The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-01-10

purposes" That act bears date Sd
March, 1899. One Of its provisions,
the first one, declares, "the President
of the United States is hereby authori-
zed to resist any attempt on the part
of Great Britain to enforce by arms
her claims to exclusive jurisdiction
over that part of the state of Maine
which is now in dispute, between the
United States and Great Britain; and
for that purpose he is authorized TO en-
p!oy the naval and military forces of the
United States, and such portions Of
the militia as he may deem advisable to
call into service" Another section Of
the act authorizes the call by the Pres
ident of $4,000 volunteers; and anoth-
er section places ten millions of dollars
at the discretion Of the President.--
Then, another section completes the
work, and places the entire military re-
sources of the country in the hands Of
the President. That was what was
done on the Sd day of March, 1889, in
reference to this very power with
whom we are now negotiating.
1t was the act of the Roman Senate,
on the approach Of any great national
danger, to pass a resolution comforting
upon one Of the consuls similar powers.
Under that system, the consul was
armed with the entire monetary and
martial forces Of the republic to enable
him to meet the emergency. In fact,
he was created dictator, but for a linn
tied time; and in truth, it was not with
out some feelings of alarm that heard
this act first read in the Senate confer
ring upon the President of the United
States, and, if | mistake not, by unani-
nous vote Of this body, powers equiva-
lent to those conferred on the Roman
consuls, by which they were clothed
with dictatorial authority for period
of SIX months. Nobody in the United
States, however, expected at that time
that Great Britain would treat this act
as an act Of war. Nobody supposed
that the passage ofsuch an act, although
it was the strongest passed under this
government. would be of itself pro-
voking cause OF war. The act passed.
The negotiation and the question in dis
pute was suspended for the time
Now, what Is the case! The Pres-
dent of the United States sets forth
in his annual message to Congress the
state of the negotiation, so far as nego-
tiailon it could be called, up to the with
drawol on the part of the United States
of their asst proposition submitted TO the
British government. He admonishes
US, that, ior the present at least. moth
ing has been accomplished by negotla-
lion; and the Senator from Michigan,
in this state of affairs, rises IN his place
in the Senate, and does what every
Senator does every session OF Congress;
moves for committee Of inquiry; and
for that, it seems, has incurred the i'm
piled censure of the honorable Senator
from North Carolina. Sir, the resolu-
ton comes we'll from the distinguished
Senator from Michigan. 1t comes well,
because he has the double experience
of war and Of peace, individuality.
Because his age and character were
calculated to give to his movement i'm
portance which would commend these
resolutions 70 the serious attention OF
the committee to whom they were TO
be addressed. Is it then possible, |
W ouId ask, that we have arrived at that
Illuminating condition, that the Ameri-
can Congress is afraid--atraid to in
stitute an inquiry into the efficiency Of
the martial forces of the United States,
for the protection of the country? /
hope not. The Senator from North
Carolina has treated this question as
though it were equivalent TO declara-
ton Of war. He says he is disposed to
trust all this subject to the President.
What subject does he mean? The ne
gotiation? We see by the Presidents
Message, that he has gone about as far
as he can 90. The Senator must then
mean that the subject matter of these
resolutions is to be trusted to the dis
cretion of the President OF the United
States.
Mr.. MANeum. If the Senator will
permit me. | will make myself better
understood by him. The President un-
derstands the whole state of this ques-
ton; and from him desire all inquiries
into the state of our armaments to pro-
ceed; not from subordinates, but from
the Executive itself. '.a3 Ha
Mr.. CAss. The Senator uses the
term subordinates. May ! ASK to whom
he refers? s"
Mr.. MANGuM. mean the heads Of
departments, with whom the heads of
committees must necessarily have COM
nnun icotiOn ..... 4G.y