The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-20

Senate purely Executive affair and that Congress had
no right to do anything than their duty Legislators
required. Well, sir What Legislation is needed now Is
there any, Have not able minister in France through
whom it will be the duty of the Executive communicate
the sentiments OF the American people, such and
such time on his responsibility he shall deem ft Has
not our minister already his official capacity anticipating
the appreciation of his been among the first
tender hfs Fluctuations TO the provisional government of
France Have not our citizens who happened to be IN
France at the time of the revolution awaited themselves
of the occasion to tender with enthusiasm their own
congratulations Are not the American people at home
in every part of the country manestng their sympathy
similar manner Why then should Congress- in this extra
ordinary manner be called this time undertake the
Office Of expoundDg the sentiments of the American people,
when the American people have sent here for
such purpose Sir except far they have conhded that
duty to the Executive, they have reserved TO themselves
individually and collectively, the privilege of speaking their
own sentiments, according their volition, their
own time, and in such will approve itself to
their own judgment.
Sir am for maintaining the responsibility Of the separate
departments of the government would neither interfere
With the duties of the Executive suffer the Executive
interfere with the duties OF Congress- II each department
Of the confines itself the proper discharge
the functions committed to it by the American people,
shall go on harmoniousy and regularly and the voice of
the people will be authortavely declared whenever and
whatever form, the occasion may require 1t to be uttered
But if Congress be made the for the discussion
with view their promnlgaton OF any sentiments
ter what which any member may think proper propose
regard the of foreign government people
fail perceive the dangerous consequences which
will inevitably lead When the bill making provision for
the of both Houses Of Congress An amendment
proposed by member of the House of Representatives
from the State of Delaware limiting the power of the Exc
cutve in regard 10 the and of the diplomatic
intercourse contemplated by the bill, between the govern
ment Of the United States and the Congress of Panama
The amendment at first sustained by majority of
the House, but was afterwards rejected expressly the
ground that would be assumption by Congress OF
which the people had confded the President alone
distinguished member of the house from Massachusetts
declared after amendment adopted that he should
against the BILL because il introduced of the dam
gerous innovations that had been attempted" What
that innovation Simply sir an attempt on the part
Of Congress instruct the Executive performance of
his duty in regard to the foreign intercourse of the govern
ment
Regarding, do, the resolutions your table liable,
in eminent degree, 10 the objections neither
prepared at this time to give them my support
assign day for their consideration do not believe it to
be province to speak for the American people this
matter. believe they competent speak much more
effectively themselves than speak for them and
that the voice of the people, the language of their
hearts, embodied in their resolutions will be much
acceptable to the people of France Than any cold de
caatOns in their by the Congress- of the United States
whom they never authorized to speak in their behalf
But Mr. President, If was satisfied that proper
for Congress to speak in the of the American people
on this subject l, entirely with the Senator from
South Carolina the opinion that the has arrived
which with propriety adopt the sentiment
bodied in these resolutions. The resolutions declare if
understand their true meaning that the people of France
have succeeded in their efforts consolidate liberty by
bodying its principles in republican constitution Sir,
they are only making now the first effort to accomplish this
purpose. The government Of France in the hands Of
those who have been elected by the people 1t is either
sefconstituted it derives its power from the sponane
of the people of Paris with whom the
luton commenced The provisional government is
taking its first for obtaining full represen
tation of the French people in covenion lay the
foundation for the establishment and maintenance of cons
tutiona liberty. Have they accomplished it' IL liberty
consolidated in the language Of the resolution do not
like the word, II is rather much in the style of the
Holy Alliance to suit my taste. remember in the famous
declaration of their policy, sent out TO the world by the
thew Of
sodating human institutions and remedyng their nperfec
tons" should prefer other word of less equivoca
import. had much rather liberty dused through
France the limits of the realm, than consolidated
in the hands of Partisan regency 1t sounds too much
like the consolidation of power that cenrallzes here; and
Think sir that the Congress of the United States would be
much better employed in taking to prevent that
consolidation Of power which rapidly going within
the precincts of this capitol by of the in
of Executive patronage than in undertaking to
duct masked the foreign intercourse of the American peo
ple
But sir if to speak all in their name should
prefer that the resolutions be committed the Committee
Foreign Relations that they may consider whether the
language used is such as the people would approve.
hope therefore, that the motion for the special assignment
of day for their consideration will not prevail.