The Political Science of John Adams: A Study in the Theory of Mixed ... - Correa Moylan Walsh - Google Libros

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Member of another Balancing Triplet-Its Appointment-Little

Use Made of the Judicial Negative in support of the Consti-

tution (Propriety of its having the Trial of Impeachments,

as a Judicial Matter, separate from the Legislative; of little

importance where Terms are Short—In general, Neglected, as

also the Minor Guards of Liberty-Yet its Balancing the

most Important, rendering the others Superfluous)

NEGLECT OF THE CONSTITUTION

In treating Unicameral as Simple Governments-Ours not

such, nor his Writings avowedly confined to Turgot's System

-This carried out in our Conventional System-The Neglect

again in the Argument for the Executive Veto-Our Execu-

tive Authority, guarded by the Constitution, binding upon

the Judiciary—Oversight of the Judicial Power, and Belief in

Encroaching Tendencies-Disregard of the Difference between

our System, of Supreme People and Limited Government,

with Co-ordinate Departments, and the English System, of

Supreme Legislative, to which the Judiciary is subordinate

and the People subject-The Whigs and the Tories-Their

Agreement on the Supremacy of Parliament-This the Legal

Principle in England still-Whig Admissions relegated to the

background-Their Doctrine of Perpetual Contract-The

Revolutionary Doctrines, of Kings by Commission-The

Radicals-The American so-called Whigs-Their Originality

in Doctrine and in Practice-Imperfect Precedents—Amend-

able Constitutions-Adams's Adoption of English Whiggism,

and Failure to see the American Improvement

III. SOURCES AND ORIGINALITY OF ADAMS'S

CONTEMPORARY EXPOSITORS OF THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION

AND UNNOTICED CHANGES

Originality Disclaimed; Contentment with the English Constitu-
tion and the American Imitations; Regret that these are

not Closer; Laudation of the English-Expounders of the

English Theory:-Bolingbroke, Blackstone, De Lolme-

(De Lolme's Failure to Understand Recent Innovations)—

Their Misconceptions retained, though cleared up by

Others: Stewart, Bentham, Mackintosh, etc.-Later In-

terpretations by Mill, Bagehot, etc.-Favored by French

EARLIER SPECULATIVE AUTHORITIES AND ADAMS's

Theorizers: Harrington, Swift-Comparison with Harrington

(Mistake of confounding Democracy with Ochlocracy, and

overlooking the Distribution of Land)—Originality, in Ex-

treme Systematization-The English Governmental System

preferred, no objection to the English Social (System-Abrupt

change from the early Democraticalness to desire for In-

equality and Checks

IV. ATTITUDE TOWARD THE AMERICAN

CRITICISM OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION

Purpose of his Writings; Contentment with the Confederation;

Acceptance of the Federal Constitution-Criticism of this:

for its Composite Character; for its excessive Aristocracy,

demanding immediate Amendment; and for another evil

Fear of Elections for the Executive Chiefs and for Senators, and

Suggestions of future Amendments, in both the National

and State Governments, introducing Hereditary Features;

(Baselessness of his Argument)-His Monarchism-Dis-

avowal-Wonder it did not hinder his Election to the

Presidency-His Frankness contrasted with the Secrecy of

other Monarchical Federalists, notably Hamilton

THE THIRD PERIOD

RECONCILEMENT WITH REPUBLICANISM

Acquiescence in the Success of the American Experiment, and

Willingness to discard all Hereditary Features—But keeps

up appearances with Theoretical Phrases-Contrast with

HIS TYPICAL SCHEME OF GOVERNMENT

The Two Classes; whether to be kept Distinct; the Upper Ones

Plutocratic, the Executive Representative of Both-Dura-

tion of Offices—(Objections to the Negative—Unworkable-

ness of the Balance).

SUBSEQUENT HISTORY OF THE THEORY

SIMILAR VIEWS SINCE HELD BY OTHERS

Abroad, by Fox-At home, by other Federalists-Hamilton,

Morris, and others in the Conventions—Opposed by Frank-

lin and others-Entertained and rejected by Jefferson;

reversely by Madison-Opinions of Members in the New

York Convention, of Noah Webster, and others, without

mention of Adams

COMPARISON WITH CALHOUN

Resemblances-Differences-Nullification, and Dual Executive 322

THE GENERAL ARGUMENT FOR BICAMERALISM

Adams's main and minor Reasons-Trifling Attitude still main-

tained-Division of the Arguments-Vitiated by Neglect of

Constitution-Second Chamber not the only Preventive of

Excesses, a Constitution being another; nor of Hasty Legis-

lation, a Council being another-Inexact Appeal to Ex-

perience- The English System not Unicameralism Proper

-Need of Experiments

TENDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE, AND

The United States Senate ostensibly for a Compromise, really to

check Democracy-Now Beginning to serve this Purpose;

Less so the State Senates-The Upper Chamber should be

Made Over into a Council-The Nature of the Council, and

its Transformations; also in America-Need of Reducing the

Senate's Legislative Powers-As a Council, it would Mediate

between the Three Departments, partaking of Each-Reor-

ganization of its Composition-Likewise in the States-

Sesquicameralism has the Good without the Evil of Bicam-

eralism-Correct View of Government.

THE POLITICAL SCIENCE OF JOHN ADAMS

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