The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-13
7 H E r E P u B Ii G.
WASHIN GTON:
WEDNESDAY MORNING. JUNE ID, ls4s
THE RE p UBLIC.

fishers OF this journal on the l4th day OF
April last, we announced, in as concise a
form of words as we could employ to
make ourselves ineligible, the general
purposes and objects contemplated by the
establishment of the "Republic." We
therein stated that the principles upon
which the present Administration came
into power; the progressive and liberaliz-
ing doctrines which prevailed in the late
| Presidential canvass; the interests Of labor;
the cause of science, literature, and gen.
eral intelligence, should receive from US
cordial, jealous, and constant support
| We further made it known that, whilst the
Republic would be Wing Administra-
ton paper, it would acknowledge no al
legiance inconsistent with the dignity and
independence of the press, nor come un-
der obligations, incompatible with the ut
most freedom Of thought, and the largest
liberty of action.
The development of these fundamen-
tai ideas, in their length and breadth, be-
longs properly to the sequel. 1t is only
by applying general principles to the dis
cussion of questions Of public concern that
their Interpretation can be arrived at. Apart
from the influence they exert in consider
ing measures of national utility, or III adopt
ing the policy of administrations to the
business and necessities of the people, the
principles of party, or programme, are
but rhapsody of words. To the ordeal
of time we would, therefore, now submit
ourselves without further blazonry, if uni
versal usage did not require of us an am
plifcation of the contents of our pros
pectus. We submit more readily to the
prevailing custom, because some of ouI
most distinguished contemporaries set us
an example of Difference, by occasionally
condensing the Celebrations of many years
into formularies of convenient circulation.
The principles upon which the present
Administration came into power are en-
bodied in letter written by its distin-
guished chief, pending the last Presiden-
tial election, and known throughout the
canvass as the first Allison letter. The
leading idea evolved in that important
document is, the emancipation of Con.
gress from the rigors of the veto power,
power designed by the Constitution to
be conservative, but which has been too
often used as personal prerogative of the
Executive. Where the people have clearly
the right, under the Constitution, to adopt
system of domestic policy, and shall
elect Congress to carry into effect that
system, il is an abuse of power TO inter
pose the Executive veto between them
and their ascertained will. And in de-
termining the constitutionality of mea-
sure, the decisions of the various De-
partments of the Government, the acqui-
essence of the people, and the interpreta-
tons of the courts of law, are the safest,
nay, the only safe guides.
Upon the subject Of the tariff, the cur
rency, the improvement of rivers, lakes,
and harbors, the will of the people ought
to be the law of the land. These are
matters within the competency of the
country to consider and have settled by
representatives whom they may select to
give their convictions the form Of positive
law
With equal willingness do we subscribe
TO the doctrine that war at all times, and
under all circumstances, is a national ca
lamity, to be avoided if compatible with
national honor; and that the true policy
Of the country is opposed TO the dis
memberment and subjugation of other
countries by conquest. We cannot inn
agine a combination Of circumstances al
all likely to arise to overrule principle 90
strongly fortified by experience and sup
ported by the sympathies Of our better ma
ture; yet in a contingency which might
leave no escape from collision, except in
national abasement, the country will be
safer in the guidance Of those who make
justice, truth, and humanity, the basis Of
international communication, than with
such as adapt their pretensions to the tastes
Of restless agitators and their performances
TO wholesome consideration of the power
Of an adversary.
We might here enlarge upon the foreign
policy Of the country at this, the most mo-
mentous, crisis that has ever occurred in