Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-06-05


placed in that body, it authorized the Presi-
dent to raise $4,000 volunteers, using that
term merely to distinguish them from the reg
ulars of the U. s. Army. Acting by the au-
thority Of Congress, and in accordance with
the power conferred upon him by the Consti-
tuition, he issued his proclamation, and made
a demand upon the States for their respective
quota of troops, either willing or compulsory
TO be raised by invitation or by drqfting.-
Did the President in this transcend the
bounds Of his authority? None will deny
but he can name the Section and Article of
the Constitution by which his course is iusti-
fed. Is not the same true of the Governors
OF the respective States Had the EXecu-
tive Of Ohio any other alternative than COM
pliance with the requisition of the President,
or did his oath of office leave it optional with
him either to obey or disregard it? These
ore questions which many are beginning to
discuss, and we trust that the present state
of affairs will lead them to ascertain more full
ly the relation they sustain to the government,
and reveal the nature of the authority they
have, through the Constitution, invested in
their government agents. These discussions
will lead to the adoption Of Disunion doctrine,
every conversion to which will weaken the
support of slavery in the North, and thus may
the acquisition Of Texas work the downfall
of the system it was expected to sustain.
Some who yet reverence the Constitution,
who almost worship that bond of American
Union, feel that the war with Mexico is a
base, an infamous one, and would fain avoid
the responsibility that rests upon those who
brought it upon the nation and who are now
prosecuting it. But how can they do it while
they remain in the government? The Presi-
dent has no other authority but that which
they have given him he acts as their agent,
and they enable him so TO do. Is Congress
responsible for the war? Who but the peo-
pie gave that body the discretionary power
"to declare war;! In whose behalf was it
acting, whose agents were its members! If
the voters created it and invested ii it with life
and power, upon whom rests the original re-
ePolNoiolll'J VI 10 dCtlOhS no empower
ed the Governor to demand military service
Of the people; by whose authority does he
call them to the battlefield and command
them TO peril their lives in behalf of the IN
ion! The theory of this government is, that
all the power it possesses, it derives from the
people, that Its authority is delegated, that its
officers are the peoples servants, not their
rulers, and that the power which made, has
the right to change, modify, or destroy it,
The conclusion therefore irresistibly follows,
that they who created, and from time 10 time
re-create, both the State and National govern
ments, consent 10, or agree to aid in carrying
out all measures which those governments
adopt, if they do not violate Constitutions
provisions.
1t is true, Polk can throw off all future re-
sponsibility, BY resigning the office of Presi-
dent, Eaftley all Gubernatoria responsibility
by v~acating the Governors chair; but their
responsibility as citizens, as voters, would
still exist, and neither they nor any other sup.
porters of the American Union, can absolve
themselves from the daily accumulating re,
sponsibilities of this war, until they sever
their connection with the government, anC
refuse longer to strengthen that power which
has caused this nation 10 become the by
word Of a mocking earth"