p.

34

find. There are defects in our form of government, and
errors in popular opinions, that no administration can rec-
tify ; and until such defects are amended, and such errors
corrected, we shall continue to be a divided, distracted com-
munity ; indcessantly agitated by violent factions ; each in
its turn triumphing and oppressing the other.

One thing is certain, that the election of the chief
magistrate must be conducted in some way that shall effec-
tually prevent intriguing for the office. If this cannot be
effected, the constitution, for securing a just administration
and equal rights, is not worth a straw.

Another thing is equally certain, that unless executive
and judicial officers can be placed beyond the influence of
popular caprice, many of them at least will be time-servers,
the laws will be feebly executed, and impartiality will be
banished from our tribunals of justice.

Must we, then, despair of the republic? No, sir, not
yet. The people of this country are republican in princi-
ple ; and will not abandon the hope that a republican
government may be sustained. But, sir, that hope must be
abandoned, unless the great men of our country will lay
aside their party strife, and unite in some vigorous effort to
amend the defects of our constitution. The leading men,
sir, must cease to expend their breath in speeches about
banks and monopolies and metallic currency, and mount up
to the source of our public evils. There only can be ap-
plied the catholicon which shall be efficacious in restoring
to the confederacy health and soundness.

MARCELLUS.