The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1848-07-29
For The Cecil Wing,
Democracy Us DespOtism.
BALTIMORE, July 18th '4S.

which this is the continuation, noticed
the trlumphs Democracy is achieving
over Despotism in Europe, and after
pointing at tendency towards Despot-
ism in this country through Loco Foco
influence, by which industry and ma
tional advancement is paralyzed, I call
ed upon the people, the Legitimate SOW
ereigns, to look we'll at the evil, and APP
ply an efficient remedy at the ballot box
In government like this, formed upon
moral, religious, and political rights,
made up of SO many responsible heads,
each acting as sentinel over the move.
ments of the others, we are not apt to
suspect approaching danger, especially
when that danger comes with a royal
signet, set by men in high official stations.
But we should remember that every age
and country has produced ITS el.ques COM
posed of men who would bargain their
souls like chattels, according to the mea-
sure meted out from mother earth's sub
treasury, or tranple upon law and
gospel only to enjoy little brief author
ity. The danger to this country consists
in the masquerades by which designing
men can cloak their black hearted p1o-
iects. Had James X. Polk, on his inau-
gurat,on day, come forth in Imperial
robes, our indignant countrymen would
have dashed him with scorpions naked
round the world. But he came forth as
a republican, and with much a,to-com-
mendatlon Of his republican virtues, en-
tered upon the most high handed exercise
Of power, that ever disgraced our Exec
utive annals. Let US turn our attention
to this subject.
1t is we'll known that the war with
Mexico had its origin in fragrant as
sumption of power by James K. Polk. I
do not propose to discuss the justice or
injustice of that war, with the many i'm
portant topics growing out from it, since
they are so familiar to the reading pub
lie. My purpose is to show, by this
Executive-war-power, how incongruous
the spirit of the Loco Foco party is to
the spirit OF our republican government
as originally designed. Should We go
back to the time when Loco Focoism was
spawned, and follow it up TO the present
Administration, ITS constant tendency to
absolute power will be sadly visible
That tendency has received its grand
finale in James X. Polk, who, to render
his administration more signal, and put
a double bride in the jaws of the Amer
lean people, has arrogated to himself the
most unconditional sovereignty that a
Despot could claim-the power to make
war.
The trainers OF the Constitution were
much troubled in drawing a proper line
between the Executive and Legislative
branches, by giving to each'its own APP
propriate sphere of operation. They alb
rogated the idea, and that justly, which
Locke and Montague held forth, that Ex-
ecutive and Federation should be united
in one and the same body. This, when
exercised IN the most trihing instance,
amalgamates opposites, and tends to con-
solicitation, which cannot but be danger
Gus to the stability Of our government.
Apprehending this difficulty, they gave
to Congress the power to make laws; and
reserved for the Executive the power to
carry those laws into executions; or, IN
other words, ssto see that the laws be
faithfully executed" Has JAS K. Polk
confined himself to this duty so speci6'
cally laid down in the Constitutions Let
us see.
We have shown,,wh is also support
ed by an express grant, that Congress
alone has the power to make war. What
is more, war cannot constitutionally ex-
list, without previous declaration by
that branch of government. All emf
nent Jurists have pronounced the war
making power to be one of the highest
acts of sovereignty, and one which
should be surrounded by every possible
safeguard But did not James K. Polk
bring about state of war, which termi-
mated in an actual war, and then notify
Congress for the first time, that war exc
Ia Al. Al,