Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-04-17

the following, to which we entreat the undivided
attention Of our readers. ..r..-
FROM THE ALBANY STATESMAN OF APRIL 9.
THE KING RAISING MONEY FOR HIS WAR
WITHOUT THE AID OF PARLIAMENT
War is the period when tyranny grows and
hourishes best, and liberty is most easily crushed
Hardly decent pretence of respect has been pre-
served towards the constitution since the present
war began. That once venerated instrument was
wholly set aside when the war undertaken by
the President; and in the prosecution of the war
he has been quite consistent with himself i'll the
contempt he has heaped upon it. The employment
of militia under the of volunteers, for carry
ing forward war of conquest in foreign country
is one example. On this point the constitution is
explicit is tina, the Presidential office shall be elective
and hereditary Another example is in the E1ecu
tive instructions with which Of military chiefs went
forth armed up civil governments in distant provinces
and countries into which they might carry their conquerng
Those who have thought worth while look all
at the OF Executive encroachmen have been not
altogether unpePaed for the rescp which has been
issued under the of mtary contributions and by
which regular system for the collection of import duties
der Executive tariff be established in the ports
OF Mexico, such are may be- in possession. This
proceeding is pu, by the President the ground that
at is the right of the conquror levy contributions upon
be In his military possession by conquest and apply the
deay the expenses of the The coaqueror pos
the right also establish temporary military govern
ment over such seaports, towns or Provinces DC.
Nobody suppose doubts that wherever the army of the
United States has its encampmen at home abroad the law
OF the camp prevails This not quite vague and
tain law quite sweeping many suppose.
The military Law of this land and Of army is principally
written lava regular dgested CODE and regularly enacted
by Congress the law establishing the Post Office Depart
ment, that regulating the Judiciary And, undoubtedly
martial law, whether written unwriten and its adminsra-
ton in the field appertain the military commander
ande Of forces under the orders of the commander-n
chief This power extends the maintenance Of discipline
and orde and the punishment of offences and The
camp. So far this goes there is military government"
the power of which exactly the same whether be in the
immediate hands of the commander-in chief Of general
of DIVISION colonel, corporal, when this last happens
remain the ghest in command actually camp
field. Bot very evident that the President
thing than this when he talks about his right establish
military government wherever army may have made
successful Judgment in foreign country. He talks about
the rights Of the Conqueror" and that he is the
conqueror and that all these rights belong him. If
army wins hattie and takes possession Of the battle-ground
il the President who is the conqueor If il be fort,
town, province that is won, still he lie the conqueror.
And then tie rights Of the conqueor and all these APP
pertain to him.
And what the rights of a conquero The President
the right "to establish temporary military govern
ments." BY Temporary governments he SUCH we
presume, shall continue during the war; long the
military possession shall last 1t may be for year for
ten years He calls it military government but is evident
that he means Ivy government in the largest sense, while
lasts aud embracing every object, prerogave, and power
which belong any government earth II is gov
eminent dealing with citizens soldiers and affecting every
interest and every relation of life and life itself If
town province be deemed TO be captured war; and is
proposed to hold it conquered territory, passes with its
people, under the rule of the conquero, who becomes its
sovereign in the place of it, former sovereign and thus is
held subject only be reconquered during the war; OF sur
rendered by treaty the end Of But while the posse sson
lasts the sway the conqueror the inhabitants who have
been required TO submit TO the power of his complete
and perfect II he choose 10 regard conquered posses
son il he choose claim his by right Of conquest
and require the submission OF its inhabitants accordingly
undoubtedly the full right Of government accompanies the
holding and occupation
in such case and ia such oniy, that the con-
qucror has right establish any government whatever be-
yend what arper,ans strictly his army, and his mill
tsy quarters and camping grounds And when the RICH,
establish any government than this is assumed the
right exists ALL is full and compete-a sovereign right
ample the necessities and Jusies of government
make IT, The government in such a otherwise
"temPoary than as have already stated and it is
otherwise military than it apt in " military
hands, and TO he exercised in very summary way. II is
government over person, property, and life
Now, II such government this that Mr. Polk claims
the persoci right to establish every port town. pro
vince in Mexico conquered by our He may call il
temporary and military # he will bu, if any thing 10
the form sembance Of government which assumes uris-
dction communities and persons soldiers, and ex-
tending beyond the limits just MENTIONED or il
may he government ample and complete, within ter
ritoria boundaries any government in the world If h,
be- in his person, the conqueror, aud has right
establish any government all, properly called,
conquered territory and people, thee he has the right make
that government just what he pleases to give any form
and any powers and any mode Of operation and execution
he may see it, II make OF difference with th,
right which he assumes, because he may not choose
not dare give himself full and free scope in its exercise.
he can the right for purpose he may it for another