The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-27
TYLER'S USURPATION-THE PUBLIC
SENTIMENT,


1t is gratifying to witness the feeling of ndig-
nation which has been excited in all parts of the
country by the hghhanded and reasonable con.
duet Of the President, as developed in his recent
message to the Senate, in answer to the requsi-
ton of that body. That the most unpopular,
weak, and contemplate man who ever governed
a free people should dare to take step which is
universally regarded as tantamount, not merely
to declaration of war, but to the commence
ment Of hostiities, upon his individual response
bility, against the wishes Of the whole people, is
marvellous indeed Nonthing but political des-
peraton, recklessness, and folly, could have die
tated measure at once SO atrocious, SO illegal,
and so insulting 70 . free people. The newspa.
pers in every quarter demanding the impeach-
ment Of the Executives punishment which he
richly deserves, but the policy of which, at this
time, may be questioned Even the friends of
annexation-those, at least, who have any sanity
left-have expressed their disgust at this gross
usurpatlon of power by Tyler. He unblushing-
~ declares that he consider any hostiles move of
Mexico towards Texas, pending the ratification
of the the treaty of annexation, as violat on of
the rights Of this country and has directed the
commanders of military and naval forces,
which he has sent to the frontiers of Texas to
act accordingly. He says that the treaty, being
signed by the Executive, only" wants the con-
sent of the Senate to become the law of the land.
Was ever such impudence heard Of AS if a
judge should say, have pronounced judgment
in the case, and it is only necessary for the clerk
to enter it upon the docket TO make it complete. >
We verify believe that such stretch of authori-
ty, accompanied by language SO naughty and pre-
sumptuous, by the sovereign Of England or
France, would bring her or his head to the block.
1t is true that, in those countries, the sovereign
is empowered to declare war, and, therefore, no
paralel'case could occur there but should one
of those crowned heads usurp authority, in any
other particular, to the extent to which John
Tyler has done in this instance, we repeat that
he or she would be hurled from the throne. Then
is it not passing strange that President of the
United Statesmen unpopular, inefficient,
and reckless President of the United States-may
dare do, without let or hinderance, what the
proudest;monarchs would shudder at!
We are far from believing that this presidential
immunity from punishment argues want of
DPAis III lhe people. On the contrary, we Delleve
that no better evidence could be given of the
capability OF our people for self-government 1t
proves that ours is calm, rejecting people, who
are slow TO resort to those extreme measures of
redress, which, in removing temporary evils,
might permanently injure the admirable political
system under which we live or, at any rate,
bring it into disrepute. We have now lived un-
der the admirable framework of the constitution
for nearly sixty years, during which time not the
least jarring to the system has occurred in trans
ferring power from one set of hands to another
Every President has lived out, and served out,
his constitutional term but one, who has been
taken from us by an act of Providence The
Executive power which devoved upon the consti-
futlonal substitute of the lamented Harrison. at
his death, was assumed as quietly by the present
incumbent as if it had been patrimoniaI estate
resulting to him by the death of his father. No,
compliant was uttered in any quarter, bv anv |
party--a most gratifying evidence of the wisdom |