Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-04-03
The Ono Man Power.

Tho Washington Seninei has very significant article
on this subject but under the heading that Tho Depart
ments OF the Government ought to be kept scparate
We commend the Sentinel for its in speaking out
this subject Though its article does designate In
precise terms the place where Il strikes, It will be well
| understood where its blows intended to fall
The one power" has exercised potent an iniu-
during this Administration that It may well cause
alarm in the minds of the Democratic editors the Sen
ino The win Of the President has been fast usurpipy
the place Of the will of the people The has be-
subservent the The announcement that
any bill before Congress Is Adminsrs ton measure
has been considered sufficient to through and the
peoples representatives to be made the plant tools
for obeyiug the mandates of tho Executive all occa
sop rather than be guided by the dictates of their own
judgment and the sentiments of their constituents The
public patronage has been freely dispensed as reward
for subserviency the power the displea
Of the Administration held up terror over all
who might think proper exercise freedom OF thought
upon any measure of public policy We suboin the fol-
lowing extract from the Snners article the subject
ave have been making these remarks at tb;s
time by seeing in the newspapers aud hearing CONVEX
sston remarks severely rejecting the independence
OF the Legislative department Of the government and on
the ambition of the Executive department When Con.
gres has officer OF its elect without nomi-
nation by the President accustomed such
is the administration candidate, aud Congress will
dare disregard the wishes and the influence of the
administration. livery in Washington who has ears
to hear, has heard such remarks time after time.
Now, the Constitution gave to the Executive allithe
power il intended him TO have. When he has the power
nominate officers the Senate he has the right 10 use
his influence to procure their ratification Such nominees
emphaticaly administration candidates. But whe-
either house o Congress has the sole power of eectng
las is the in regard their oiicersD without
any of nomination in the Executive then the Ex
ecutive has no right either directly or indirectly
TO interfere To put up what is called an ad.
minis'ratiOn candidate, is indicate in itself, disre-
respectful, and dicta.orial to Congress- and sub
versve Of the Constitution and yet, how often does il
happen that miserable subordnates whpper snappers
and managers about such occasions with busting
sefimportauce spread the order that such man /.
the administration candidate Congress will be e,p cted 10
elect him. II they do elect him, il understood that
an ahron has been given to the administration, that
prompt punishment will be Inflicted. We take this case
because latery has been dnned into the of every
body in Washington and because OF strongest
cases that can be cited to illustrate the danger en-
coachment II this country should any time he cursed
with corrupt Congress aud corrupt Executive, then
the whole theory of balance OF power aud separation
OF the departments would be destroyed aud one depart
nent would become subordinate and subservent an-
other
There is another aspect of this subject combna.
ton might take place between the Executive and num-
Der OF members of Congress. Thus such members of
Congress might say to the President We will vote for
any measure you recommend will for any man
whose election you may desire provided you will give
neh ana snch appointments either for ourselves
OF our constituents
ave have called attention to this SUBJECT for several
reasons One is that it has been much talked Of in pr
vate-hnd thousand things known and talked about
in Washington that the journals here say nothing about
Another reason is, that feel it TO be duty to
hold all public meh TO strict conformity the Constitu
ton and strict accountability 10 he people We want
to the Constitution preserved in its and
Too much is suppressed-somemes from fear sometimes
from favor, sometimes from policy. We do not doubt
that what we have said will be msconsrued We cannot
helpit. 1t is right We would wound no one we would
offend no one We disclam any such purpose But let
who will! take offence, We have written what We have
written"