Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-04-05

sonality of the President. With every
new President there would be a new
Constitution; for it cannot be supposed
that the intellectual organization Of each
incumbent Of the Executive chair will be
identically similar. No two minds are
50. Some continuity Of Interpretation
might indeed, be secured to the Constitu-
ton if every President when he came to
his inauguration were required to promise,
as one Of them did, that he would sstread
in the footsteps of his illustrious predeces-
sor." And here we may perceive, per-
haps, the true meaning Of Mr. Van Buren's
words, viz:-that he would support the
Constitution ascent Jackson understood it.
I. But it would imply great defect, in
deed, in such a charter as that which guards
our liberties and our rights If there were
no provision in it for ensuring its own
consistent Interpretation, and for giving
defniteness and permanence to its mean
ing. The Supreme Court Of the United
States, BY its very function Of interpreter
OF the laws made under the Constitution,
is the official exponent Of the Constitutions
itself. That high tribunal, composed Of
men Of learning, Of wisdom, Of experience,
and, by the tenure Of their seats, madein-
dependent both Of the Executive and Of
the Legislative power, save by the process
Of impeachment-that august tribunal,
within whose precincts, as within sane
tuary, the ark Of our political covenant
dwells, and where the unhallowed foot Of
the demagogue dares not intrude-that tri-
bunal, respected, revered, obeyed, is char
ged with the solemn responsibility ofin-
terpreting the Constitution and the laws
according to the true inspiration Of their
spirit. There sit the priests Of our tenn
pie and there are none others.
A Presidential election, every four
years, makes neither new Constitution
nor new expounder Of it. The people
choose on those occasions an individual to
enforce the provisions Of the Constitution
as it already exists; to preserve, protect
and defend it, to the best Of his ability,
within his proper sphere Of action. Eve
ry functionary Of the Governmental an
oath Of fidelity to the Constitution. Are
they all to be faithful to it only as they un-
derstand it !?
Strange that such doctrine Of personal
assumption, such an arrogation Of power,
such an attitude Of superiority and def
ance towards all other functionaries ofthe
Government, should be declared charac-
teristic Of democracy! The President TO
support the Constitution as he understands
it! Who is to guarantee his understand
ing? The Baltimore Convention was res
ponsible for Mr. Folks, and failing bus
mess that association made Of it. But are
we all, people, States and functionaries Of
every kind, are we.all to be allowed to
read the letters Of our Magma Charta, only
through EhbJ Exeea!iye spectacles? Il might
other men and subject to human in6rmi-
ties, would sometimes distrust his own
judgment in matters involving high con-
s:itutional principles, and that he would
naturally look to the decisions Of the tribu-
mails established for the especial deter
mining Of those principles. The practice
Of the Government under the earlier Presi-
dents, who had so large share in the for
nation Of the Constitution, might also be
regarded with some respect BY an Execu-
tive anxious to fulfil the requirements
Of his official oath in their true spirit. In
recognizing these obligations, President
Taylor gives evidence Of rightful UNDER
standing Of our republican system, and Of
patriotic determination to maintain its
great constitutional principles g
IL @t-t AgE a4 Affairs Of Rome. 4iE8fgEtt.lE
ESTABLISHMENT OF. THE ROMAN Re
PUBLIC, &c.-The London correspondent
Of the .Neu York Herald gives the follow
ing additional particulars Of the installa-
ton Of the Republic Of Rome, and the de-
position Of the Pope:
Ever since the flight Of the Pope to
Gaeta and the installation Of provisional
government at Rome, It was quite evident
that some decisive step must be taken.-
The very word foreign intervention is
sickening to the Italian. In The sitting Of
the Roman Assembly, on the 9th Of Feb
ruary, Mazzarelli, the Minister Of the In.
terror, inaugurated the opening OF the Ro-
man constituent Assembly by the follow
ing speech:
Citizens, Representatives. cfMe People
The work Of our redemption is achieved,
What majestic spectacle is thai. Of real
National Assembly! For the first time il
holds its seat at Rome. Welcome, citi-
zens, representatives Of the people We
are proud to salute you, and the provision
al Government incline themselves before
you. This is the happiest day Of my life
have only one wish to be fulfilled-tc
behold Italy free and united, to see it rails
ed to the rank Of nations, and OF all nations
the greatest. [Applause.] To-day we
are all Romans call ourselves Ro-
mans-we belong to Italy belong to
Italy, to ourselves-for the people are nc
longer the property and the prey Of a priest
ling. [Applause.] God created people
free, and Infamous is the man who would
afiix the seal Of right divine to crowns, as
if God could contradict himself. Yes, lei
us resume our baptismal name Of Romans
Rome is the most holy, the most privileg-
ed, and the most historical country ofltaly
the heart Of Italy-and we are proud te
bear the name Of Remains!
After passing sort Of funeral Grafton
on Pho Nino, the orator continued
The task Of the provisional government
has been immense; but it cares little for