Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-03-31

e"' U. the Senate And whereas, silent acguies
cehGe ON The part Of this body may at some future time
oe urawn INTO dangerous precedent; Therefore,
1'esoteed' That the President of the United State
uoes moi constintionaly possess either the right or tie
o"er 10 appoint Ambassadors other public Ministers
out with the advice and consent of the Senate exccp
""e' vacancies may happen in the recess.
TUESDAY, JAN. 3, 1896.
Inc Senate proceeded to the consideration of the
mot'on submitted on the 28th December relative 10
Tue extent OF the Executive Power; and
ordered, That il lie on the table.
MONDAY. JANUARY &c, 1896.
Nir. MACON, from the Committee on Foreiyn Rela-
IONS, 10 whom was referred, on the 28th December
The message Of the President of the United States no.
m'naung Richard C.. Anderson and John Sergeant 10
be Envoys Extraordinary aud Ministers Penipotsntia
~ 10 the Assembly Of the American Nations at Pana.
'ra; and on the 10th instant. Message conmunica-
s certain documents relating thereto, submitted the
following report
That they have examined the subject to them refer
rco' with the most profound attention. and lave hes
lowed upon all the consideration demanded by its no.
'eiy' deiicacy and high Importance the character
and future destnies of the United States In making
ths examination, the Committee found themselves not
little embarrassed at first, by the circumstance an
nouhced BY the President. in his message 10 both Hon.
SEES al Congress, at the commencement of the pesent
session. that he had already accepted the invitation
gwen to the United States, by of the American
hePuohcs 10 be represented at the contemplated Con-
Sress oil American Nations about 10 be assembled al
made by the Secretary of State TO the dtrrcnt minis
tiers OF these Republics that express reference was
hfauc 10 Tie concurrence or the Senate the ndIs
pensaoie preliminary TO the acceptance of this invita-
on; ana hndng, IN the present message of the Prcsi
dent, the explicit assurance, that lie had not thought
proper 10 take step carrying this measure into eff
ect until he could ascertain that his opinion of its ex-
pedency wonid concur with that of bor branches OF
the Legislature; the Committee believed il became n
part OF the duty they owed TO the Senate and would
tie evidence of the proper respect due the President,
'a' they should fully and freely examine into the pro-
prety OF the proposed measure, the cxpedency adop
ing which was the subject that the Senate was thus
invited TO deliberate upon, and to make known their
opinion.
Considerations OF much higher Importance than even
,nese' lidnced the COMMITTEE to adopt this Course
In the ordinary progress of their proceedings the Sc
nate can rarely, 1t ever ind il either necessary pro
per- TO inquire TO the objects pectcd to be attain
ed by appointments 10 which their advice and consent
IS asked As 10 all offices created by statute in which
hcse objects are defined, and their attainment positive
~ required, the single question arising before c Sc
nate, must refer merely TO the fitness ct the
sons nominated by the President fulfil such dutics-
The same will generally be found the sole inouiry ne
cessary to be made IN filling up vacancies happening
III pre- existing foreign missions, designed to MAINTAIN
lie customary relations and intercourse of rcnGsL,p
and commerce between the United States and o;her
nations very different, however is the case when
Is proposed TO create Offices by nomination. or to
despatch ministers TO foreign States, the first time
or to accomplish by such missions, objects not specia
~ disclosed. under circumstances new peInliar ard
highly important In all these cases instead OF conf
ming their inquiries to the mere fitness If the
nominated to ill such Offices is only the right bu,
the duty OF tic Senate, to determine, previously as TO
the necessity and proprcty of creating the Offices them
selves and in deciding these questions not ONLY tho
objects for the accomplishment by which it proposed
10 create them, hut every other circumstance CON
ncced with such measure, must necessarily and
nnayoldably become subject of their serious exami
nation.
! This right, conferred by the Constitution upon ,be
Senate, the only drect check upon the power possess
sed by the President, IN this respect, which. relieved
from this restraint, would authorize him create and
consumtate all the political relations of the United
States, at his mere will And in the theory Of their
government, the high desnies of the PeopIe Of the
United States are never 10 be conhded to the unres.
trained discretion of any single man even the yysest
and best Of their fellow citizens. il becomes solemn
duty which the Senate 10 the overeign States here
represented most seriously TO investigate all the cir
cumstances connected with the novel measure now
proposed by the President, to the expedjcncy Of
adopting which, they have been invited to aid him with
! their counsel and advice.
Entertaining these opinions, in the performance of
the duty which they believe has been required BY the
Senate and anxious manifest TO the President their
high respect, by complying fully with the wish which
he has expressed upon this subject the Committee will
proceed to investigate the circumstances connected
with tue measure proposed and disclosed by the tocu.
ments 10 them referred, most deeply impressed with the
W
! bly, result frornit.
The first question which suggested itself to the Com
mttee, at the very threshold Of their investigations
what COgcnt reasons existed, for adopting this new
and uDtred measure, much in conflict with the whole
course of policy uniformly and happily pursued bv the
United States from almost the very creation of this
Government 10 the present hour BY the principles o.
this policy, incGcated by wsest statesmen in for
rner days and approved by the experience of all sub
scquent time, tue true interest Of the United States wa.
supposed TO be promoted, by avoiding all enanglino
connexions with any other nation whatsoever. Stead
y pursuing this course, while they have been desirous r.
manifest the most cordial good win to all nations anr
to maintain with each relations of perfect arDy anc
! OF commerce, regulated and adjusted by the rule
OF the most fair, equal, and just reciprocity the Uni
ted States have hitherto seduIousy absiained fruu
assocIshng Themselves in any other way, even witt
those nations for whose welfare the most lively sen
sibty has been. at all times, felt and otherwise mani
/ tested.
During the conflict for freedom and independence
IN which these States of America were so long Ell
gagged with their former Sovereign, although every
heart in the United States beat high in sympathy with