Of No.
checked, despoiic po~er exercised by ma
josities Of the legislative branch.
The executive, legislative. and judicial,
each constitutes separate CO ordinate de-
paftmens Of the government and each is
Independent, Of the others. 10 the perfor-
nance Of their respective duties under the
constitution, neither can, in lie legitimate
action. control the Others. They each &C,
upon their several responsibilities in their
respective spheres; but It the doctrines
nov maintained be correct, the executive
must become practically subordinate to The
legislative, and the judiciary mus. become
practically subordinate to both tho Iegisla.
tive and the executive; and thus the whole
power Of the government would be merged
in single department.. Whenever, il ev.
er. THE shall occur, our glorious system Of
wel'-regulated sell. government will crum.
bic into ruius-!o be succeeded, frs, by an-
aschy, sud inally by monarchy or despot.
ism. ! am FAT from believing tina, this doc.
trine is the sentiment Of the American PEG
pie; and dufiog Ne short period which re.
mains in which il will be ny duty to ad.
the excessive department, il will
be my aim to mhintain iis Independence, !
md discharge its duties. without infringing
upon the powers or duties Of either Of The /
'ther departments Of the government.
The power Of the executive veto vas ex. !
.fcised BY the irst and most iiIus,sious Of
ny predecessors, and by four Of his success.
'ors Who preceded me in the administration
81 the government, and, it is believed, in
no instance p,elutlcially 10 The public inter.
ssts. |, has never been, and there 10 ba,
little danger tina: il ever can be abused
No President will ever desire, unnecessari.
", 10 place his opinion 10 opposition 10 thai
Of Congress. He must always exsrciss the
power reluctantly and only in cases where
his Convictions make il matter Of stern
duty, which be Cannot escape. Indeed.
there is more dinger tina, The President,
from tbs Iepugnancs he mus, ai~ays feel
10 come in collision With Congress, may
fail TO exercise II in cases shefe the pres
erva,ioU Of The CONSTITUTION from iufraclion,
or the public good. may demand II, than
thai he will ever exercise il unnecessarily
or wautonly.
During the period have administered
the executive department. Of the govern.
men,, grea. and importan. questions of pub.
lie policy, foreign and domestic, have aris-
On, upon which it was my duty 10 act. II
may indeed be truly said tina, my admins
ira,ion has fallen upon even,ful times.
have felt mos: sensibiy the weight Of the
high responsibilities Gevolved upon me-
With no other objec. than the public good
the enduring fame, and pefmanen, prosper
ity Of my country. have pursued the COO
victions Of my own best Judgment. Th'
impartial afbitramani Of enlightened pub
lac opinion, present and future, viii deter
mine hos Ear The public policy have main
tanned, and the measures have from tim
10 time recommended, may have tended /
advance or retard the public prosperity q
homo, aud TO elevate or depress the es.
mate Of our national character abroad.
Invoking the blessings Of the Almight
upon your deliberations at your present it
portsa! session, my ardent hope is, that
spirit of harmony and concord, you IN,
be guided 10 wise results, and such as ns
rebound TO the happiness, The honor, g.
the glory Of our beloved couolry.
JAMES X. P0Lh.
Wilmington, December ), 1915
SYMPATHY