The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-03

Four Letters from Gen. Scott.
On Party Politics TIE Judieiory--.1he Executive
Veo--Rotation an O6ies--One Presidential Term.
Agency Of Ms President IN Liquidation Secret or
Oath-bound Societies, &C.
WAsHSGros, Oct 25. 1871
GrsrLrmrs: I have lately had the honor to receive
many letters from as many different States each pro-
pounding, the part OF the writer and his neghbors,
nearly the political ineTogatories, to which an
sweTs required.
The scope Of the inquiries is natering proof OF the
interest that some OF my counymen take in the opinions
that have formed certain great principles Of abiding
importance TO the success OF systems OF government;
and as have nothing 10 conceal, II nothing OF value to
communicate SHALL al without policy or reserve,
and in the form OF circular, comply with their several
requests
Party PoLIrlcs.--A Although. from early manhood.
have by the profession OF arms IN defence OF country,
been thrown out OF the arena OF party politics. yet have
ceased be attentive observer Of public events,
and thus, believe there has scarcely been
Of moment in Congress- within my time, on which ] did
not FORM and modesiy, but firmly, express passing
opinion
mere YOUTH felt the liveliest Joy when the alien
and sediton laws expired in the triumph Of Mr. Jefferson
From 1906 was old enough, by speech and pen, 10
call Tor prompt and energetic redress OF our wrongs
suffered from Great Britain under her orders in council
attack on the Chesapeake irgae. and long continued i'm
pressmen OF seamen and when the war OF 1872 al
length came was among the first and longest N the
presence OF the toe The insults received from the French
Directory their depredalons on our commerce. renewed
under Napoleon's DEGREES, (Berin and Miami which fol-
lowed the British orders IN council also largely shared IN
The administrations of Mr. Madison and MIR. Monroe,
like that Of Mr. Jefferson. had in their respective periods
my humble but hearty appreciation and have since cen en-
dismantng Of the remainder of our navy, the gun boat
system OF defence that followed and the indefinite
barge, which, Gripping fol lar. by destroying
commerce and finances and depressing agriculture, was
long continued, without redressng one outrage from
abroad.
give this little sketch OF the growth Of my party feel
n perhaDs. mVSelf
and few partial friendsto show that, If have never
been ederast in any party sense OF the term, SO never
have been jacobin, impracticabe, abstraciions
in any whatever, but always od-lashioned re-
publican, devoted 10 the support of law and Order-a
democratic whg just as all my family have been wings
in the great struggle for national freedom and ndepend-
ence
The JuDIcnRY.-From early and long continued
stndy OF elementary law my mind has ever been mbued
with deep for the bench, State and federal
independent department in our system OF government
and which. holding neither the purse 10 corrupt nor the
sword Of power 10 tery addresses itself only with the
mild force of persuasive reason 10 the intelligence and
virtue OF the whole community BY the federal constu-
ton every possible safeguard provided to shield It's ju-
dietary asas esg sos hs
unavodaby directed and constantly exposed Hence
TO the zone Supreme Court is wisely extended (by zap
peate jurisdiction) a in law and equity arising
under this constitution the laws OF the United States
and treaties made. which shall be made, under their
authority"
Looking to this express provision. have always held
that when doubtful queson-arslng under either the
constitution ITSELF the supreme law OF the land under an
act of Congress, treaiyhas once been soemny ad-
Indicated by that court, the principle OF The decision
ought TO be taken by all dehnItvey setied-unless,
indeed, it be upon ehearing before the same tribunal
This appears to me too clear for dsputaloni Tor the
court not only declared to be supreme, and hence there
can be no bench beyond but TO Congress is only given
the power TO cons,ltu,e nfero tribunals BY appeals
10 the Supreme Court settlement intended 10 be
reached, and anarchy, through a long distraction
OF the public mind, on great questions OF legisla-
i've and executive power, thus rendered impossible
Practically therefore, for the people, and especially their
functonares 10 deny to disturb, impugn principles
thus consutionally established. strikes me as OF evil
example, il not OF direct revolutionary tendency except
indeed, in the of judicial decision, enlarglng pow
and sganst liberty and any dangerous error OF tins
always be easily corrected land should be only
corected) by amendment, OF the constitution in OF
The modes prescribed by that instrument selfthe or
ganc law OF the States and the people. Misconstruc-
lions OF law, other than the constitution, yet more
readily corrected BY amendaory or declsraiory acts oil
Congress
THE EXECUTIVE yEro--This, by the trainers OF the
constitution could only have been designed To ena-
BILE the President 10 defend his own rghiful powers
against usurpaons the part OF Congress. q To ena
BILE him 10 forbid other legislative nacons OF the con-
stuton and g. To guard the country against other acts
OF hasty or violent legislation.
II 10 hardly possible TO conceive case, under the first
second Of those heads, against which the Judiciary
the balance wheel OF the sysemdoes not afford OF ITSELF
all the security that the people can require.
But, without the protection OF either the bench the
veto, would the executive department (become super
judicial Of late years. be too weak TO fuhl the strictly
created or rather would that department still be the
most powerful for evil in the government.
The President is, under The checks OF the constitution
and law, rghtfully invested with the power of the
sword and be has again and again bad that OF the purse
also. The houses OF Congress, is rse, lay taxes, hx
imposs, and regulate the sales OF the public domain but
IL he, through his agents. who handles the proceeds
From 1888 to 1890 TO say nothing OF The presently he
alone nominated and dismissed all the agents who kept
as well those who collected, distributed and discussed
the public The apothegm, make us executors
we care not who your legaees. has afnghtu appca
ton TO such agents and the immense treasure that annu
ally passes through their hands.
The rapid increase and spread OF population, the growth
oil national wealth. the amount OF revenue collected and
dsbursed, the relations tby the extension oil CON-
msrce) with foreign countries the additional appointments
home and abroad, the number and value oil contracts
all constantly and necessarily the increasea general
decay in morals, perhaps great in Congress else
where the habit that have prevail during several
presidential terms. of filling public Offices with but little
or regard TO moral standngbave, taken together al
ready opened the head OF The government elements OF
power and corruption which i was impossible Tor the
trainers and sdopers OF the constitution 10 oresee or TO
conceive. Who, at that distant day, for example, ever
dreamed OF the spec,aces which have recently Disguised
every honest citizen iof posmasers mail contractors.
mail agents, and census takers covering the land with
government pamphlets, handbills. and extra gazetes,
Sufficient Qf read) 70 cap the MORALS public and private,
OF an entire generation lot the custom house
aries IN the large cities, living the public neglecing
every duty for party meetings and the polls and render
ing TO power the most bnbe-worhy services iof dis
tfict attorneys and collectorsrambng missionaries,
defending every abuse Of ofee--ther the most in
decentin order TO maintain power in the hands OF their