Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-04-03
THE NEW "oRDER IN COUNCIL"

Of yesterday for il is not an exercise of any au-
thority conferred upon the President by law ex-
pressly by the Constitution, but is prerogative
claimed by the President inherent in his office
belonging, independently of all law, TO the Pre-
sidential dignity
In noticing, in Thursday paper the first rumor
Of the purpose which these papers carry into
execution we said that if the intention Ito raise
money by taxation in Mexico) were carried into
effect, il would doubtless afford some help in the
ways and means to carry on the war;" When we
said this, we meant just what said, and no
more; that is, that whatever money should thus be
raised would add something, more or less, to the
means at the disposal of the Treasury. We said
nothing of the legality of this mode of raising
nue., nor OF the proposed mode Of diSbursing it, not
under the laws which regulate other expenditures Of
the Government, but at the will and pleasure of the
War and Navy Departments, or under such author
iiy 40 they may give to Commanders in either
vice. This last indeed, was expedient for evad
ing or avoiding responsibility to the laws, which,
we confess, we had not even dreamed of. We had
innocently supposed that no money could be dis
bursed by the Government but in consequence of
appropriations made by law. Such is indeed the
language of the Constitution of the United States.
But, since the annexation Of Texas by act of Con-
gress, and the invasion of Mexico by the act of the
President, who fig for tile Constitution! 1t
is almost out of date and has become very nearly
obsolete. Besides, if the money to be collected is
to be placed in the custody of Military and Naval
Officers instead of Subtreasurers, it is not IN the
Treasury. And, if it is not IN the Treasury, how
cant be "drawn out gift? tits case, the read
er will perceive, which clearly eludes Tor, rather,
leaps over) both the Law and the Constitution
So far, therefore, from approving, in adj
vance" the system of military contributions pro-
posed to be levied by the President we had not any
right conception of what the system !" was to be-
And now we know what sort of thing it is, so far
from approving, we do not like either its shape or
features.
The first thing that strikes US, as we suppose it
must every reader is, that the President having in
his letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, enume-
rated the powers which, in his opinion "a Con.
queror may exercise, proceeds to issue, of his
own authority Orders for the execution of such
powers. This clearly assumes that He, the Presi-
dent, is the Conqueror of Mexico If this be so,
and if the President of these United States has the
same authority as the King of England Tor any
other king has conquered provinces, then the
argument put forth in defence of these proceedings
may be maintainable. But if, on the contrary, his
power be, in this respect limited by the Constitution
of his own country-f in this particular, he does
not possess absolute monarchical power-then there
is, according to our present impressions, no color
for the authority here exerted by the President.
When we shall see the instructions which are is
sued by the President in the exercise Of this trans
cendant power, and thus have the whole proceed
ing before us, shall give it earnest attention, and
deliver opinion upon it, undeterred in the exer-
else of this right by the constant habit of the Adj
mnistration organs to denounce, with all sorts OF
impuation upon their motives, those who presume,
in any case whatever, to question the Executive
authority, to make any effort to maintain the bal
of the Constitution and the just power of the
Legislative Department Of the Government.
Indications from the great interior of our coun-
try-from the Western States especiay-ofan earn
estdesire to see the War brought close, more
than usually free from mere party bias so much SO
to induce to believe that the feeling is gene.
raj, if indeed it do not almost universally prevail
among thinking and reasoning men. If the Admin.
isration needed, which it now certainly does not
motives for exertng itself to bring the war to close
whenever il can without discredit, the nearly uni
versa sentiment on this subject cannot be mistaken
or misunderstood. Nor is its expression confined
to papers originally hostile to the war or to the Adj
ministration. Presses by which the Administra-
ton was brought into power and has thus far been
sustaned-such of them can afford TO be indie
pendent-begn to speak out honestly boldly, and
plainly on the subject. Thus, we learn from the
Richmond Republican, that "the WytheviIe Re-
publican" a stanch and clever Virginia supporter
of Democracy" begins long and eloquent ar
ticle on " The War as follows:
"The public mind is growing more and more
anxious on the subject of the Mexican war. The
country is full Of inquiry. Never was period in
our history in which men were faster losing party
caste, and party hate and party jealousy and rail-
lying in thought to relieve the country. Wings
and Democrats cease to dispute and to revile each
other on old political texts and party lines. They
converse calmly, earnestly, anxousy on the great
national question, the Mexican war. The ques-
.tion is put and reput, What is to be done What
is best to be done How shall this war be ter
minated 7"
This opening is in the right spirit.
From SANTA FE.-A gentleman writing from