The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-04-02
From the Baltimore Sun.
EXECUTIVE SECRECY.

liant Of Confidence The ResponsibiIiiv
Il mere has oil late been manifested in some quar-
lers, very anxious desire to obtain from the Pre-
silent certain Information relative to the Orepon
question, which he has seen fit SO far to keen To
himself; and those who have in vain soupbt a full
declaration OF his plans, purposes and views have
moi been sParing in their of his impcnetra-
bIlity and his silence. Is this exactly rigbt2 IL
may seem 80 to those who have no confiJence in
him, and who would fan proclaim that want of
confidence to the world but TO other eyes il
wears far different aspect. Patriotism would
seem to suggest the propriety of Strengthening
rather than embedding The arm of the national Ex-
ecniive, when engaged in controversy with
another government and surely 1t can add but
little to his strength in the present instance 10
manifest the opinion that he is not fit to be trust
ed with State secrets, of which he is the leoi-
mate depository. On the contrary, it tends 10 d.
mlnish his strength, and increase that of his an
tagonis, to the evident detriment of the cause.
with the advocacy and prosecution of which, no
is constitutonally entrusted
But it is alleged that Congress wants lioht
which he alone give, but which he improper
~ wIiholds. TO this it may be answered, that
~ no en!ghtens Congress as desired, he will en-
lghten the British government also; and i, ap.
pears to be his opinion that TO do 80 at this time
would be lmprudent, and detrimental to the inter.
esis OF the country, 80 far they are involved in
the present controversy. There is, however in
his retention of his State secrets no eydence ofa
want ot courtesy To the legislative branch of the
government; which always pays respect to his
legitimate privilege Of reservation, in the Ian.
guage OF It's resolutions calling for special inorma
ton relative TO the state Of our foreign relations
or OF any portion of them.
Not being among those who can
" See what is to be seem"
we can see nothing censurabe in the exercise by
The Executive, of his constitutional RIGHT TO keen
10 himself as much OF his own mind, as in his
Judgment he ought, consistently with due regard
Tor The public interest. The responsibility is
with him and should The consequences of what
MS censors would denominate his coniumaciOUs
silence, prove disastrous, in any degree injuri
Gus to The general welfare" he will be held to
a rigid accountability for his Stewardship
Ionchlug this. however, he seems to have no ap.
PrehensIon; If he had, why should he voluntarily
assume, or rather retain that responsibility which
ne could so easily, at the behost of censoria sug-
gestlon, transfer TO other shoulders7 But he
seems perfectly willing to do his own work, bear
his own burthens, and leave others the perform.
ance Ut their own dntles and the assumption Of
their appropriate responsibility. The New York
Tribune, touching this point, has the following re-
marks, which we append in conclusion =
" While, therefore, (for reasons previously sta
'ed) we would greatly prefer that the Executive
'''Nu'" PuiHuo uih6I6ht pOlCy ITOn thdt WHICH
renders Aiming expedient. we yet trust that since
The necessity exists, it will be provided for, no
matter how created. The President is legili-
maiely the chief repository of all confidential in
FORMATION, from whatever quarter transmitted, re-
veaIing danger to the National we'll being When
ne calls for armament let Congress provide them
without hesitation, casting on him the RESPONSE
billty. Let il never be said that War found
nnprepared because Congress, and especially the
Wings in Congress, neglected or disregarded the
Presidents recommendation to prepare for it
Polk AND DALLAS BABIEs-A few weeks
since lady in Pennsylvania, presented her liego
lord with pair of twins, which she Immediately
named, one Polk, the other Dallas Directly
following this event, Mrs Kent, Of Virginia,
had pair Of twins, and they ere christened,
one Polk, the other Ballast There appears 10
he strife among the women to see which shall
yield the government the most support and tfere
IS no telling whatsuch doings will lead to.-Key-
stone.