Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-04-16


| general in 'lese ILLEGAL and urconsIiiu
lionaI acts, the president of The Unite,
States became identified with his com
manding otiicsr, and approved an ac
which violated The constitution Of hi.
country.
II is unnecessary for me to dN ell on tlt
evils aud Inconvenience which must i,
any country attend Il system of ,eiaxe,
military discipline. They are already
sufficiently exemphiied in the conduct ol
IN the crosses, terms, the governor OF
Georgia-le received for this aci member
reprinand norccnsure He issued orders,
IN a time of profound peace, for the cap
ture Of ST. Augustine, without ,iic know
!edgc, consent o. appreciation of HE exc
cutiye OF he United States For Ibis
assumption OF "a power not vested III The
executive or his officers, but in The con-
gress al The u. States, lie commanding
general received neither reprimanh nor
cepsnrr. On the contrary, the address
oil The secretary at war on Ibis occasion
Is Father complimentary in lis character !;
more calculated Ia soothe and soften this
Hoispnr general, than 10 convey, as il
ought 10 have done, The decided ,iisappro-
baton The president of the u. s. o. an
act maniiesily unconstitutional, a. which.
according 10 the secreiary's own declara-
ton, might by possibility Involve Tie U.
states III war, hrSt will! Spain, and even.
i0ally with Great Britain.
AS another consequence Of the relaxed
state OF military discipline, Your officers
reSort Ia crowds TO the seat OF the natl
onai government, during the session ~flI,e
icgl>laiiVe body---Rlany OF them freely
indulge themselves in incorporate ami
indecorous observations on members of
me legislative body, whose opinions or
views differ from their own.-fame has
attributed many ofthese remarks 10 your
favored maj. general. Fame has also
given 10 military officers the polished
STRUCTURES on the report Of a committee
OF the Senate.-Under your administra-
ton tits iorihe first time discovered, that
Tie members oi the Legislative body are
subjected TO a,new species of responsible.
hty.-Ihe idea heretofore III this country
has been, tina a representative of the peo-
pie, was responsible for his Legislative
opinions 10 God alone, and to those who
conllde 10 him, their interests. Ii seems
now, however, that military men NAV
bask III the sunshine of executive favor.
ana instead ofmiliiary employmenis. for
the discharge Of the dulles of which ihey
are PAID by the public, devsie their les-
ure hours TO writing Incorporate and in
decent structures OH members Of the le-
gisiailve body, and SO lar from concealing
lheir disgrace IN thus violating tile prin-
ciples Oh free consultation, leave their
names with the National printer, as an
indirect invitation TO private combat.
Ibis course on the part Of your officers
VIII produce one good effect. ifyou fail
IN your duty on this occasion, it will ena.
Die The legislature TO decide whether the
present extraordinary course Of the Mill
iary arises from a defect i'm the regula-
tons for the army, or from want of firm
ness In The president of The United States
IN their execution.
The writer Of this ARTICLES far from be-
iievlDg that you can consider such a
course consistent with the principles of
civil liberty. But, sir, suppose The period
should arrive when This government, shall
e administered by president anxious on
Is forms Own aggrandiZemenI, and willing
for The purpose of prostating the other
coordinate branches of the government
10 hunt down certain obnoxious indjydu-
ais in either branch oftlie legislature. He
has nothing 10 do, but lei loose his militia
nv blood hounds aud the work is accom-
pliShed. When The tyrant OF Europe turn
Ell from their seals the legislative body of
F,aAce, an indignant world frowned on
The Sci--The usurpation was open and
dlrrct-li was executed al time when a
great military power ruled the destinies OF
France and gave law 10 the naii1n-This
assault OIL the freedom OF The legislature is
made under limited and well regulated
constitution, which secures as sacred
principle just subordination of the mil
Ilary 10 Tie civil powers. II is made i'm
III thiTd year Of the administration Of a
president elevated TO that station by the
voice Of fTeemen, and hOnored with their
confidence as q reward for his uni
form devotion TO the principles of civil
liberty.
As commander in chief of the armies
OF the United States, you are responsible
10 the community for every violation OH
the part OF military officers of the con.
siitullon Of The United States, or of the
sacred principles OF civil liberty. The
constitution of The u. S. vests in Congress
the exclusive power
To declare war
10 provide the means Of carrying il
on;
To regulate captures at sea and on
land
To provide for calling ont Tie militia TO
execute the laws, TO repel Invasion and
suppress Instruction
These powers exclusively belong 10 the
national legislature. Tie people have
wisely contded TO Congress the sword
andthe purse. No powers can be exercised
by The President of the United States in
relation 10 war, except such as are vested
ia him by Law. The attempt which has
been made 10 derive from The law OF
nations right 10 make war against a
foreign power without the sanction
Of Congress. is Justly calculated TO ex-