Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1847-04-22
The Union Of the Purse and the
sword COnSumnlat ted.

spread over the country, and has seized the favor
able moment for a new extension Of his preroga-
tive. He is not satisfied with the amount of mon-
ey which the representatives of the people by act
of Congress placed in his hands for war purposes,
but has taken new mode in the history OF our
country, If not of the world, to take within his ex-
elusive control the entire revenues OF the Repub-
lie of Mexico. TO this end he has issued his de-
cree requiring the establishment of tariff of du-
ties for Mexico, and forbids the amount collected
to be placed in the Treasury, but it is TO be held
by him for war purposes in the War and Navy
Departments. lie says :" the collection and dts-
6ursement of tie duties ,ciH be made under the or
ders Of The Secretary Of War and the Secretary Of
The Nary" And Mr.. Walker, in his plan, pro-
duced pursuant to the Presidents order. says that
the officers of the army and navy will "collect and
keep these moneys, and account for them, NOT To
THE TREASURY, but to the Secretary Of War or Of
the Nary respecticely" BY his decree, then, he
has enacted revenue system for an entire en-
pire he constitutes his military and naval officers
his collectors; he keeps the money mot in the
Treasury" of the the United States, but in his own
hands, and disburses it without any direction of
Congress or any appropriation act!
Congress, at its recent session, appropriated
over forty millions of dollars for the Mexican war,
and placed that amount at the Presidents dlspo-
sal. The President now announces that by au-
thority Of his prerogative as commander in chief
Of the army and navy-by virtue of his rights as
"conque ror'-he intends to raise millions more,
as many as the entire revenues of Mexico will af-
ford and dispose of it as his uncontrolled will may
suggest. He win not place it in the Treasury;
for our constitution would prevent its being drawn
from thence except by authority of law. The
ninth article Of the constitution provides that no
money shall Be dra,ra from TIE Treasury but IN
Consequence Of appropriations By la,c; and, there
fore, in order that he may use it without the re-
straint of law, he directs that these new revenues
shall not be placed in the Treasury, but shall be
disbursed by his own authority exercised over his
War Departments. He declares martial law over
all this portion of the money which our conquests
may gain for US! He constitutes his military
subordnates a new corps of subtreasuIers, whose
only checks and bolts and bars are his will!
If such assumption of power is sustained, what
need have we Of Congress to make appropriations;
and what control exists any where over the Pres
ident of our Republc7 He needs no vote Of Con-
gress authorizing him to borrow money or to use
money. He helps himself to the whole revenue
of nation, uses it as he sees fit, and snaps his
finger at the restraints of the laws regulating the
Treasury and at all constitutional control his
war measures purposes.
There is no doubt of our right, as belligerent
nation, to appropriate to our use whatever of an
enemvs property may, in the fortunes OF war be
captured. Vessels, whether national or private,
public stores, munitions of war; and treasure, are
all liable to be seized. But they become at once
part of the national property, and when condemned
sold, and turned into cash, they, like every other
dollar Of the peoples money, should 60 into the
national Treasury, and be subjected to the laws
and restraints which have been enacted to protect
| it from abuse. The President, by no assumption
of prerogative, by no claim as conqueror, has the
right to control one dollar, or to expend one dol
| lar, except according to law which Congress
may have passed.
! Neither is there any question that an invading
army may levy contributions for its immediate
subsistence upon the surrounding country. 1t is
a custom of barbarous origin. and but rarely re-
sorted to. But the right exists. This, however,
is far different thing from the creation of grand
system of revenue for nation, and the collection
of its entire revenues by digested system OF
rules and by corps of revenue officers. Reven
ues belong to the Treasury, and should there be
placed, so that the laws and the constitution may
control their use.
This new scheme of the President, however
jumps at once over all restraint, either by any law
Of Congress, or by the constitution. 1t claims for
him, as " "Conqueror," the right to decree tariff.
1t disdains to ask the aid of Congress, either to
establish it or to authorize the President to do it,
/ Holding the sword, he proposes TO conquer a new
! purse, to be filed by tariff of his own imperial
enactment, and to be used as the prerogatve of a
conqueror may direct L-Springfeld Republican,
|
! NOVEL FrsHING.-ln crossing The Three
Bridge Branch few days since we were much
amused by the performance Of dog. apparent.
/ ly OF the waller species, who was as eagerly in
tent on catching fish as the most enthusiastic
! follower Of old lzaak Walton could possibly be
The stream was low and the dog stood in the
centre and as the fish came down, as Quick
as thought his nose was down and up came a