Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-04-08
The New Mexican Tariff.


In this mode and thus augment
and cripple the enemy. On the contrary, regard
eminenty wise aud exPedent But 90 very decided
y doubt the right of the Erseupe establish du
tios-n other words tariff law-without the pre-
Vous assent Of Congress, the iato making pOroer.
The Unon in several elaborate editorials clearing how
oeia impress has ondehvored foresall public
Judgment this important question Its evident that he
President and his Cabinet themselves without
strong doubt OF their 10 adopt this and
they deemed necessary accompany the annuncisuon
that had been determined upon with argument
y the country that although be within the constr
tnsaaI Of EreeHpe roioers results ne.
ccssariy beigerent right and that is explicitly
toned TO the language OF the Unon) by the unwrt-
law of nations" II there the least analogy be-
the powers conferred upon the Executive department,
of the American government and those OF European mon
nches-even that Of Great Britain, which nearly re-
sembles own.-ihc argument of the Union would be
conclusive But unless shall be assumed that the Pres
dent Of the United States Sorereign, the European
acecpaton OF that term, wholly fails meet the issue
Sovereignty. the United Safes resides the Execu
live 10 the liberal aud popular European political
systems but the people and the Representatives Of the
people alone exercise the rights which IN Europe at
taeh by necessary consequence, TIC CroWE. Hence in
time OF seaport falling the possession Of Great
Britain, for example, act Of Parliament is not ueccs-
sary preliminary the adoption Of such custom house
Fuanons he conquerot NAV deem necessary and they
may b. lee,ly suihorized BY Order in Council But,
the Uaei States, where the Pres dent deryes his pow
-, well peace, from the Cozstuftoa We
hamby shai the essentially different Ir
Great Britain. "OrIoi IN Council may suspend even the
operation OF tariff English ports bat IT vii no; Be
P-rieaded that The Presten, and his Cabinet may e1er,
similar power. Il vii not be claimed that II Con-sss
had failed system the President eous
himself after the adjournment Of thsi body have dEeset
and enforced tar OF daes the government OF cur own
power TO enact taTif la,r-for his recent act Is neither
les than ths-ot the guidance Of the collectors
OF the at NsrieaE ports temporarily in our poe
session We are arguing the question, wall be pcsee.v-
ed. purely Of p0nsT aud OF roey coneurrinc
DO, in the erpedieney and propey Of the measure
itself. The authority deduced from the law Of nations i
conclusive in application SJyEREiexs but unless II
be admitted that that erm broades, sense is appcs-
bic Mr. Polk, the conclusion drawn the law OF ma
tons is wholly untenabIe.
1t may be commended, that IT, in the progress Of this un
fortunate which, less the repeated violations OF
the Constitution than in many other respects Is destined
10 the with which this county has eve,
yet been visited the President to be ssitened in the
exercise OF the powers that by the laws nations attach
u "e eoRqueTOT" the efficiency OF begerant opera
tions must be essentially parayzed. This Is true and
for one, VIC arc glad tina, It is The Constitution Wa
not framed, the Executive powoEs defined with
view TO Of e0H7Ues which the wise trainers OF that
instrument venture TO say had contemplated as
possible But nevertheless, our GouerAEeHf-bv
which IRE do not mean the E1seufrue department of iii.
Invested Of the powers necessary assertion and
vindlcauon OF national rights, the oAgency so
little anticipated by It's founders. CoNGREss the war-msk
Tag power is clothed with all authority necessary to the
efficient prosecution even OF war o conquest But as the
President has uutped the authority involve us IN con-
hic with foreign nation presume he thinks 1t very
trivial matter follow up that by similar and not le
MAR tutrng 4 tn ID.
IL appears by the declaration OF the Washington Union,
the authorized cXpOunder only OF the acts but of tL
purposes Of the Executive that the determinations ust
officially announced, establish tariff OF duties for tho
Mexican pors In our possession, 10 one upon which
the Executive has matuTely deiberaItd. having ia-
deed had IL many months under udyiscmenL Indeed
VIC are informed ha instructions sent To our com
mandeIs the Pacific station, many months sine. t
levy and collect duties upon imports IN all the ports on
fhat coast Of which they might obtain possession. WHY
then, nsk, did tho Pres.dea ask CgHqrsss gt b..
late session, establish ~ only mode io ,u
judgment in which % can be rghIuiy d5uoa taJ o. gg
ties applicable the things which bad even lsr
arisen II be doubted that that body y.uld b,y,
promptly sanctioned his recommendation and thereby rem
dersd unnecessary the stretch II ExrcUryE P00fr
which has - earuly increased. H sni increasing aut
which, Il 10 be restrained within ts consuutionoIy ,
6aed Limit, will eieeiualy rev1uuonze our system aa,
it into Elective Dlspousm. WAY did he ,s
main silent, though celebrating On this very measure n
al Congress adjourned, and then proceed By 40 Er.cv
edet, 90 enact farF lar tor the ports Nczel7 TIN
question derives ts importance alze,hcr from the srp,
ton Of power involved But we forget We wen. t.r5
at very early period, that the Constitution has roo
10 do with the war Z" and numerous event. o ia B,,,,
have shown the truth Of this bold assertion II bas rd.,
almost every step, been sigma by an utter
OF that insrumontin the annexation OF whole Pf,yire,
by the proclamation Of our Commodore and Gsneras-
the organization OF territorial" Governments and r Oh
appointment Of Legislative, Executive and judicial Office
administer hCm--in the solemn mockcry OF admin.str
ing oath. Ol allegiance Mexican citizens and n s,.
ug them from their duty obey their own government
pfocaming them, 10 advance. "JRAroRs u they shou
be found m against the invaders Of their country
aud IN various other modes All these acts be 10 fomen
borcd. like hatupon which commenting. have be-
done, not IN pursuance Of any authority derived from
Representatives Of the States and Of the People in Co
gross assembled, but in obedience % OEurEs PROV n
ESrrUrivt-lhat department which rapidly drawing viii
grasp 40 the functions Of Governments not more
is initiative aud u absolute Vcto than by its pfogr,
svc" snd bold usufpations. How long will the people
blnd 10 the imminent danger which threatens them irr
this souroo-tho moro imminent. from the mptrc,pu
degrees By which the President La4 augmented and COM
hdatcd hB powers. and n tho plausible prcte-fs
which HE usufpauOns justified end dofonded-ou
ciaily IN time Of war, when the yranrs plea Nsc,ssf
often and successfully invoked 90 conceal Oh
enofmiy and their dangerl
~ We insert the address Of ''Junius' to the friends
Mr.. Calhoun iu Yrenis though we are very much ncir
60 nk, that II he he's any friends le they are scare
worth counting. Most u them have been 'whippcd
by kug Caucu', boz order escape tho other slernatv,
Gen Jaekson's great maxim. We repeat what we hi
heretofore said, "ihs Chvary" extinct 10 Virginia ~
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