The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-30
Monarehleal Tendency OF Federalism.

By the term FEDERALISM mean the political prnci-
pies and theories proiessed by the party in power
and by the term FEpEaAL PARTY mean TO designate
that party now calling itself the wing party We COM
mence our article with this explanation in order that the
application Of those terms may not be misunderstood in
the remarks which follow.
II will not be denied that there exist, in every commu-
nifty possessing any amount Of freedom two political par
ties holding different and opposite political principles
and theories One OF these parties represents the
DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLE, and the other the RETRO
GRADE or MoNARcMcAL PRINCIPLE. We have those
two parties in this country, under the present desig
nations OF democratic and wing parties The former,
planting itself upon the great principles of popular lib
ery essential to every free government, has been
the constant advocate Of rational progessin other
words, Of adapting legislation to the existing state Of
things The federal party has been the party Of rerogra
daton and its policy is to force new circumstances liz the
condition OF nations to conform to old institutions We
do not affirm that the rank and file Of this party entertain
precisely such sentiments but the leaders do entertain
them They 60 further. The thinking minds of that
party who shape its creed and policy, are, Of them
astocras, and monarchiss, having faith in the
wisdom or the permanency Of republican government
Those men, have remarked give hue and color to
the creed and the policy Of the federal party and those
men have the government in their hands, and
have made its action correspond to the spirit OF the creed
which they profess.
In the first place, OF the avore doctrines Of feder-
asn is, the responsibility Of the government to the peo
pie This has been, and is now, the favorte doctrine of
ToRYlsm Tor CONSERVATISM by which name it is now
KNOWN in England and this doctrine the federal party
now in power, and represented by the cabinet,
deavorng to enforce in this country and, fortunately for
them the accidents OF politics have placed in their power
whose weakness and imbecility completely sub.
serve their purposes. Gen Taylor the very to
answer this necessity of federalism; and throughout he
has been made their tool carry out practice their ia
vonte political theory
They began their experiment by persuading him to
stultfy himself He made to believe and say that the
President had nothing to do with the legislation Of the
country He must neither have system of policy which
should be recommended and sustained by facts and argu
ments in his message, must he the veto power
He persuaded TO hold out the idea that all legislative
responsibility be thrown from Executive shoulders
upon Congress, the members of which do represent
in their persons as he does should great system of
public policy which the people have decided to carry out
in practice Thus the person holding the Office Of the
to relieve himself Of responsibility, virtually to abdi-
cate his legislative functions vested in him by the
stitution.
The next step to make the Chief Magistrate Of the
public irresponsible TO persuade him to repudae his
executive functions and vest them in the cabnet-a body
not known to the constituion-the members of which
are merely the creatures OF the President. made by his
will and the exercise Of his power. Their willing nstru-
ment consented to this usupaton of his power and this
real degradation OF his office He consented to be an
equal in the cabinet with his heads Of departments, and
actually vested in them the appointing power, and the
decision Of great questions Of governmental pocy-thus
attempting 10 relieve himself Of his executive, he had
done OF his legislative, responsibility.
Thus has federalism under the present weak incapable,
inexperienced occupying the place Of President Of the
United States practically and substantially accomplished its
favorte and darling design pursued through
half century Of hard and severe struggle with the dem
ocmtc party. This government is practically
simulated TO that Of England. The President is pact-
cally nothing, like the Queen Of England; and the cab
met everything like the ministry Of England rea
PRACTICAL and substantial revolution has been effected in
our system Of government by the arts and sophisms Of
federalism, pracsed upon weak and inexperienced old
man, whom accident, and not his qualifications, have
placed in the presidential chair.
We have seen this change in the practical workings of
our government it has been going on; and is most
conspcuously manifested in the late document emanating
from the cabinet called the Presidents message That
document bears many Of the characteristics Of Queens
speech victorias speeches from the THRONE addressed
10 both houses OF Parliament are prepared by the min
sty, and express, far they express anything the
views and policy OF the ministry General Taylors mes
sage addressed to Congress, prepared by the cabinet
and expresses their sentiments and policy victorias
speeches are BRIEF and are remarkable for nothing ex
cept their unmeanng seneralities. General Taylors
message is but little longer, and nearly barren Of
meaning Victoria possesses the veto power absolutely,
but does it, because she has no policy Of her
own, and is used simply TO carry the government for
the benefit Of the arsoccy Besides the dissolution Of
Parliament by the Queen is equivalent to the Veto
General Taylor possesses qualified veto power but does
not it, because he has been persuaded that il is not
proper for the President to use il; and thus have the
federasts practically dsarmed the Chief Magistrate OF
the republic OF formidable instrument OF prevention
against their darling schemes Of monopoly and aggran.
dzement to be effected through the agency Of the gov
eminent
Thus il appears that FEDERALISM with all its odious
doctrines and dangerous principles, has again been in