The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-04-18
before The Constitution was adopted ~ me

before the Constitution was adopted By the
States, apptehended that the tendency Of the
Government was to the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
the Legislative at the expense of the exccu-
tive and judicial departments" II. indeed.
fears Ut legislative ACKNOWLEDGEMENT should
ever have existed, The cause uf those fears is
left in great ohscusily. The history Of the
Constitution, through all The stages Of IFS
formation. its adoption by the several states.
aud the conspicuous differences between the
great political parties at the time. would
seem 10 deny the existence OF any such APP
prehension. The strong sentiment OF the
democratic party, through IT'S whole struggle
with the federalsts, until the election OF
Jefferson, was directly the reverse vt the
Presidents statement. In the Convention
which formed the Constitution, Jealousy VI
Tie Executive branch 81 the proposed gov
eminent was as great. even, as the Kindred
jealousy against The probable encroachmen's
uf the Federal Government upon the inde-
ppndrnce and sovereignty OF the separate
States. Ii thai body il was even proposed
,ha, the Executive should BE- removable by
the Legislature, without Impeachment or
conviction Of high crimes aud misdemeanors.
As further manifestation nf that feeling. Y
was prapused that the Executive should be
plural. Madison aud Randolph urgently
supported it as a measure OF protection
against the aggressions "i the Chief Magls-
,ra,e upon the rights of the cu.or,inate
branches nf the Government. Mr., RAN
dolph, (Guvernor Of Virginia. and Attorney
Genera under Washingion.) speaking upon
this subject, said: ~ The situation OF this
country Is peculiar; the people are taught
aversion 10 monarchy; all The Constitutions
are opposed to it. Why cannot three rxe-
cute 7" The ineligibility of the Executive
after one term was al.o insisted upon. rs a
necessity 10 prevent usurpatinn. Jefferson
declared his wish 10 be that the President
should be elected for seven years. and be int
eligible ..f,rrwads. Mr.. Randolph slsn made
use Of this remarkable expression: THE
Executives may appoint men devoted TO
them, ant even bride the Legislature"
! Hamilton. alter the adoption 81 the article
of the Constitution relating to the Exrcu-
tive, addressing Cav. Lewis. used still
more striking expression I" Yon nor /. my
friend, may mt live 10 see the day, hut most
assure,lly Il vii come. when every vital IN
terr.t Of the State will be merged in the all
absorbing question 81 Who will be the next
I President" So numerous ATE the prnois
that the " wisr and graf men" uf our rsr-
/ ler HISTORY entertained iorebodings % The
yrry opposite character 10 those Which lie
| President a.cribes 20 them, that II j. dificult
TO resist = disposition ioaiiribUte insincrriiy
10 the President 10 accomplish The purposes
Of his protest. The suspicion an the part Of
the people has become ~ great that they are
conIinnslly reducing Executive power. In
many e the States the Governor has become
but a mere ehief II police. This is not.
however, 10 be attributed 10 legislative or
judicial agency. but IL the fact that chief
executives 20 use their patronage a. 10 pro.
duce a tendency 10 Capitalization Of power
dangerous 10 the liberties of the people.
The world IL bot a great battle field for
power and il universal history teaches any
lesson. tits this: "lhat power j. always
siral,ng from the many To- the few = that
executive hraLs of nations absorb popular
rights; snd That all revolutions are on the
part of The people. MT TO establish thrones.
but TO regain that which has b-en wresrrd
from them by The thrnne. The citizen Of
the United siairs has reason To fear that
which every natian has suffered.
The committee. entertaining the views
herein oppressed. recommend the adoption
~ thr following resolUiioai
ResoteS. That the House dss-nis from he doefines
." the sceisl ne-sasr II The Pissdent q The United
STATES 81 hsfea 20 $50.
hat the extent OF power contemplated IN the siap-
s1n Of the resolutions u inquiry Of March s. 1900
necessary 10 the proper i,ehge Of the
duii.s devalved upon Csnrfe.-;
That iuisi, determinations shs aPinions a fsrmsf
Presidents snI unitsfm usage ss.eiian iis sHrrsiss
and.
That % ,haaden i would lesye the Ersruiiv. 10.
p,rtDsn, u the Gaunhss, without sn,sssi.isn o.
responsibility. and would h. lksly 10 lead 10 eaucsn.
tiiian II passt IN the hands u The President danger.
GU. iothe nights u = ifcs peatl,.