The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-10-11
TAs Meav. nor IN. Roaaa Island Oair.ss.

The Motive hsr the Roand Island Outrage.
We have presented at length our views OF the prne-
pies involved in the proceedings of the Executive esored
to for the purpose of dispensing the persons assembled al
Round Island II we have succeeded in making our
selves understood have clearly proved that the Pres
ident under the advice of his cabinet has usurped the
power of arrest which belongs exclusively the judi
ciary branch of the governments and that he has
cised the power thus usupsd in defiance OF the plain
provisions of the constitution and in utter disregard OF
the privileges guaranteed to citizens BY depving the
persons assembled at Round Island OF their liberty and
property without due process OF law, and on secret in
formation without the oath affirmation which the con-
sttuton requires before citizen can be arrested or his
property taken from him. The violence which has been
done 10 the constitution is plain and the assault which
has been made upon the liberties of the citizen is so APP
parent and indefensble that forced instincvely
to inquire for the cause which induced the Executive TO
make in time OF profound peace the military superior
to the civil power to take the suppression and punish
men OF the alleged violation OF penal statute from the
court OF Mississippi TO intrust that task to the naval
forces in the Gulf OF Mexico and, in its eagerness TO
prevent revolt in Cuba, to make war upon citizens
and deny to them the privileges which belong to them
under the constitution
In looking for adequate motive for this strange
and high.handed usurpaon, confess that we did not
at first find any other explanation than that furnished by
the we-known and long. established sympathy which
federalism chershes for the force conservatism
OF the Old World when engaged in open conflict with
pubcanism. In l79s the federasts denounced Thomas
Jefferson "French acobn," and the members OF the
democratic party OF that day "Amercan sans euoes"
because they sympathzed with the French people when
they overthrow the Bourbons for the first time, and made
the first convulsve struggle for freedom During the last
war with Great Britain, the federalss in open hos
ty to the country; and Hartford conventions were as
sembed by them with the reasonable intent OF Gripping
resources and of aiding and encouraging the forces
of the enemy. Even dissolution of the Union was
urged by them and the benefits OF an alliance with
England were openly urged in those States in which
they held the preponderance OF power. The wing party
of the present day is the legitimate descendant of the
federal party OF 79s and OF 1912 and 1914 and the wing
party openly espoused in 1916 the of Mexican des-
potism, when hoslties raging the Rio Grande.
Then, when small but gallant army in the
my's territory, and surrounded by hostile popula
ton and menaced by superior forces, the voice of wing
leaders heard in the halls of Congress denying rein
forcements and supplies, and openly encouraging the
Mexican government to proong the contest, by the
that they sympathzed with the Mexican people,
and would if they could obtain power, force gallant
army to retreat vigorously from the field.
The conduct Of the wing party during the Mexican
war; and the GOODNESS which it manifested toward France
in ls4s when the dynasty Of the Bourbons second
time OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Italy and Hungary, in their
vain but gallant effort for freedom and independence
proves that the feelings OF ancient federalism rules the
conduct and shapes the policy OF the wing party IL did
not surprise us. therefore, TO the administration eager
to serve the Spanish government-the most Ignorant
bgoted and tyrannical Of all the monarchies Of Europe
by preventing revolution in Cuba which might tear
that gem from the Spanish crown and give the people Of
Cuba long pundered and oppressed by Spanish tyranny
opportunity initiate glorious institutions, and
give impulse to the Of republicanism. The
cien hostility Of federalism 10 the people Of France served
to expanmuch which would have been otherwise nexp
cable the present difficulty with that power and the long
standing sympathy Of federalism for the conservative
principles of Europe would have thrown much light
The motives which induced the Executive TO usurp the
powers Of the judiciary and in violation OF the privileges
OF the people, to protect by unauthorized Of the
armed force Of the United States, Spanish colony But
we are to believe the wings themselves. it that
there other OF domestic nature which came
in aid of Spanish sympathy and induced the Executive
break up by force of arms, the suspected expedition
against Cuba. These domestic causes have been laid
before the public, not by the enemies but by the friends
Of this adminstraon-by prominent and influential wings
high in the confidence Of General Taylors cabinet 1t
seems that the abolition influence in the cabinet has,
as we foretold from the beginning, triumphed over
any feeble resistance which may have been made
by Messrs. Joshnson, Crawford, and Preston. The
abolition influence in the cabinet, according TO the
solemn assertion OF the wings Of Massachusetts,
feared that revolution in Cuba would lead to the an
nexaon Of that island and according to the version OF
the Massachusetts, whgs the naval forces in the Gulf OF
Mexico were ordered by the Executive to make war
upon the persons assembled at Round Island; and by
force OF arms, compel them to dispense Such is the
account which prominent wings have given OF the Round
Island outrage and we commend il to the serious consd.
Grafton OF those who supported the coalition ticket OF
southern STAKEHOLDER aud northern aboliiionst The
address OF the wing State convention of Massachusetts,
assembled at Worcester the 81 OF October holds the
following plain and emphatic language:
General Taylor, prior the election, pledged himself
his counymen the he should pursue II elected
President and used the foAowing significant and pointed
language viz the personal opinions Of the ndivd-
ual who may happen occupy the executive chair ought
not conto the action Of Congress upon questions Of do
mestic policy ought his objection to be nterposed
where questions Of constitutional power have been settled