Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-12-31

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duous task TO reconcile his conduct with the
constitution and laws of the Z. States. The IA
theirs otthe Republic, sensible from profound ex-
rerence In human nature, how acute and
prompt those who WELD International force, have
ever approved themselves, in finding or making
occasions to employ it, carefully denied the war
making power to the Executive, and confided
IT TO the representative of the people. Had
The President ordered Commodore Porter to do
what he has done q presume) of his own indie
pendent will; do not hesitate to say he would
have been guilty an Improbable offence. Is
Commodore Porter at his pleasure, TO exercise
a power, which the constitutions has denied to
the wisdom of the chief Magistrate. Cannot
we send a naval or military officer on ordinary
professional service, without giving him right
To enbroii the peace OF the nation! Common
dore Portcr's descent upon Porto Rico was sc-
tual war; and this nation would soon feel that;
1t was, if Spain were not humbed from her ior-
mer pride, and shorn of all her strength aud
glory.
After long reflection on ihe subject, can
conceive but single case, in which a naYai Off
Ger has the rightful power TO employ the public
force under his command. against the subleets
oil nation at peace with US. II he be himself
attacked, he may and for the honor OF lbs flag
ought 10 repel force BY force
IL is wonderful to observe the force OF pre-
cedent. Cen jackson waged war against
SPAN; ms conduct excited surprise aud alarm,
tnodore Porter wages war against Spain: and
unless l can rouse the public attention, tue iacte
Is likely TO pass without no,ice.-Gen..Jacilso son,
Tor his reward Will probably be exalted to the
first Office in the Republic. Commodore Por-
ter, for aught know, may be his. successor to
that high honor. In my opinion, the Comno-
dore is at least as deserving of 1t the Gen.
has every one of his good qualities, and is
exempt from many of his faults.
lthas been a common defence for every Off
Ger who commits any extravagance, TO say
he acted on has responsibility. The defence
amounts to confession OF quit, and claim to
impunty. The only way to cure these gen
tieInen oil tins dangerous propensity to ex-
erclse Irregular and unbounded discretion, upon
Their responsibility, is TO hold item regidly to
tie consequences of the responsibility they as
sumo. We shall then soon cease to hear of
such Irregularities and should no longer.
be insulted with the apology, which is worse
than the offence itself.
Let no man suppose, that entertain the least
annosIty towards Commodore Porter, or thatI
underYaiue the real merit of his professional
character, much more that | am ienoran; of it.
II IS precisely because JIG is an officer OF rank
and high distinction, that most dread thc per
nicous Influence of bis example esteens and
respect our naval officers am eTa feful TO them
for the glory they have won tor thcil country.
but viii not let poison be extracted from
their laurcs, deadly to pubic peace and to cons
Siitutioua liberty. would have them wa rned, +
| by timely corrective, against the indulgence
OF needless temerity which their most partial
f'iends may palate bn, cannot Justify. and whics,
may forfeit the general love and confidence they
have 50 dearly earned. such are my feelings
towards the officers both OF the navy and army,
that should be sorry, for their own saISes 10
see item, placed in one scale, and the co,,Sti-
tuition in the other. The people (,choece1 may
be President would, assuredly, soup decide the
balance They must soon discover, or rather
remember, that, Ia tolerate even a single and
TRIVIAL departure OF the MILITARY from the strait
est subordinaon to the laws, is in some Iuea-
sure TO impair the obligation Of them; 10 tolerate
many and greatirregnIarites of the Kind, is TO
dissolve it into thin air. Whenev er the time
shall come, when WILL may usurp the place of
Law, with impunty and without question, the
nation wiz have ceased to he free.
JOHN HA1IPDEN.