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tive citizen of the United States, ambitious foreigners cannot intrigue for the office. This qualification of birth. cuts off all inducements from abroad to corruption and negotiation. The age required, is sufficient for him to have formed his public and private character; and a long domestic residence is intended to afford his fellow citizens the opportunity to attain a correct knowledge of his principles and capacity, and to enable him to acquire habits of attachment and obedience to the laws, and of devotion to the public welfare.

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In case of the removal of the president from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the pow ers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the vice president, and the congress may, by law, provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of the president and vice president, declaring what officer shall then act as president; and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a president shall be elected."

Congress has provided by law, that, in case these supposed vacancies shall happen, the president of the senate pro tempore shall act as president; and, in case there should be no president pro tempore, the speaker of the house shall so act, until the vacancy shall be supplied. And as it may become a question on whom the office would devolve after the expiration of the congress for which the speaker was chosen, it is usual for the vice president to withdraw from the senate previously to the adjournment of the session, to afford an opportunity to the senate to choose a president pro tempore, who would, in that case, act as president.

Why are these restrictions deemed necessary? In what case does the vice president officiate as president? Who acts when the vice president is absent or disabled? What officer is substitute for the president of the senate pro tem? How is a substitute for the speak

If the vice president succeed to the office of president, he continues in it till the expiration of the term for which the president was elected, unless the temporary disability of the president be sooner removed. If both offices should be vacant, the law makes it the duty of the secretary of state to cause notice to be given to the executive of every state, and published, ordering an election for the appointment of presidential electors, who shall elect a president.

"The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected; and he shall not receive, within that period, any other emolument from the United States, or any of them."

As it is a fundamental principle of our government, that the several departments should be kept separate and distinct, the support of the president was secured by a constitutional provision, in order to preserve the due independence of the executive department; which could not be expected, if the legislature could control at its discretion, the salaries of the executive and judicial officers. The compensation provided by law for the president, is twenty five thousand dollars a year, with the use of buildings, furniture, and other effects belonging to the United States; and that of the vice president is five thousand dollars a year, payable at the treasury.

"Before a president shall enter on the execution of the duties of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully

er provided? How may casual vacancies in the offices of president and vice president be filled? What is the object of a constitu tional provision for the support of the president? What compen sation does he receive? What the vice president?

execute the o.lice of president of the United States; and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States."

It is the practice, under the constitutions, both of the United States, and of all the states, for legislators, judges, jurors, witnesses, and other civil, as well as military officers, to bind themselves under the solemnity of an oath, to discharge their trusts and duties faithfully. An oath supposes a belief that there is a God, who will hereafter reward the worthy and punish the wicked. There are persons who believe that all oaths are forbidden: they simply affirm, or declare. But a false affirmation subjects the person so affirming, to all the pains and penalties of perjury.

CHAPTER XXV.

Powers and Duties of the President.

THE president shall be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States."

The command and application of the public force to execute the laws, maintain peace, and resist foreign invasion, are powers of an executive nature, and require the

What is required of the president before he enters on the duties of his office? What is an oath? What does it pre-suppose? What is the practice of those who believe oaths to be forbidden?

What power has the president in relation to the army and navy?

exercise of qualities characteristic of this department; in every well organized government, these powers have therefore been appropriated to the executive.

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The president may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officers in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their offices."

As the several departments are established to aid in the administration of the laws, and as the duties of the presi dent make it necessary that he should be kept acquainted, as fully as possible, with the business of every branch of the executive department; it is proper that the principal officers in each should give to the chief executive officer, such information and assistance, as may be at any time required of them.

"The president shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons, for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment."

The necessity of a pardoning power, arises from the imperfection of human justice. Under the most correct administration of the law, men are sometimes liable to suffer from revengeful accusers, the inaccuracy of testimony, or the fallibility of jurors. But there are cases in which policy and humanity require that punishment should be remitted, though the crime should be clearly ascertained. The power of pardon vested in the přesident is unlimited, except in cases of impeachment. He is prevented, in that case, from screening public officers, with whom he might have formed a corrupt coalition, or who might be his particular favorites or dependants.

"He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the senators present concur."

Why are the opinions of the executive officers required? From what arises the necessity of the pardoning power?

How is this

A treaty is a bargain or agreement between nations on any matter that concerns them. It is in this manner that eivilized nations settle their disputes, and agree upon the terms of peace at the conclusion of war. Commercial intercourse between nations is sometimes regulated by treaty. The terms of a treaty are agreed on by the ministers of each party, who put their agreement in writing; two copies of which are made, signed and sealed; and one of them is sent to each of the respective sovereigns, by whom the contract is either ratified or rejected. Both parties must ratify, or there is no treaty.

In a monarchical government, the power of ratifying and rejecting treaties is exercised by the king. In the United States the power of making treaties is confided to the president and senate. As treaties are the supreme law of the land, this power is considered by some more properly to belong to the legislature in free governments. But as secrecy and despatch in negotiations may become necessary, in order to take advantage of a sudden and favorable turn of public affairs, this power is properly confided to the executive. And yet, to place without limitation, in the hands of the president alone, so important a power, was not deemed altogether safe. The senate was therefore wisely associated with the president in the exercise of this power. Its members are easily assembled, and are generally governed by steady, systematic views, and a due regard for national character, and act with prompitude and firmness.

The president" shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, judges of su

power limited?

What is a treaty?

What matters are regulated by treaty? How are treaties made? In whom is this power vested in the United States? For what reasons is the senate, more prop

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