The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-05-16
THE UNION.

life, should be yielded faithful public servant when dis
missed from public employment; and unless as puohc
men we intend to abandon those principles which govern
us in our social and domestic relations, we are IN
my humble Judgment, bound TO entertain teso hq"'
ries They can do no Injustice the Executive IL
It's power has not been wanIonly abused the conduct Oh
the government will be presented to the people IN an UNI
exceponabe point of view. But the other hand IL the
Presidents authority has been perverted entirely TO par
and personal purposes bound to correct Inc
ovi And should refuse present him to this nauon
In his proper character AT the expense oil the ePuoh
all lelowczens, who have been uampled under 1901
by the arbitrary and despotc exercise of power VIII II not
be said that by shrinking from the nvestg ation we have
dsrused his Integrity and have shown belief that MS
security in concealmena IL all has been rightly done
do not treat him ungenerously by refusing him an OPP
portuny presenting the evidence for his acqual at the
bar of public opinion lay, SIR the bar Of public opln
ions for that bar he must stand and await his sentence
and his drest foe could not wish him certain con-
domination than inevitably awaits him, unless he Is heard
in his defence"
But Mr. Clayton went still farther on that memorable
occasion for he urged that just such conduct General
Taylor and his cabinet every day practising should
be the subject of an Impeachment. We invoke General
Taylors grave consideration of the doctrine maintained
by his own chosen premier when General Jackson
in power, and when only comparatively small number
of removals had taken place Mark we do not threaten
impeachment; but may it not occur' If Mr.. Clayton
month of March, $780, how, ask. impeachment to
be avoided should the present OF NAL admnstra
ton be still persevered in, But let Mr. Clayton discuss
this point for us. These are his precise words:
.fI am right in my views constitutional powers OF
the President and Senate thus far presented the former
properly officer before the expiration
OF his term but connected only with the public
interest While the latter investigate that and
ascertain by the facts how far the constitution has been
pIied,u and has bee
extended beyond its constitutional limits, the House may
mpeach the author of such abuses before the Senate and
the Senate may remove him and all his mnions An i'm
parchment however, requiring majority Of the House to
prefer it, and two-thrd- of the Senate sustain il,
rarely perhaps never, prevail against the exercise of Ex
ecuve patronage directly Congress, and the nhu-
Of party spirit Then suppose that President,
gardess of his duty and OF the consequences either of
sure impeachment, should remove all public
Who would his usurpaton of the
eeignty of the people, and fill their places with avores
who should seek robe him with the impe
rial purple We have been told that such may
cur-tlat Aaron Burr on the verge of this
high office and it has been said that he would have filed
every Office in this way | do not say so myself nor
do pretend decide upon that But the question now
aes What checks have the people upon usurper who
should do these things for his advancement mmedi-
atey after his accession The presidency! II is certain
hat until the expiration of his four years ter-a period
long enough for the achievement OF revouton-the peo
pie check upon him, except through the instru-
What control has the Senate upon this power becomes
one of intense interest to the American people"
This was the view of the senator from Delaware in
$780, who is the present Secretary OF State II had any
force under Gen. Jackson's administration, how much
more has it now under Gen. Taylors' General Jack.
son did not owe his election to party pledges He
never publicly promised TO act as noparty President
He was bound therefore, by such ties But how diff
ferent is the OF Gen. Taylor He is bound by direct
professions and by positive pledges and to these he
in great degree, his election The only way for him to
escape the charge Of prescription is to contend that he
removes only for On this ground, therefore, il
follows that not only loses his office, but his char
acter also; and therefore, the redress which not
called for in 1890, is particularly proper in lsi9 The
remark of MIR, Clayton, however it applied then, comes
now with peculiar forcethat the victim loses character
as well Office by the action Of Executive vengeance"