Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-24

utterly forbidden engage, while the countries
war; without special permission iro the competent auhor-
ties OF their Government
Sand the President deliberately proposes by these
attain an INDEPENDENT revenue for the expenses of the
The plan expected be very productive and yield
some millions The collections made under military superv
son whatever they go directly 10 the military chest
They to be accounted for by the collectors official
rescpt the Treasury but the Secretaries OF War
and Navy, respectively So far these collections may CO.
the President is maintain independently of the Gov
eminent He is not to depend money drawn from the
Treasury OF the United States and which could only be done
in pursuance of appropriations made by law but he 90
his treasury, supplied by independent revenue de-
rived from regular system of taxation mpost levied and
collected under his personal and sovereign authority places
beyond the jurisdiction of the United States Is possible
for arrogance and despotism go further than this }
Sand then the country is told that this is nothing but e
vying military contributions the enemy. If this
soand it hardly better than insult to an intelligent people
to set up such pretenceye if this So how comes it
that the Administration found ayowng intention of
levyng contributions on the enemy after its repeated procla
nation and declarations to that enemy that private property
should be respected, and nothing demanded taken without
making just and full compensation Protection and full
cuy to the persons and property of the peaceabe inhabitants
of conquered towns and Provinces has be the
missed doctrine and declared practice of modern civilized nations
not to be departed FROM except in very special cases. which
certainly do not exist in this Are the United States to
suffer the disgrace Of being the first in times to set
example TO the contrary As for contributions levied
conquered country, they allowed by the modern
usage and law OF nations but mild substitute for page
or the coafscaon property. Contributions demanded
and received Of relief and redemption from these
measures and of esoed to but when other
wise such harsh proceedings page conscaon would
be justified, either by way of special punishment
count OF some urgent temporary necessity But what is there
in between military contributions and this notable
plan OF the Presidents for raising independent and pema
nent revenue, by commercial taxaon for the support and
prosecution of the war Taxation is Of govern
rtnfs
from plage forced contribution, received relief from
page This act when permitted at ALL is act of war; by
military command, to meet particular necessity ext
gency OF war; and is temporary in its purpose and action
has It's direct operation present enemy and is commonly
exhausted in single act But how absurd and how pn to
talk the proceeding considering Of military
contribution This system of commercial regulation and
axaon regular, and nearly elaborate, that which
controls commerce and supplies in the whole United
staesa system prevailing, designed prevail and
in all the principal seapo, through which great country
OF eight or ten millions people, receives its foreign supplies
and which are held places conquered in and subject
the political sovereignty of the system Of taxation
and revenue designed be at least permanent the
falling on whomsoever concerns, importer consumer, CT
zen or stranger friend enemy and such system
but regular Government the exercise of full sovereignty
could enact and execute And the Government which does
this and exercises this sovereignty he President Of the
United States
But we must bring this article to close Our object has
been to awaken the attention of the country, possible the
manner III winch the original written constitution becoming
rapidly obscured and subyeed by the assumption OF and
extraordinary powers either quietly submitted to- only very
feeby rebuked and SO that in effect essentially
stuton practically taking the place of the original insru
men which, though partly unwrtten likely become just
as potent and authoritative and binding the people,
if these features had been given to it by regular amend
mens adopted according to the prescribed and approved mode
OF making amendments To make this matter plain and
comprehensive possible and show in view how bavey
we going on in this business and what kind of consu
nrtIc
by drawing out in ORDER and in the form of regular amend
mens the of the original instrument the provisions
proper to cover those powers which, have shown
have lately been assumed usuped and exercised by the
Government at Washington As written amendments, they
might stand somewhat in this form
81 Congress shall have power incorporate the United
States with any other people country such and
conditions may be agreed on.
m The President shall have authority employ the
army OF the United States the defence Of any foreign
try, threatened with invasion, at his discretion.
III. The President shall have authority to make war on
any foreign nation by invading its possessions provided only
that this be done under prext Of claim of title those
possessions,
Nv. The militia of the States called into service as
lunteers may be employed by the President prosecuting
of invasion and foreign conquest.
''V. The President shall have authority govern, in
complete sovereignty, any territory province, place taken
and occupied by the military forces Of the United States and
in such manner as he may fit.
CYL In any port place taken and occupied by the forces
Of the United States the President may establish commercial
regulations and tariff of duties Imports for the purpose Of
raising independent revenue, to be used by him for military
purposes in his sole discretion and for which he shall be
held TO any accountability.
"These provisions thus brought into iuxapositon and
set down in ORDER may show what prodgious adj
Progressive Democracy has made, and is likely to
make, giving features the constitution, and especially
in giving and fearful import and significance Executive
power.