Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-08-20

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his ascendant over his lawful superiorsl IT,
such were the design, it has, for au.ht we
know, completely succeeded. have heard,
that this contest for supremacy, has been !
adjusted to the satisfaction of the executive. |
h"0so that no a,oncmcnt has been made for
she insult and injury to tl,e nation. The
dignity OF the government is part GIFTS au-
thoritv, with which it is clothed as witt, all
the rest; not for the personal advantage or
honour of ministers. but for tho public good.
l ask your attention now to the events of
the present year. Gen. Jackson being a.
gain ordered to assume the command OF
our southern army III person, and to chastse
and curb the Seminoles, the State of Geor-
Sia was doomed to behold his presence in
the field. The Constitution of the United
States, expressly reserves to tho state govern
ments, the appointment Of the officers of
thelr respective militia. and the constitution
OF georgia, tikC the constitution or laws Of
every other State Ill the Unon( appoints the
EoVcrnor, eT OHfCio, commander in chief of
ITS forces, regular and militia I, is an an
thoflty, indeed, essential to the existence of
the state sovcregn,ies, and TO the integrity
ot our system. To the astonishlnent of the
nation, Gen. Jackson declares that his com-
mand virtually suspends the constitution of
Georgia, in respect to the military authority
respects, we shall know when occasions shall
occur, as in Louisiana, TO dcvelope the full
extent OF his PROHIBITIONS. Governor Rabun
mad issued an order to militia officer never
doubtlng, dare say. his own constitutional
and lawful power. The order was mos, vile
~ abused. General Jackson, not content
with assuming the power OF rcdressinu the
abuse (tor that was All usurpa,on) questions
ANA denies the authority Of the order itself
In h'S letter May Z, 1919, he tells Govern
or habun, III plain terns-''You, sir. as Go
vernon OF state within my military division,
nave no right to give q military order Wills
lam in the field Behold the monstrons
consequences of this broad and bold prcfen-
sion, If 1t should obtain! Should an inSur
fccti"n occur III any OF the states belonging
~ ne dIu'S'on Of The Somtb, while General
jackson Is IN the field, the Governor of the
STATE, aud OF course every inferior officer of
the militia, must patiently endure the horrors
OF scrvllc war, till his high behcsts can be
known! SIfs, cannot reprcss the sentiment
oi astonlshment | feel, that the legislature
or the representatives of Georgia in Con
greSs have not demanded his Immediate ar
rest and trial
But in truth We have the best reason for
hcIeVing that III General Jacks0n's opinion
Whenever he is at the head OF an army, all
the powers of every branch of our govern
mcnts, state anil federal. are suspended or
transferred to hin,.-ITis instructions for the
conduct OF the war aglnst the Seminoles NAV
De gathered from the Presidents late n1os
sage to Congress; nc was authorized 10 Dur
sue the savage enemy into the Spanish terri
tory, II he should take refuge there. takinr
care not to encroach on the rights Of Spain.
According to the laws Of nations. it is ;,bso.
,uteiy unlawful TO attart an enemy i'll Il nou-
frai country, OF commit III it any other hos
tllIty; but 1t a neutral afford a retreat to on>
t'elllgercnt, and allow him time to recover.
and watch favorable opportunity Of renew
ing his attack on the territories OF the other,
that other may march into the neutral terri
tory IN quest of his enemy. The orders
which were given 10 Gen. jackson (as un-
Gerstand them) authorized him to carry war
INTO FLORIDA against the ScminolC<. but not
ia commit hostilitics against the subjects Of
SPAN; and his corrcspondence shows, that he
hImseIt understood them in the same Iipht
acquit the Executive, therefore. OF intend
ing violation of the Constitution. in waoinr
war without previous declaration of il by
Congress The merits Of Gcu. Jackson's
conduct may be stated il Il few words. Dis
regarding his orders, usurping The powers Of
Congress, which alone by our constitution is
capable of declaring war, he took St Marks
by assault, and Pensacola by capituiation:
The first on the It'll Of April, and the latter on
the 9th of MAY. Whether in the interval
"t nifty days which elapsed between the sell
cures OF the two posts, the Executive had
Tune to get intelligence OF lis proceedings.
and send now orders to the General? vile
fhcF Il did send him such orders! and who
,itcr ho was instructed to persist in or to for
bear further aggrcssons against Spain? are
questions which well deserve a solution. br1t
winch are not to be discussed in the actual
.,atc OF the information before the public
Tbs only we know, that the President, while
70 Prcservc peaceful rotations With Spain, heI
d,isavo|s General Jacksop's proceedings, al
me same tine excuses aud app'aods that Of
nicer himself for these very acts. VVhctherI
tic circumstances, which cdinc to General