The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-01-14

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The Opposition press the present moment iaskng
its ingenuity aggravae the responsibility of the Exec
utve in the present crisis In its view, the Executive is
responsible for the commencement of the the Exec
uve responsible for its successful prosecution and its
satisfactory result the Executive is responsible for the
supply of the Treasury and, finally. the Executive is
sponsbe for the agitation and dssenson, and danger in
volved in all those perilous topics which have recently
found their way into the debates of Congress. Let us
look little at the true nature and limits OF that Execu
tive responsibility which the spirit of opposition would
thus extend and exaggerate.
AS to the commencement of the war, the Executive is
responsible for defending the State OF Texas from the in
vasion OF Mexican army imbodied upon its frontier.
This is the one Executive in relation to the hostile
operations in which the began Yet this step
was not taken till after every eor, at negotiation had
been tried, and till after Mexico had more than once
announced her fixed determination consider the
alton of Texas for offensive her part,
and case which put all negotiation out of the ques-
ton" Such being the responsibility of the Executive in
the premises up to the 18th of May last the Act of Con-
gress of that day transferred the responsibility OF part
in the war to the national Legislature.
Then the responsibility of the conduct and prose-
cution OF the The Executive became response
BILE for the efficient and economical OF all the means OF
which that Act placed at its disposal Asthe object of
the war was avowedy permanent and satisfactory
peace upon such would indemnity for
our claims against Mexico, which had before the
war; and which might arise during its continuance the
Executive also became responsible that suitable oppor
tunty should be open to Mexico to negotiate, at any
time, upon those terms So far, undoubtedly the Exec
utive is responsible for the conduct of the war; Well
known facts attest how this responsibility has been
The success OF our arms, viewed in comparison
with the extent of the employed is almost without
parallel in military history; while diplomacy has not
only sought, but has created, opportunity to offer the
counses of honorable peace TO the Mexican government
AS to the supply OF the Treasury, the Executive is
responsible 1t has discharged its whole duty in this
spect Ii has presented estimates the moderation Of
which surprises the opposition II has implicitly pledged
itself to make the sums thus estimated suffice for the
prosecution of vigorous hostltes 1t has performed its
constitutional duty in recommending the in its
judgment suited to facilitate the necessary loans and to
sustain the credit OF the government The responsibility,
therefore, of the state of the Treasury henceforh with
Congress. Congress has assembled TO carry into effect
the will OF the people. The people will that the war
shall be vigorously prosecuted and that the snews OF
shall be provided Congress their agent do this
! work
But the responsibility OF Congress in the domi-
nan majority of that body They have sanctioned the
war. They have been elected to carry out successfully
the principles and the policy upon which the present
Administration into power II is for them to meet
the demands of the crisis 1t is for them to postpone till
a filter season nfammatory topics growing out of the
war; and TO shield from the stormy elements OF dissension
among ourselves the efforts Of the country against its
foreign foe The democrat who at this time draws away
the attention of Congress and of the country from the
requisite to sustain those efforts, to topics, the
discussion OF which result in nothing but agitation,
lroftess at once and perous-such Democrat, be he
who he may, and in whatever motive he labos, at
arih has party He throws distractions in the way OF
the common cause. He plays into the hands of our ad
versaries He chooses crisis of in which to
barrass and cripple the Administration of his choice
He assumes all the fearful responsibility which is i'm
piled in distracted councils, enemy encouraged, in
war proraced and, finally, in whole line OF patriotic
policy impeded, endangered, or overthrown.
The remedy for all this lies not with the Execu-
tive 1t is in the hands of the responsible majority
of Congress They, and they alone put aside till
fit season premature and dangerous discussions They
can supply the Treasury The people eager to
tain them in measures adopted to that end They can
strengthen the hand of the Executive to place the coun
try upon that vantage ground OF from which the
terms of an honorable and advantageous peace be
dictated enemy whose counses have been arkened
by injustice, pride, and obsnacy till they longer
discern the true path OF patriotic duty The majority OF
Congress have sanctioned the They have elected
to invade Mexico. In the Judgment of the country,
they have made this election good and sufficient
sons 1t is for them to take heed that the of means
does invasion hitherto so brilliant and full of
honor into miscarriage and failure 1t is for them
it, that the righteous of the country which
they have sanctioned and supported be permitted to
become, during its continuance fire brand of dis
sension in the legislative councils of the land.
Much yet remains TO be DONE The session of Con-
gress is already hafov Measures of vital Importance
to the prosecution of the yet unaccomplshed
The Treasury still anguishes, under the demands of the
war The necessary loans are not yet authorized nor
is the requisite increase of provided to facilitate
their negotiation In this state of things, the country
looks for action rather than for discussion Prompt
and udcous action alone meet the requirements OF
the war The power OF such action is with the Democ-
Iracy Of Congress The country waits with impotence
to see it efficiently put forth.
BrAuTIFuL sAYrNe--It was a saying of the Jewish
Rabbi that If the ink the trees pens, and the
: earth parchment they would not be sufficient to write
down all the praise due to God Tor liberty"