The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-08
FUT INT UnOH
THE PRESIDENT AND THE MILITIA.
For the Union.

For the Union.
THE PRESIDENT AND THE MILITIA.
This is the heading of the patriotic repast for the
country Sunday readers of the Saturday "eader" of
the lnteligencer. The lnteigencer talks Of temper,
and yet rails at the "calumniss Of hireings.n Hard
terms Yet these caumnies not directed against
our country; these "hatiings" under possible
imputation of foreign pay. The Alexandria Gazette
and the Petersburgh lntelligencer endorse the good
character and patriotism Of the Intelligencer The
lntelligencer will do the same by either of these
patriotic prints upon fair notice; and yet neither
the praser nor the praised advance an inch in
honest repute with the public. Ii is the conduct of
the Intelligencer which condemns it. II evidently
writhes under the imputation of course con-
demnatory of its own country, and Of advocacy
of open enemy. It's violence of contortion arises
from more than the impu,ation from without 1t is
the knowledge that facts sustain the charges Of
suspended patriotism and lukewarmness in matters
above the reach of party. The question is, whether
the President delegate the power to call out the
militia in case Of apprehended invasion. He can
not, undoubtedly, according to the lnellgencer If
such delegation can defend the country, and annoy
their friends, the Mexicans. IL it would be any
convenience to Mexico that our troops must wait
for the Presidents order from Washington, before
an arm could be raised against invader, then
surely the order must be waited for. 1t would be
death to u.s. and most convenient to Mexico; there
fore, according to the usual logic of the Intelli-
gencer, it is the only constitutional course. The
old tune of HE Integenccr used to be, that all
power was monopolized by the President. The
"whig' doctrine was restraint of executive author
ity. Ofice-holders ought TO be independent of the
appointing power--that famous language was al
legged to have fallen from the tongue Of tyrant: 81
take the responsibility"
Now, the President is delegating his high presi-
dental power 1.-THE militia be urgently needed--if
the proper commanding authority Of the State
respond to the callf the people swarm (seeing the
necessity even without orders, to the common de-
-rolttnteers--irhom does IL harm? 1t is all
bagatele. But, even in this, the lntelligencer is
where it most unfortunately ever is--condemning
its country and its ountrymen--invoking sym
pathy for, and preparing the defence of, enemy
who have received at our hands only forbearance
for multiplied INJURIES and whose cruetes and
crimes upon men of our own and lineage are
the dishonor of civilized warfare and the execraon
of mankind.
The Inteigencer is rabid upon the terms used
against them; praises most immoderately the prints
which praise them-afiliated presses at their
elbow-not superior TO their influence. The strong
language condeinnatory of the nelligencers course
awakens their wrath. Their ire may well be ex-
cused No abuse is SO provoking as that which the
conscience admits to be deserved The Intelligencer
boasts character of thirty years. standing 1t is
much to be regretted that that character, unlike
good wine, has not improved by keeping. v.