Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-04-09

presses are infatuated enough 10 run tilt against
it. As the Washington correspondent, OF the
Journal OF Commerce says
ain fine, the objections, as it appears To me are
altogether OF party character, and are calcu'a-
ted deeply TO ipjure the party from which they
spring"
The Wing asks why The Presiden, did not, al
the last session. ask Congress 10 establish The mea-
sure by iav. The answer is simple and conclu-
siye. The President had then some hope that
Mexico would listen TO terms of nesotialon-
Since the adjournment, he has received new evil
dc.se that she o5stinatey persists in not accept
ing our offers of peace, and he has adopted the
only alternative left OF carrying on The war vigor
ously, and at the expense Of Mexico.
We deem i, useless to discuss the caTping OBJ
iec:ions of these Wing s.umbers. We turn them
over TO their Wing associate, The Baltimore Anne
ricap, as strong and respectable Wing paper as
any in the country. His arguments are unan-
swerable, and contain severe rebuke upon those
Wings VINO condemn every thing that comes
from an opponent, and seem to delight in embar-
RAISING their own Government in lis prosecution
Of the war:
awe observe that some objections are urged
against The act of the President enforcing Tariff
of duties in The Me.i an ports; The authority Of
the Executive to do this, on his own responsible
ity, is questioned.
din this objection we do not join. A state Of
war implies all measures OF stringent compulsion
towards an enemy, not incompatible with The
laws Of nations and the usages oil civilized war
fare. To lay an cnemy's country under contrbu-
lion is an ordinary acl on The part OF a command
ing General occupying hostile territory. Tie
mode of doing this may be one kind or another
according to the probabilities OF greater efficien-
cy with least trouble. An inland region may be
subjected to one sort OF contribution; seaport,
having large commerce, might invite different
sys,em Itwould embairass military Operations
yery mach il every step in the prosecution OF
hcslilies was 10 be delayed until the sanction Of
Government through lis legislative functions
shonld lie had IEc mr. oTcc arO,ccd, a certain
spssas If hostile measures. as recognized By The lars
NJ nations ,s sanctioned ty tic Tcry act phica sa7c
.ions The vor.
aThe Mexican authorities being overthrown
in captured town, say Tampico, what aulhoii-
" is to prevail there except that of the conquer
ors7 And who Is 10 prescribe the specific lcialls
OF military rule save The Commanding General}
Is the port oil Iampico 10 De tnloWn oPento COM
merce, or are duties to be le-!eG2 There must be
an authority 10 decide this question:; and il would
seem that The uhorty which could abolish ex
;s,ins duties might substitute any scale Of new
rates if the wants and conveniences Of the Army
should require it. The President as commander
in chief, il number OF Mexican ports were il
the possession of cur forces, might issue gene
"a, order establishing certain rates 10 be levied on
imports in Mexican harboTs during our occupan-
sy OF them.
''He enn reilly pereeirs no constitutional Difficult.
lies ~ tic case. The authority Of the Pcesilen,
cut of The limits vi the United Sales, in regard
10 the prosecution of the war, is that OF Com
nander il chief OF the Army and Navy. As such
he has large discretion az against The enemy
being subject, however, 10 the laws OF nations
and the rules and regulations o. .Ac service. The
orders be may give affecting the enemy's country
are 10 be judged of accordingly. Our own con-
sltulion and laws will claim vindcation j! any
order or any acl c. the President, as commander
in chief shall operate within the limits Of The
Union 10 impair the legislative authority OF Con-
gross, or 10 transcend The proper limits Of The Ex.
ecu,ive functions"