Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1847-08-25
From The ". o. Picayune.
. MEXICO.

deems IL mol Improper lu Piese"t '".'
repor, with The Promp'i,ude which me
chamber has thought fiji 10 allow, as well
because the legal question involved ap'
pears to be perfectly clear, as because Inc
same subject has been the object OF their
medtations. and also Of the debates ol the
( notical representation.
: In the Judgment Of the committee our
fundamental code is perfectly clearln tins
part of it. The il0th article Of the consll-
lulion places among The powers OF The
executive authority of the Union that OF
directing diplomatic negotiations and con-
cluding treaties Of fpeace, ,friendship,alll
truce, federation, armed neutrality, COM
mercs, and every other kind whatsoever;
buti says that 10 grant or 10 refuse The
ratification Of any one Of these the appro-
baton Of the Central Congress must first
be obtained. The executive power is also
exclusive. according TO the 18th number
of the same article, to receive ministers
and other agents of foreign powers.
These articles prove in manner incon-
troveuable, That by our constitutional laws,
as among other civilized nations. the dl-
rection Of foreign relations is entrusted
exclusively 10 The executive; but without
confering on il the power to conclude any
thing, without the consent Of the legislative
body. The same federal constitution places
among the powers of Congress. that OF
"approving treaties Of peace, of alliance, of
friendship, of federation, Of armed neutral
ily, and every other kind whatsoever
which the president of the Uuiled Mex
ican] Stale may conclude with foreign
powers"
From all this we come to the conclusion
that Congress does not possess the power
to entertain, and cannot righlfuly entertain
the communication which The Government
0fthe United STATES has transmitted with
a view to entering into negotiations for
peace, and offering to name minister for
this purpose. And il this opinion appeared
TO US sound according to the federal con-
stilution when promulgated as provisional
code, and even since Congress has acquir-
ed an augmentation powers granted 10
il by the, "Plan Of the Citadel" and the
"Convocatoria ;"-now that the nation
lis definitely constituted /; or possesses a
definite cons,i,urion-esto defaiteuamente
consfituida now that one of the articles
OF the act of amendments declares express.
Iy thai "powcrs oflhs Union are all derived
from The constitution and are limited 10 the
simple exercise of The faculties expressly
designated in It !" now that all the public
powers must be measured by it in the
most rigorous manner, we eau find no
possible objections 10 our opinion, for any
other opinion whatever would involve a
violation Of the pacl to which we have
sworn. ~ =
Nevertheless VIC are not blind 10 The
fact that instead ofbeing political theory,
has been a sentiment Of the purest. nobest
patriotism in lis origin, which has interpos.
ed so many difficulties in order that upon
a subject Of so vast importance that course
should be strictly followed which The COM
mands Of the constitution so distinctly
mark out. Congress, as The faithful re-
preventative of he wishes Of The people,
who have been outraged by the most un-
jus, Of all aegressions and are determined
not to consent that an isnomiDious treaty
should secure 10 oGr nsighbors the posses
sion of territory usurped by Them, and
with il the dominion Of this continent
terminating at the same lime our political
! existence in manner which would mol
even enille us to the compassion Of other
people Congress- has uniformly opposed
every Thing which should seem to open the
way for peace, which would al this day
be every way ignominous, aud it has ex.
ercised the most jealous care and precau.
lion To prevent even the rcmotest danger of
such disaster.
The committee participate in these
feelings, and would not observe that this
constitutional power conferred upon the
executive cannot be assaied by US, nor
does il a!lurd occasion for well founded
alarm, nor in fine is it possible that Con.
grcss should itself discharge this duty.
rhe management Of diplomatic nesuria
lions demands such reserve, so much dis
cussion, an activity SO well timed, sys
TEN Of designs so well prosecuted, that it
would be impossible 10 carry them on with
certainty, iflhGir rnanagemem were Ell.
trusted TO a numerous body. The policy
of all nations confirms the truth. and there
ia no doubt that Congress itself renounced
the power OF negotiation wherin amending
our original constitutional pact, il deter
mined that there should be no alteration in
the provisions we have cited, aud left Them
TO stand as they were.
On lhe other hand, in perfect consisten-
cy with these provisions, The executive eau
conclude nothing defuilely,it possesses no
authority 10 consun'ale any arrangement.
which shall be binding upon The Republic;
and Congress very well knows hat the
executive, even in the exclusive faculties,
under the representative system fluids
itself constrained To porsue such course
as may be designated by the public opinion
aud the legislative body. In the position
truly strong and respectable which our
constitution gives 10 Congress, it possesses
abundant peaceful and legal resources,
without exceeding its dulles, TO insure The
interests of the nation in whatever manner
they may be compromised,
For these reasons, therefore, The ma
inritv of the committee cannot DropOse aDy