The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-03-14

One Of the most important passages in the Press
dents inaugural Address has been made the subject
Of criticism by opposition Journal. Cen TAYLOR
declared that his guide would be The Constitutions
and "for the Interpretation Of thai Instrument he
added II shall look TO the decisions Of the Judicial
Tribunals established by lis authority, and TO the
practice Of the government under the earlier Pres
DENTS who had so large share In It's formation
II there were nothing else In The avowed princi-
pies of the new Administration TO distinguish Il from
those which have controlled the Government for tho
last twenty years, the announcement Of this return
10 true constuiionalism would indicate most i'm.
portant distinction.
Ills well known that Gen. Jackson clnimed that
the President was bound 10 support the Constitution
ns he understood III that the genius and spirit Of
fhat instrument had 10 come 10 the people through
the medium Of his understanding and will. What
ooscnriies might cloud this mediunl; what preju-
dices might distort II; what impurities might stain IL
these contingencies were oil TO be considered
oyerrnled by the fact Of a popular election 10 the
Presidency.
Obviously this assumption pre-supposes a virtual
a6rogaton Of The Constitution and puts In the place
OF Il the personality Of the President. With every
new President there would be new Constitutions
Tor cannot be supposed that the intellectual organ
izaaion Of each incumbent Of the Executive chair
will be identicnlly similar. No two minds are So
some continuity OF Interpretation might, indeed, be
secured 10 the Constitution Ii every President when
ne came TO his inauguration were required prom
ise as one OF them did, that he would read In the
footsteps of his ilustrious predecessor And hcre
we may perceive, perhaps, the true meaning of Mr.
Van Buren's words, viz--that he would support the
CONSTITUTION as Gen. Jackson understood il.
But Il would imply great defect, indeed, In such
charter as that which guards our liberties and our
rights there were provision In It for ens,rng It's
own consistent Interpretation, and for giving def
nlteness and permanence toiis meaning. The Su.
preme Court OF the United States, by its very finc
ton OF Interpreter of the laws made under the Con-
slituon, Is the official exponent Of the Constitution
ITSELF That high tribunal composed Of men OF
learning Of wisdom, of experience, and by the
tenure of their modn hnth or, ~
Executive and of the Legislative power save by the
process OF lmpeachment--tha that august tribunal with
In whose precincts as within sanctuary the ark of
our political covenant dwells, and where The unha.
lowed foot OF the demagogue dares not ntrlide-
tribunal respected, revered, obeyed, is charged with
the solemn responsibility Of interpreting the Const
tuition and the laws according to the true inspiration
Of their spirit There sit the priests of our temple
and there are none others.
A Presidential election, every four years, makes
neither new Constitution nor a new expounder of
Il. the people choose on those occasions an indi
ydual to enforce the provisions of the Constitution
as II already exists TO preserve, protect and defend IT,
to the best of his ability within his proper sphere Of
action; Every functonary Of the Government takes
an oath of fidelity to the Constitution. Are they all
TO be faithful to it only as hey understand in
Strange that such doctrine OF personal assump-
tlop such an arrogation of power such an attitude
Of superiority and defiance towards all other func-
tlonaries OF the Government, should be declared
characteristic OF democracy! The President 10 sup.
port the Constitution us he understands III Who Is
10 guarantee his understanding The Baltimore
Convention was responsible for Mr.. Folks, and u
failing business that association made of H. But are
we oil, people, States and functionaries of every
kind, are oil to be allowed to read the letters Of
our Magma Chara only through Executive specta-
clesl II might be supposed that President mortal
like other men and subject TO human infirmies
would sometimes disrnst his own judgment in mat
ers involving high constitutional principles, and
that he would naturally look to the decisions Of the
tribunals established for the especial determining Of
those principles. The practice of the Government
under the earlier Presidents who had SO large share
In the formation Of the Constitution might also be
regarded with some respect by Executive anxious
to fulfil the requirements Of his official oath In their
true spirit. In recognizing these obligations Pres
ident TAYLOR gives evidence Of rightful under.
standing of our republican system, and Of patriotic
determination TO maintain its great constitutional
principles bali. American (Tphig)