Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/56

 :Z P, ECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Thur.day MADISON Jly x9 Mr. Martin moved to reinstate the words "to be ineligible a zd. time". Mr. Governeur Morris. It is necessary to take into one view all that relates to the establishment of the Executive; on the due formation of which must depend the efficac 7 & utility of the Union among the present and future States. It has been a maxim in political Science that Republican Gov- ernment is not adapted to a large extent of Country, because the energy of the Executive Magistracy can not reach the extreme parts of it. Our Country is an extensive one. We must either then renounce the blessings of the Union or pro- vide an Executive with sufficient vigor to pervade every part of it. This subject was of so much importance that he hoped to be indulged in an extensive view of it. One great object of the Executive is to controul the Legislature. The . Legis- lature will continually seek to aggrandize & perpetuate themselves; and will seize those critical moments produced by war, invasion or convulsion for that purpose. It is necessary then that the Executive Magistrate should be the guardian of the people, even of the lower classes, agst. Legislative tyranny, against the Great & the wealthy who in the course of things will necessarily compose--the Legislative body. Wealth tends to corrupt the mind & to nourish its love of power, and to stimulate it to oppression. History proves this to be the spirit of the opulent. The check provided in the 2d. branch was not meant as a check on Legislative usurpa- tions of power, but on the abuse of lawful powers, on the pro- pensity in the ISt. branch to legislate too much to run into projects of paper money & similar expedients. It is no check on Legislative tyranny. On the contrary it may favor it, and if the Ist. branch can be seduced may find the means of success. The Executive therefore ought to be .qo constituted as to be the great protector of the Mass of the people. -- It is the duty of the Executive to appoint the officers & to com- mand the forces of the Republic: to appoint L ministerial officers for the administration of public affairs. 2. Officers for the dispensation of Justice -- Who will be the best Judges whether these appointment be well made? The people at

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