Newspapers / Carolina Watchman (Salisbury, N.C.) / March 13, 1841, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of Carolina Watchman (Salisbury, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Kill II H 1111 I 1 i i 1 I 'Hi 5 i naugural Address RSZD.27T HAXIXIZSOXT. ! J ' l- CALLED from a retirement which I hod MS i . . . . . supposed was (o continue lor the residue M my ljfe to fill the Chief Executi ve office 'tilth! i jg re ii an free nation, I appear before 0a rellow-citixens, to! take the oatbs which the Constitution prescribes, as a ne cessary qualification for the performance of i 13 duties. And .in obedience to a custom ddeval with our Government, and what I believe to be your expectation!, I proceed to' present to you a summary of the princi ples which will govern me, in the discharge effjthe duties' which I shall be called . upon I) perform. .' 1 ' ' j it was the remark of a Roman Consul, in an early period of that celebrated Kepub ? 111 an am.end be effected; pubV desired oliJVjjt, !( newing thepledgt iirufor no i rirramstl is danger to onsUiutioh can J Executive Depar secure the VCo; n may y aid to it, by re ifore given, that, ill I consent to - ( - i - -A flient,' consiituted J the I the Constiioftaa, Apt to have made the officer al Constitution. A person elected to tbat high mcean i the 1 reasury uepatlmcnt entirely .fT..-M, ;, nntitnpnt in 'ePr r. 1 1ndependent of the Executive. He should, at tion, State, and snbrd.tisioh o!; ' i r . . 1 fka Mitnltf Krannh rF thai nicli i I t. a mm. vantages which flow from the Gcrmnment; the acknowledged projjerlof all, the A mer'tcan citizen, derive! from novebarter graptea oy n, saw j w'8v';f il to gi.c... m , .V'" of the popular branch rf the Legtslatare. I have l.iem oecausefta la nimfeil a Man,jaaiiion- unaer no circorasii jm consenrio must consiorr mitoscm uuhu W x&xmnt& rt to remove a Secretary of the ed by the laroe Almighty hand as the rest I serve a secorid tertXf solemn sanction, !to guard, protect and de-1 Treasory without cWmunicatiog all the cir- of his species, and enlil'ed to a full snare tiut u the.re is danger to public liberty lend ttie rigtits 01, an, ana 01 , every portion, cumstances attending suclr removal to hot h of the blessings with wjiich; be has endow from the acknowledged defects of the Con- great or smalt, fr0m the injustice andop- Houses otCongress, r The influence of the Ex ed them. 1 i stilution, in the want of jiroil to the contin- pression of the rest, i consider tho yist 'Um controllinjr.tbe freedom' of the teetive Nniwithatandinir the limited aoteremntv nance of the Executive oower in the same uower, therefore, ffiven b? the Constttatiori iranenwe 'inronga ine meoipniui ine pouiieom- possessed by the People pf the United States, hands, there is I apprehend, not much less and the restricted erani of! oower to the from a misconstruction of that instrument. Government which they have adopted, e- as it regards the powers actually given. I i nough has been given to accomplish all the cannot conceive that, by a fair construction, objects for which it was created. It has any or either of its provisions would be ... JHk AM ' k a to the Executive of the United States, solely .pR ettS "? V7 ,fen?W;"5.. ,e as a conservative power. To be used only, Jnter(ence in ejUon3 fonbcr lhan lT 1st, to protect the Constitution frotn viola- jn?lheirovvn voles Und their own independence tion ; 2dly, the ?eoplo - from the effects of seCured by an assoranee perfect immunity, in hasty legislation, where tbeie will has been exercising this sacred privilege of freemen under been found powerful Jul war, and, hitherto, found to constitute the President a part of probably disregarded or not well understood ib dictates of their Konblassed-jidgrneris. justice has been administered, an intimate the legialativo power. It cannot be claim- and. Sdly, to prevent the effects or combin- Wever. with ray tset. shall an ofiirter of the union effecteddometic tranquility preserv- ed from the power to recommend, since, ed.'and persona) liberty Secu red to the clti- although enjoined as a duty upon bini, it is zeri. As was to be expected, however, a privilege which he holds in common with froin the defeet of language, and the' neces- every other citizen. And although there sarlly sententious manner in which the may be so mething more; of confidence in Constitution is written, disputes have aris- the propriety of the measures recommend- en ias to the amount of power which it has ed in the one case than in the other, in the P? ui . iu. . .,-.8 w... .- Aeti.Luv Wr.ntAd. or w3 intWnHprl tn ffranl. ot,lirtion of ultimatA decision there can m 1mm mm. am Mikal ijimIm 1 '$ m v "" ' ! I I- M r)l rtAVAAIIII I r t k A I 4 1 fttl A r T InA " - -- i ,L.,f .... Ar .i,-;.,.,-,.,1 i-i.r vable in the conduct of candidates For o cea of power and trust, before and after laining the m -they seldom carrying out in arions violative of the rights of minorities. In reference to the second of these objects. may observe that, I consider it the right and privilege of the People to decide dis puted points of the Constitution, arising from the general grant of power to Congress to carry into effect the powers expressly giv en. And I believe, with Mr. Madison 'that repeated recognitions under varied circum anal part of the instrument which Constitution, al I the legislative powers" stances, tu acts of. the legislative executive l..i...r ki. mU. I .Im1. K n JU . A f I .k .L I ..n)a ti r M t.f H in Ihn .nn..ii 1 A fl fl lllfl If ID I hrnprtP fit InA I tnTPrll mpfll. i?i.u rfc-T noi only as regards the exercise of powars of the United States. 1 It; would be a sole- accompanied by indications ! in different made in the former. However much the .il...i u,i.-. i. . -i- o. i !,-.;. r ti.. 'M'nr.i n world may have improved, in many respects: . , .. ..-. .. . b L. : , ?ri ... i l. I -.1 ..j. -.uT d :j . ! -... . People," compensated for bis services out vf ihpir kets, become the inianl instrument of - Exec utive will. j "r- There is no part of the means placed in the hands of the Executive which mifrbt be used with greater effect, for unb .llowed purposes than the Cunlrol of the pnblic press. - The maxima which our ancestors derived from the mother coootry, that the freedom of the press is ihe srre&t bulwark of' civil and religions liberty,1' is one of the most precioos legacies which, they left os. VVe have learned, 100, from our own as well as the experience of other countries, tbat golden shackles, by whomsoever or by. whatever . j .,....:.. .. : 1 ... ii ... !. . . 1 t . .1 . til uvuy ine auiuoriiY 10 pass aw laws neces r. .inn.. th, remark a9 m.d hv ih J 8ar7 10 carry into effect Jhe specified pow- virtuons and Indignant Roman, I fear that! m aw m not inn nT I Ii A annala nf rll jflHiwi VAiuimaiiuit wa asw uiiaiv ui ouuio erf, but in relation to tne latter also, it is, however, consolatory td teflect, that most these is not included in the whole. It may be said, indeed, that the Constitu tion has given to the Executive the power to annul the acts of the legislative body by pretence imposed, are as fatal to it. as the iron of the nation, as affording to the President bands of Despotism. The presses in the neces sufficient authority for his considering aucb fsary employment of the Government ahou!d ne disnuted Doints as seitled." ver be used " to clear the goiUv, or to varnish Upwards of half a century has elapsed cilmee A, decent and manly examinatioo of QinrPlhn aHonl on of our nront form of ,n.B ,,Cl8.D, uaTernr suouiu u Duonij -w r- Km, . .Mri t - uiiri. vi i i ft. niiiiiiiaurii Jr.,: . ..! i.-.-. - . ...j of the instances of alleged; departure from refus nr td them his assent. So a simi ar -Ulope aimiUr iu.lance. of ,M.Md con-' h !;, or .pi,iCoS,i,oUoo, b,.. po.e, b.sanlilulted rroth.liD- B""'1- l .V".i&0Mhe V "" T"'0" T f s ' r ultimately received the sanction of a major- strnment tktbe Judiciary; and yet the Ju- highly desirable than the gratiticitipnot tue ion, at some length, upon the impropriety of Ex- I lihoh the fiat of the People has gone1 "y, of the people. And Ithe fact, that many diciary fins no part of the Legislature. iLk nJi.iminn,...rsi.ri;.Lj rpur statesmen, mosl d stipguished for There is, it is true, this difference between IIM VIUllllilK 9SSV VMIVI -S C Iwll W I m . . . . I . mm the Executive can .. :.. iti . n..L:. . talent and patriotism, have beea, at one ihese irranis of oower i u,.S gunua mu, ,v.H.,.g upi, c, olher of their pblilical career, on nut his negative unon ti e1 acts of the Leiris- DepartmenUt: of the powen which they re- S both side, of each of 4 niost warmly dis- K"CS lo ?h.l of wKf -d, claim and'exercse, of the 'col- curiosity of speculative statesmen, if its pre cise situation could be ascertained, a fair ex hibit made of the operations of each of its i.l5"nii.r.,i.iK L L., Pnted questions; forces upon us the infer- td have acted in relation to my principle ,ne thai the trror if rrfrf.; thw were, and opinions ; and perhaps there may be areattributable to the intrinsic difficulty, in ;j j ....rKi. .mkM.k.M A.m many instances, of ascertaining the mien- runic iu una gotiuvii nuu,ua,c vuiucutie I . ! k either nrapared to condemn those I shall tI0fl9 of. lhc. franle" f Constitution, now deliver, tlio sincerity But the lapse of a few months will confirm But the great danger :to our institutions ! t i vu w uv ta wow sk oso a a .v . . r, or, approving them, to doubt rather than the influence of any sinister or y with which they are ottered nnPlr,ol,c n,ot,1re- conformity to the Constitution, whilst the Judiciary can only declare void those which violate that instrument. ijBut the decision of the Judiciary is finally in such a case, whereas in every instance where the veto of the Executite is applied, it may be over come by a vote of two-lhinls of both Houses of Congress. The negatjve upon the acts of the Legislative, by the Executive anthor- lisions which have occurred between them, or between the whole Government and those of the States, or either of them. We could then compare ; our actual condition, after fifty years' trial of our system, with what it was in the commencement of its operations, and ascertain whether the predictions of the patriots who opposed its adoption, or the confident hopes of its advocates, have been best realized, i The sreat dread of the for mer seems to have been, that tbe reserved Like some others of a similar char- Powe8 f tbe Stales would be absorbed by a a. a m ma . m I tAie nnt nnikO VIA fvia ffn nfl in 4 n&n nAliAn n lanol itiPir oir. I MM rtnllinA nl nnni I uwq uw, ai aai uw v ww iu a uoui i'biiuu, pies to govern, and measures to be adopted; by jlhe Governmont, of power not granted lty, and. mat in the hands of one individual, by an"! Administration not yet begun, wil oyjine jreupie, uui uy uie accumuiauon, in wuuiu seem io uo su lucwugruuy in our bjs mi wi .v.tiAn.Aii r.. :MM..At. i.;.nr. 1 1 one of the Denartments. of that which was 1 tern. Like some others ! of a similar char DUUII UQ bliailEU IU1 lUIUJHiaW S IILIUII kl I "9 r.w I I .1 -. aid I ehall stand either exonerated by my assiigned to others. Limited as are the acter, however, it appearsflo be highly ex- those 01 the Jfederal uovernment, and a cLnlrvmen or classed with the mass of pojwers which have ben granted, still e- pedient ; and if used only with the forbear- consolida ted power established, leaving to iBose who promised that they might dfei nough have been granted to constitute a ance, and (in the spirit wbich was intended the Slates the shadow, only, of tbat . inde m.i ki .nj..,t;. .r ... I nendent action for which thev ro zaalouslv cfiive. and iiatierea with the intention w ur"""! " w uu ui iu w ; in uiio, u u iivuuktio gm r - - y -- ------- i ' I J , - . VTV t a n - I a i a a :s . a frknftv-l.liM 4 mm Ib t.piiiiieli.ff hT k n w betray. j panmenis. i nis aanger is greatly neignt- j gooa, ana ne loana rnefoi me oest sale- j -uwi u uu mo pisasu.iiwu -- ; i i i : . i . l . t .. i j . . t;. .i i . .i guarub-iu ine uoiuu. m me perioa 01 lue formation f However strong may be my present swu, n u dbcu aiwiys oDierraDio ioai purpose to "realize tbe expectations of a nfen are less jealous of encroachments of uiiv uru ii iwcut uiiuu ouuiiici, lilUU upuil 7 they relied as the last hope of liberty. With- ecntive interference in the legislaiiua of Coo gress. That the article id the Const ito tion ma king it ihe duty of tbe President to comraunt . cate information, and authorizing him to recom mend measares, was not intended to make him the source of legislation, and. In particular, that be should never be looked to for schemes of fi nance. It would be very strange, indeed, that the Constitution should havevstrictly forbidden one branch of the Legislature "from interfering in the origination of such bills, and (hat it should be considered proper that an altogether different department of the Government should be permitted to do so. Some of oar best politi. cal maxims and opinions have been drawn from our parent Isle. There are others, however, which cannot be introduced in oor system with out singular incongruity, and the production of much mischief. And ibis I conceive 10 be one. No matter in which of the Houses of Parlia ment a bill may originate, nor by whom intro duced, a u. mister, or a member of tbe opposi tion, by the fiction of law, or rather of Consti tutional principle, the Sovereign is sopnosed to have prepared it agreeably to his will, and then submitted it to Parliament for their advice and rnaernanirhnna and conhiiint leonl I too o - , r - ' r I . : i 1- . . l.i .. mm I lliip nion rpiPriAil rinl.fa wen unuerstana me lunrmiues 01 numan i-t B'V'i n.atore, and the dangerous temptations to which 1 shall be exposed, from the roagni- When the Constitution of the United States first came from Ithe hands of the t '. :. tude of the power which it baa been the Convention which formed it, many of the pleasure of the People to commit to my I sternest republicans of the day were alarm- power which had of the Constitution, the principle I ou- denying that the result to which they consent. Now, the very reverse is ihe case does not appear to have i enioied much fa-1 looked with so much apprehension is in tbe nere.noi oniy wun regard to me principle, ooi vor in tbe State Governments. It existed w7 eing reanzea,u is onviousiuai mey "r , i- v did not clearly see the mode of its accoro- ! u ' 'y s AQ ? , -y 1 i . rU.n r--.ori r ....Mm. k,o slitoted by the Cocstiimion (the legislative bo pltshment. The Gene al Government has dy.) the power to make law,, and forms even seized upon none of the reserved righls of direct that the enactment should be ascribed to hands, not to olacemv chief confidence ur-1 ed at the extent of the bn the aid of that Almighty Power whiih been granted to the Federal Goverument, provision so apparently repugnant to the but in two, and in one of these there was a plural Executive, if we would search for the motives which operated upon the pure ly patriotic and enlightened assembly which framed the Constitution, Tor the adoption of the States. As far as any open warfare may have gone, the Slate authorities have amply maintained their rights. To a casual obser- has hitherto protected rae, and enabled tie and more particularly of that portion which leading democraticfptinciple, lhat the ma- er, our system presents no appoarance of to bring to favorable issues other important rd been assigned to the Executive branch, jonty should govern, w must reject tbe idea discord between the different members 2 . .' r m m i I Srri :.'. i ik.. Liiiiiiit.l (nm mmm k..Ci onhir-h rnmnrNA it. F.vnn thn addition of ni sun greatly interior trusts, neretoiore t oere were in ii leaiures wnicn appeareu i 7 ""v,iJB'tv ,iv" wcucui w i - ... ...... ot fided to me by my country. inot to ben'harmony with their ideas of a lbo ordinary course of legislation. They many new ones has produced no jarring The broad foundation upon which Our simple representative juemocraey, or lie- w wen iuc uig uegree 01 mieiu- . ohstilution resist being the People-i-a public. Anf knowing ithe tendency of gence which existed aipong the People, and feet harmony with th central bead, and reatb of theirs having made, ae breith power to ihcreasa itself particularly when tn enlightened character ot the state le- wnn eacu piuer- vuul uee suu " uuu" an unmake ehanA. r modifv .t5i ' W.t, axerMsed bt a Fine a individual, nmdirtinna SlSlBtUreS, not tO have the lUllest COnbdence CUrreui Bl WOrK, oy wiiicn, u uoi jjcaauiuy .. r-vB - m ii i -- . ,l" . .. .ni . . . I i ..: ae of the great divisions wete made that, at no very remote period, to" ne two oodies elected by tnem would cnecseti, uic jwrsi I I . .11 . I a .' .-' t . I f-4-nI wsmi mi ents, and, of courses, that they would require no aid in cojijjving and maturing the raeas ures whjr pfuaistance of the coun try mlr Ahd it is preposterous In r pprehensions of - our anti-federal patriots will be realized. And not only will the State authorities be over shadowed by the great increase of power in the Executive Department of the General i be assiffned to none of Government but to that of Democracy, the' Government wonld terminate in virtual be worthy representatives of such constttu- ; . . . .- . i - I -. . . . i ; '' . II such is its theort, those who are called monarchy. It would not become me to say upon to auminisier it most recognise, as its tnai ine iear 01 uiese ipatriois nave oeen leading principle, the duty of shaping their already realized. But, j& I sincerely believe measures so as to produce the ereatesl rood that the tendency of measures, and of men's ito the greatest number. But. with these ooinions. for some vears nast. has been in I tor' a thought could for a mo- . ; . ' . " " i I r m , j , i iP r '. 'T.. broad admissions, if we would compare the that direction, it is, I conceive, strictly prop-1 tnf ventetiiined, tbat the Pres- soveieignty acknowledged to exist in the er thit I should take this occmonjoUf caihe Capital, in the centre of mass of our People with the pow Claimed tbe assurances I have hertofbr(t?f could better understand the bv other sovereianties. even bv thnte tvhlrh I determ. nation to arrest ihn nrnrA of that I wants and wishes of' the peonle than their have been considered most mirelv rifnin. I tendenei. if it rf,all eTUt. anri rMim ih own immediate representatives, who snend er to increase itself. . ! i S I io r m ,. ... I U 1.. i I IJ iK a Dart oi everv vear amons tnem. hvios wun r m 1 ,wh, them. The Senate, in relation to Revenue bills, bave the right to propose amendments; and so has the Executive, by the power given him to return them to the House of Representatives, with his objections. It is in his power, also, to propose amendments in the existing revenue laws, suggested by bis observations upon their defective or iojorious operation. But tbe deli cate doty of devising schemes of revenue should be left where the Constitution has placed it with the immediate representatives of-the Peo ple. For similar reasons, the mode of keeping the public treasure should be prescribe J by them; and the farther removed it may be from the control of the Executive, tbe more wholesome the arrangement, and the more in accordance with Republican principle. 4 Connected with this snbjsct is the character Government, but the character of tbat Gov- of the currincy: The idea of making it excla cratic, we shall find a most essential differ-i Government to its pristine health and visor to power Ittai- 1 ted only by their own will. ernment, if not its designation, be essential ly and radically changed. This state of thing? has been in part effected by causes inherent in tho Constitution, and in part by tbe never-failing tendency of political pow- distributor afford a free axLsafe crr-' ssinod tu! the Gecpii r: Constitution. . In all oiher rr lion of Congress should bs 1 collar position and wants, ar with their deliberate opinio, s . terests. I have spoke n of the necr respective Depart meots uf .- well as all the uiher. aotbori?; within their appropriate urL . , ter of difficulty in some c: whicb they respectively chi fined by very distioct line s, ever, in their tendencies, s s kind may be, those which respective communities, tvh: pose9 j compose one nation, fur no such nation ca n lor j careful culture of those fee' and. affection which are ti c onion between free and conf Strong as is ihe lie of inter, ten found ineffectual. Hen, passions, have been vjjnon n ;. tor their country in direct c - . suggestions of policy. The Li Jo destroy er keep down a 6 a i ting and fostering a 'good one ; be the corner stone upon . political architects have rear Government. The cement it, and perpetuate its extster tionate attachment between insure the continuance of t!. at first by a community of da and ofinterests, the adran": made accessible to all. No ; good, possessed by any met confederacy, except in der.; waa withheld from the ci: member. By a process atle: cully, no delay, ao expense t the citizen of one might bf c the other, and successively d lines,1 loo, separatiDgr powers i the citizens of one t tate frc: seem. to be so distinctly dr room for misunderstanding, each State unite in their per: ges which that character cm .1 L ! --!. r mej may ciaim as ciuzens c; but in no case can the same time,1 act as the citizen of t fl! Iim It a a m0ymtf ' , v it is mil yvrc j'UAtucc ; ny inttijertnct with Iht rr" State but that of which ht i irigi a citizen, lie may in. iz.n8 ol other Stales his advi a?ement. and Ihe form in v is left to his own discretica ; prieiy. V--t It may be obscrted, bowej: associations of citizens, r.'r with their wishes, Joo much commendations of Athens t ported by an armed and po-a t iodd, to the ambition of t). r . I L J oreece io conirui ine um:c . otherstbal the destructicri confederacy, and subscque:.! ' bers 14 mamfy to be attribui. ing to the absence of that vetic confederacy has for ") preserved. Never has there institutions of the separate r federacy more elements cf c. ci pies and forms of governr. well as in the circamstanc; -tons, so marked : a discrepa: as tu promise any thin but ! tercourse or et manerwy in I j - . - , tent jwith the positive bend, prod seed, with the iodep. from foreign aggression wLi: sagacious People respected t each other, however repugn- c i pies and prejndices. I liii I .nnfiiiiepntr : I f , r be preserved by the sac:? citizens roust be content r;r.', powers with which iho C them. The attempt of tl. control the domestic instill.'. only result in feelicss cf i; W -: - sively metallic however well intended, appears to me to be fraught with more fatal consequences than any other scheme, having no relation to the the certain harbingers of d narAnnal riirhta or tlm citizen, that haa ever been I VII war. anu ine Qlumaie i. devised. If any single scheme could produce effect of arresting, at once, that! mutation of condition by which thousands of , oor most indi gent fellow citizens, by their iadnstry and enter -.- a r I . m ehce.i All other. Iv claim tn nn.or . far . thU can ; -ttUoA t,. !.; them, often laborirt5 with them, and bound 01 au we "pge oi me uovernment me ira- pun. are raise? to tne possesion oi wealth, mat .ii ,u 7. 17.7 1 Xl V k. ,f..' ...ii kl r-'t , mers of the Constitution do not appear to fhe majority J mate exercise ol the power placed in mv to them by tbe triple lie of interest, duty, I of our citizens, on the contrary, possess a hands. V and affection. r assist or contrdl Con- sovereignty with an amount of power pre- J proceed to state, in as somraarv a man- gress, then, in its ordinary legislation, could -fciiely eq ial to that which has been gran-1 ner as I can, my opinion of tbe sources of I not, I conceive, have i been the motive for teu ia tnem oy ine parties to tbe national ue evils wnicn nave been so extensively I coniemng ine veto power on me rresiaent. compact, and nothing beyond. We admit complained of, and the correctives which I This argument acquires additional force of no Government by Divine right -belie v- may be applied. Some of the former are 0(n the fact of its never having been thus log trjat so far as power is concerned, the I unquestionably to be found in tbe defects of osed by the first jsix Presidents and two the Constitution : others, in mv iudoraeni. 1 of them were members of the convention, are' attributable to a misconstruction of some one presiding over its deliberations, and the beneficent Creator has made no distinction amongst men, that all are npon an equality is an express jrant of oower from the cov ernei1. The Constitution of the Unjted States is the instrument containing this grant! pi power to me several departments cora poiing the Government. On an examma- ' (inn of that instrument, it will be Tound to cbntain declarations of power granted, and orpowfer withheld. .The Utter iaalsosusi ; cejible of division, into power which the hiajiitv had the right tb grant, but which; ' they jdioTnot think proper to intrust to jheir agents, and that which they could not have granted,u5t being possessed by themse ves. In other words, there are certain rights possessed hy each individual American cit jiien, which, in his compact with the! oth ers, be has never surrendered.- Some nf the m itideed, he is unable to nurrencjer, being, m the language of out system unal ienable, j The boasted privilege of a Homan citi zen was io mm a shield only against a pet iy pruvmciai ruier, wnnst tne prouc cerao- cfat of Athens console himself under a sen tence of death, for a supposed violation of me national laitn, which no one understood, anu wnipti at limes was the subject of the a ' mm .. I mockery ot an, or ol banishment front his homef hisjamily, and his country, xviih or without an alleged cause ; that it was the ct, not of a single tyrant, or bated ar stoc racy, but of his assembled countryman. Far different is the power of our sovereign ty. It can interfere with no one's jfaith. " ' - m ' - m m i i pcescrioe torm oi worship for no onels ob servance, inflict no punishment but after well ascertained guilt, the result of investi gation under rules prescribed by the j Con stitution itself. These precious privileges, and those scarcely less important, of giving expression to his thoughts and opinions, either by writing or speaking, unrestrained out by the liability f0r injury to Others. and that of a full participation ih all the ttfr ir-1 ; - r 1 . V I - t . ! .; 1 .. r i. ! i institutions. Uur; lyonfeck r lustrated by the terms an J ; a common copartnership. T er is lo be exercised 'under t joint councils of the allie ! tvhirh tia hpfn rpsprveJ hv bers ia intangible by the c. the individual membeis c tempt ii finds ho suppuit i.. Constitution. 1 It should I earnest endeavor mutually t concord, and harmony air; of our Confederacy F.xj ly taoghl as that the a g 1 1 a t j' and tbat tbe only legitimate right to govern;! of its provisions. Of ifee former is the eli-1 other having a larger share in consummating gibility of tbe same individual to a second tne labors ol tbat august body than any oth termof the'Presidency. The sagacious mind cr peraodV But if bills were never returned of Mr. Jefferson early 1 saw and lamented to Congress by eilber of tbe Presidents a- this error, and attemuts have been made, above referred to, opon the, sround of hithetto without success,. to apply thoTamen I their being , inexpedient, or. not as well datory power df tbe States to its correction I dapted as they might' be to the wants of tbe As hewever one oboe e of correction is in I People, the veto was! applied upon that of the power of every President, and conse- w,nl t conformity to the Constitution, or quently in mine, it would be useless and per-1 because errors bad been committed from a naps inviaious, io enumerate the evils of ; DSSIJ enactment. ; which, in the opinion of many of our fel-1 There is anothipr ground for the adoption low-citizens, this error; or tbe sages who of the Veto principle, which bad probably framed tbe Constitution may have been tbe more influence in recommending it to the source, and the bitter fruits which we are convention than anv other. I refer to the Mill to gather from it. i it continues to dis- security which it gives to the just and cqui- ngure our system, it may be observed, bow- table action of the Legislature upon all parts ever, as a general ierpark, that Republics of the Union. It could not but bays oc ean commit no greater an error than to a- curred to the convention that, in a country dopt or continue any feature in their sys- so extensive, embracing so great a variety terns of government which may be calculal- of soil and climate, find conseqoently, of ed to create or incrOaso the love of power, products, and which),! from ihe same causes, in the bosoms of those to whom necessity must ever exhibit a great difference in the obliges them to commit tbe management of amount of the popularity of its various aec their affairs. And, surely, nothing is more tions, calling for a great diversity- in the likely to produce suchfa state of mind than employments of' the People, that the legis the long continuaoco fof an office of high lalion of tho majority might not always trust. Nothing can be more corrupting,, justly regard the rights and interests of the nothing more destructive of ali Those noble minority. And that acts of this character teeliogs wcich belong to the character of a might be passed, under an express grant by Constitution has declared it to be the duty of the President! to see that the laws are executed, and it makes him the Commander-inr Chief of the Armies and Navv oi the Untied States. If the opinion oft the most approved writers upon . . ! i .... : devoted republican patriot. When this cor rupting passion once tkes possession of the human mind, like the love of gold, it be comes insatiable. worm in his bosom,' the words of the Constitution, and, there fore, not within. the competency ofktbe judi ciary toideclare void.j That however enlight- is the never-dying ened and patriotic they might suppose, from grows with his growth, past experience the: members of Congress and strengthens with tbe declining years of might be, however largely partaking in the us vicum. ii mis is true, u is :ne part of geoeril, of the liberal feelings of tbe Peo wisdom for a republic to limit tbe service of pie, it was impossible to expect that bodies that othcer, at least, to whom she has in- so constituted should not sometime:) be con- trusted the management of her foreign rela- trolled by local i rue rests and sectioned feel- tions, tbe execution of her laws and the command of her armies and navies, to a pe riod so abort as to: prevent his forgetting that he is the accountable agent, not the principal tbe servant not tbe master. Un- ings. . It was pioper, therefore, to provide some umpire, from whose situation and mode of appointment more independence and freedom from such influences might be ex pected. Soch a one was afforded by the have is the one. If there is one measure better cal- -anticipated at how short a period it tvoofd be- culated than another to produce that state of come a formidable instrument to control the free things so mooh deprecated by all true repubii- opera tions of the btate governments. UI trifling cans, by which the rich are daily adding to their importance af first, it bad, early in Mr. Jeffer- I hoards, and the poor sinking deeper into penury, son's administration, become so powerful as to 1 it is an exclusive metallic currency. Or if there create great alarm in the mind of that patriot, is a process by which the character of the coon- from the potent influence it might exert to con-1 trv for seusrosiiy and nobleness of feelinz may trolling ihe freedom of the elective franchise.- be destroved bv the great increase and necesaa- If such could have been the effects of its infla- I rv toleration of osurv, it is an exclosive metallic I part of the Union of a e encerhow much greater most be tbe danger at I currency. j thai General Government, i M I m or. nun I mm tt narl.trll A ... ff U n mII.a Jaliu m A .! I jm f A k a I liar f It A IT II "1 TA I fl n Ii I fl f II 1! is. and more completelv under tbe control of the I racier which the President is called opon to per- I productive of no other cu Executive wi than their construction of their form, is the supervision of the government of I aess, alienation, discord, ar powers allowed, or the forbearing: characters of the Territories of the United States. Those of 1 cause which js intended io all the early Presidents permitted them to make? them which are destined io become members of J the; great interests which t But it is not by the extent of its patronage alone I oar great political family, ate compensated by j try, that of on'on, cordra that the Executive Department has become dan- J their rapid progress from infancy to manhood, union, is by fur the must orprnns. hot hv the nse which it anneara mav be I Air thn narlial and temnorarv demiration uf I heir 1 the onlv true and sure guar made of the appointing power, to bring under its political rights: It is in this District, only. In consequence cf the control the whole revenues of the country. 1 he where American citizens sre to be found, who, 1 business and the currency. nnrlftr a apttlpd avstem of poller, are denrived o? mav meet wittt diuicuiir i many important political privileges, w.ihool any cerns. However deeply inspiring hope as to (he future. I heir only I thing imprudent or exec? consolation, under circumstances of such depri I toents into which butes ! vation. is that of the devoted exterior iruards of I noses of their own. it d r3 that specie of mixed Government, which, in I a camp that their sufferings secure tranquility parage ihe Stale Govern modern Europf, is termed Monarchy, rncontra and safety within. Are there any of their coun- j age them from making p distinction to IJesnotism. is correct, there was trvmen who won Id subiee: thern to erreater sac 1 own relief t on the contra: wantinr no other addition to the powers of our rifices. to anv' other humiliations than those es- I encourage them! to the ex Chief Magistrate to stamp a monarchical char I sentially necessary to the security of tbe object j tional authority to apply acter on our Government, bat the control of the I for which they were thus separated from thetr I ctieeriuiiy to make an n public finances. And to me it appears strange. I fellow citizens ? Are their rights alone not to I submit to all necessary bn indeed, that any one should doubt that tbe entire be guarantied by the application of those great gagements and maintain control which the President possesses over the principles, upon which all oar constitutions are character and credit of ti officers wbo have the custody of the public mo- founded 7 VVe sre told by the greatest ol lint part ol the sharacter an ney, oy ine, power oi removal wun or wnuooi i isn wraiors anu oaiesinen, mai, i ine cum- i uuuucj. ine ikuui.c3 Mnep. for all mifihimi niirrHMa at least I monomant nf tho orar nf thn lCTuiiitlmi. Ihp 1 bundant. the f ntprnrif e virtually sobject the treasure also to his disposal. I most stupid men in England spoke of " their A I pie proverbial; and we tr m. ho ursi xiuiuau i.ujpriui,iii 1119 siieiupi u 1 mericao suujecis. aio uicic, mueeu, vni--ws itisimiuu uu jji . or anv or our states wno nave creamed 0 ineir resnective uovern:ur. stxfciecsin th District of Columbia? Such 1 own sphere, will $!te m 1 dieams can never be realized by any agency ot mine. The people of the District of Colombia are not 'he subjects of the people of the Slates, but free American citizens. Being to ihe latter coo ditton when the tonsil tot ion was-iormed, no .. . . . words used in that character. If there Is any thing in the great principles of unalienable rights, so emphatically insisted upon in oor De claration of Independence, ibey 'coold neither make, oor the United States accept, t sounder of their liberties, and become the tuhjeets, in o iher words the slaves, of their former fellow cit izens. If this be true, and it will scarcely be denied by any one who has correct idea of bis own rights as an American ciirxn, the grant to Congress of exclusive jurisdiction in the Dis trict of Colombia, can be interpreted, so far as respects the aggregate people of he United Siats as meaning nothing more lhan lo allow to Congress fre controlling power necessary to the sacred treasure, silenced the opposition of the officer to whose charge it had been committed, by a significant allasion to his sword. Oy a se lection of political instruments for the care of the public money, a reference to their commissions by a President, would be quite as effectual an argument as that of Caesar to tbe Roman Knight. I am, not insensible pf the great difficulty tbat exists in devising a proper plan fur the safe keeping and disbursement of the public revenues, and I know jlhe importance which has been at tached by mien of great abilities and patriotism to the Jivurce, as it is called, of the Treasury from the banking institutions. It is not the divorce which is complained of, but the nnhal lowed uaion of 4he Treasury with ike Execu tive Department which has created soch exten sive alarm. To this danger to our repoldicao in 'institutions,! and that created by ihe influence given to the Executive through the instrumen tality of the federal officers, I propose to apply all the remedies which any be at my command. It tvas certainly a great error ft the iramers of Unpleaaant a"" ever, c may someiimfs be, bet r. ft Ihoriiies vt ihe ciiizns cf lion tu the lines which s -; jurisdictions, the results t rl Mour institution, if that-devoted attachment ' of moderation and countrymen were tince d- be cherished- If this on passion of our oul, the mistaken enthusiast t!H pi an dreams of the seln: ted. and tbe complicated r.' - - W , m . gogue rendered harraies. tithe sovereign baira f r oorinstiluiins may rect-tv- . J . . kA , I I no care tnai can uc ourfGoveromeiii; n& dm iributjwn of cht- ks io lis will prove cffectaalls i
Carolina Watchman (Salisbury, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
March 13, 1841, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75