The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-15
aThc Shirt OF Conquest. -

The only charge of the Federal Organ against the Ad-
mnisaton which yet remains to be noticed is, that the
war has been waged in spirit OF conquest, and by a
uupation OF power The sole proof Of this charge is
alleged to consist in the dongs OF naval and military
officers in the conquered territory. We say the sole proof
because the citations which the neigencer" has made
from the "Unoa," in an attempt to show that threat
enel against Mexico of conquest are too plainly
garbed and in themselves, even as garbled, too ncon
elusive and indeed too uncomfortable, require or re-
ceive any attention That trick will not the Fed
eFaists at all, and only shows their want of material
Now 10 the domgs in California and Mexico, as au-
thorzed by The President have already cited the law
as settled by the Supreme Court, which goes far beyond
lhem and here, for the present. rest case in re-
specific the allegation Of usuped po,gsrs. .....
In fact the Integencer' substantially admits, in its
article Of this morning. that our answer this point is
conclusive, in admitting that under the decision of the
Supreme Court, govsrnn,ent had, BY the laws of
TONS clearrigh TO do all that has been done in the
conquered territory in the legitimate exercise of the war
power. The point OF the "Intclligencer is, that
though our government might, time of war, rightu-
y d. in the conquered territory all that has been done,
YET that the President had no right the Executive Of
to authorize or direct the doing it. Here is the Inteli
gcncers' admission, and its new point;
1.-The organ of the Administration in reply Us, sup
poses that authority which it cites in the OF the
United States Rice Wheat 2JS usains the Executive
~ s organization Of the governments Of New Mexico and
laIOnla. But moments consideration Will show that
me opinion OF the Supreme Court in that case does not IN
tn, least sanction these us,rpaiions of the Executive
Daring tlla late with England, Castne, port in
c'emy until the peace While thus occupied, the English
de; and after the peace, question was made whether
the importer was not under the laws of the United States,
Blush government; and ,l,e court held that he was not.
Vow no one has disputed the right OF the con1ueror
ompose laws upon the conquered But the inquiry Is in
our government, whence must these laws proceed? The
answer 49, from the law-rnaling power.
In England the sovereignty IL in the king and lie, by
his orders in council, is authorized make commercial
regulations 70 meet the cxigcncies OF his government; and
conquered country comes specially undsr his jarisdicon
but can a President of the United States claim this
Which not I to BE- y z that s sswaTng
omer Is ~ Congress Does the warpower give this a,l'
power Is in Congress and not in the President Whence,
then, does he derive It! What apology is there for gross
usurpation !"
The answer to all this is obvious and entirely conclu
ve What has been done in the conquered territory by
our officers, authorized by the President has been
done solely with view to the safc-keepng and regula-
ton Of the territory during the 1t is al, in effect
and 60 nomne provisional and temporary, and necessa-
F part OF wise and just military occupancy Of those
places until pactfcation, or until the aw-making power
under the constitution shall otherwise decree Now in
admitting that our government may righHuly, and as
part OF our lawful military occupancy, direct such provis
ona measures as have been taken the Integencer has
admitted away its whole case. The acts which may BE-
0one justly as part of military occupancy during tn
nr are acts OF military authority They to be done
oy the Commanderin- Chief of our forces His is thu
military authority to do them They may be overrulec
ana changed by the awmaking power But till so over
iuel II not repugnan to the law Of nations, they stano
d. acts demanded during wlr for IFS due prosecution
with which the President is charged Has the President
under the constitution, right to order General Taylor
Keep safely and in safe place, till pacifcaton, thu