The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-11-18

the SSaition Lao efi7es.
We present to our readers the able
speeches Of Hon. Rcyerdy johnson
and Hon. WIN. Piukney Whytc, at the
mass meeting held 10 Monument Square,
on the evening ofthe 2ad of November
also the resolutions adopted on that
occasion, aud ask for them an attentive
parusal:
The former, Mr.. Johnson, after reviewing g
and briefly stating the reasons which led to
the election Of General Grant to the Psesi
dency aud speaking in favorable terms OF
the conductof the General during the admin
istra,ion of President Johnson, when he
was sent South to examine and report
upon the condition Of the people in that
section of the country, with a view to as
certain whether or not they continued hos
tile to the United States, and, after making
9, thorough investigation, reported to the
President that the people there entertained
no such hostility, but, on the contrary,
were willing and anxious to be again mem
bers of the Union and observe all the
duties connected Herewith, continued as
follows:
This, however, think, may be stated
with truth, and will, | believe, be concur.
red in by large majority of people of the
United States, including thousands of the
best and ablest men of the Republican par
ty, that he has proved imsefincompetent
properly to discharge the high, important,
and complicated duties Of the office he now
holds. Nor, indeed is this to be wondered
at. Educated as q soldier, apparently with
no other knowledge than that which direct.
ly belongs to that vocation, he entered into
the Presidency, believe, with little or no
acquaintance with the history and nature
OF our political institutions. nor with the
manner in which they should be admins.
tered SO as to secure the peace, prosperity,
and safety of the country. As n soldier
lately in command Of hundreds of thousands
of men, bound 10 do his will, whatever that
might be, lie seems to me to consider him
self still at the head Of an army, and that
the people of the country are bis soldiers,
and subject to his command. That this has
been illustrated in more cases than one,
shall endeayor hereafter to show.
In the first place, he certainly esteems
the innumerable host of Office. holders as
bound to do his bidding and promote his
political interest. Those who refuse, wheth.
er appointed by himself or not, are ruth.
lessly decspitated, willis. those who serve
him most implicitly are most confided in
and rewar ed They are now, in fact, an
army IN the field, and are being welded by
HIM, evidently with view to secure his
re election.
Such an exertion ofthe power Of removal
with view to the appointment of some
friend ofthe President, in the beginning of
the administration Of the Government, was
considered not only inexpedient, but as
criminal, and justly subjected him to im.
peachment and removal from Office. This
view was maintained by Mr.. Madison, who
did as much as any other man in the Con.
vention to frame the Constitution, and who
certainly understood the purpose ani ex.
tent OF its provisions as well as any 9th ell
man in the country.
In debate in Congress upon the extent
OF the power Of removal, III answer to the
objection that it would be exerted, or might
be exerted, to get clear of good and com.
petent officers in order to appoint friends
OF the Executive, Mr.. Madison said " /
contend that the wanton removal of meri.
torious officers would subject him to i'm.
parchment and removal from his high
trust" i Lloyds Debates, 5)3; Story S
CON-, sec. l,54l.)
1t is unfortunately true that this power
has been so exerted for so many years by
other Presidents that it is now too late to
dispute its legality. But it is nevertheless
true THAI such IN exercise of it is inconsis-
tent with the spirit Of the Constitution, and
serves, in the words of Mr.. Justice Story,
to convert all the officers Of the country
into the mere tools and creatures of the
President" and has the effect TO adeter
men of high aud honorable minds from en- .
gaging in tho pnblic service"
l have not time properly to consider
many of the questions which are now exer
eising the public mind. The finances have,
think been unwisely administered by the
present Secretary Of the Treasury, and in
several particulars the laws have been dis.
regarded The tariff, which at every ses
sion of Congress since the a'cendency of
the present party in power, has been so in
creased as to operate most oppressively
upon large majority Of the people, aud
especially upon that large and important
class, the agriculturalists and their employ.
es. Whilst their productions have not in.
creased in value, their expenses of living
have greatly enhanced. Everything that
lhey eat which they themselves do not pro
iuce, and everything that they wear is dou.
BILE, treble, or four times as costly as il
would be but for the present tariff. Tn fact,
The legislation Of tho country in this REGARD
has been dictated and controlled by tbe
These, for the most part.
have grown rich, whilst every other class
of the country has been made 10 contribute
% It at q heavy and almost ruinous cost.
And the pernicions effect of the tariff is
llso illustrated by its inf fence upon our
railroad system--a system which is so i'm
'ortant to every man in the country.
These roads, in consequence ofthe tariff,
rave cost and are costing infinitely as mach,
! not more, than they would cost if the
oreign manufacture of rails were not in a
,reat measure excluded from competition
With the domestic article, The great dif
erenee in price between tho domestic
md foreign article the roads COMPENSATE
"n"se'SS loi w tHcrttslnG the price OF
oils upon freight and passengers. The
mount Of this sum paid by the farmer and
ne traveller amounts annually to millions.
III such a tax is not unconstitutional, as
believe It is not, il is so inexpedient and
oppressive that the people should not toler
te it. Aud believe that they would not
olerate It, If they knew how expensive aud
,ernicious to them and to the country it is.
When | say that such a tax is Constitutional, |
II that | mean is that its legality connot be |
ndicially questioned. For, as Congress is
ested with the power ito lay aud collect
axes, duties,' etc., it is for that epart.
aent to decide what taxes and duties shall |
9 levied, and their decision is conclusive. |
iut the abuse Of power may be a. preiu. |
icial to the interest Of the people as the |
surpation of one. Upon these poiuts the |
resent occasion does not allow me to en-.
ire.
There is one consideration, however, of |
general nature. which should persuade
ne people that the party in power, legisla.