The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-03

The National lntelgencer oil Thursday, in Its remark
introducing the annual address OF Herrera the President
of the Mexican republic. enters into TRADE against
Presidents who have. under the constitution sent
TO Congress lengthy exposition of our national
affairs We not surprised that the federal organ in
this city-a Jealous, if not able ally of Mexico in
the war which has just been concluded-should look
beyond the Rio Grande for its models of official excel
ence Nor does it strike singular that a press
welded to the american system" should prefer the
aconic addresses of the King Queen of England to
the more satisfactory exhibitions of the State of the
Union made by Chief Magistrates. But it
should be remembered that the President of the United
States is the representative of the people and of the
States and that those who elevated him to Office have
right to be informed Of the acts OF his administration.
The constitution of the United States requires in explicit
terms, that Chief Magistrate shall lay before Con-
gess statement Of public affairs and recommend such
measures may in his judgment. be conducive TO the
public welfare. This it is his duty to do. And
when that statement is able, and those recommendations
well sustained by overwhelming argument it is not
to be wondered at that mpassioned opponents dis
satisfied with their length. The constitution of the
United States does throw all the power of govern
ment into the hands of Congress 1t imposes duties
the President above and beyond the task of signing
his name to congressional edics. If that ALL the
ingenuity of citizens would easily invent machine
which could fill the presidential chair well Scion
or Lycurgus Besides, government is of limited
powers, and must keep within the pale of its prescribed
functions Thus il is necessary to tell the people all that
the administration has done, order that they may know
whether be has regarded their rights and promoted their
interests. In England, the King, Lords, and Commons
may rghtfully do whatever the King, Lords and Com
mons may choose to do; for the whole people are, by
legal Seton, supposed TO be present. aiding and abeng
whenever those three institutions assemble The people
of England, strictly speaking have reserved rights
and though we hear much of the British constitution
and though the National Intelligencer might speak
earnedy and enthusiastically the beauties of that
instrument; yet after all, what is it but the spuations
and acts Of the King, Lords, and Commons, which may
be added subaced from whenever those creating
powers may desire The Queen is institution She
has no constituency to satisfy The ballot box does not
affect her She is sovereign for life; and her heirs for
ever after her inherit her throne, while the British
sttuon remains as it is. She does not, therefore,
descend say TO her Parliament than she does say
We do not pretend TO judge of the duties of the govern
ment of Mexico Her able President must pursue what
he pleases. He may not choose to
with the people, condescend justify himself before
tnem OF tneiT I'm u6 the DUTY OF
the Chief Magistrate to do both. We have a constu-
ton which is something than name; and it is the
RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE to know how that instrument
has been construed and how their government has been
administered This may be all the editors of the
ntelgencer; but il is nevertheless true. Our country is
growing our commerce increasing, and our relations
with foreign governments extending 1t is necessary
that the Chief Magistrate should fully into these
matt of HA 10 nd
should account to the people. And matter how long
the narrative should be, it is his duty to make it
Were he an English sovereign, Mexican President
the might be different.
The last annual message of President Polk was we
believe, longer than any which has been in before it,
1t necessarily He about to leave the helm
of state. Never had many events of the utmost i'm
potance the country been crowded into any admins
tration An immense domain had been added to our
conederacy We had been engaged in foreign war, and
the financial operations of the country had been placed
upon new and substantial basis. Our trade and
commerce with foreign nations had been regulated by
laws OF all these things the people, and the repre-
sentaives of the people, should be informed. as well
the considerations which induced them. We are
panied the cavllng spirit of the nellgencer for
had hoped that the high compliments showcred upon
the last annual message of the President by the foreign
press would have prevented citizens from view
ing it in the spirit Of factous opposition We
would suggest to such politicians that it far better
assail the statements and refue the arguments which
paper contains, than to at its extension. They
must for saying that the latter is rather shall
low Device and when resorted to, only proves that the
former cannot be effected successfully.
The remarks of the National Intelgencer on which
we have commented Introductory of TRANSACTIONS
from the Sgo dies Nueve of the I'd January contain
ing the addresses of the President of the Mexican Con-
gess and the speech of President Herrera These doc
uments interesting that lay them before our
readers with the Introductory paragraph from the Siglo
OPENING OF THE SESSION. Yesterday, the honorable
deputies and senators being met, his Excellency the
PRESIDENT THE REPUBLIC presented himself before
them accompanied by committee OF both houses; and
taking his place at the foot of the presiding officers chair
delivered the following discourse:
GENTLEMEN. Favored by the hopes of the country by
general feeling of the necessity of public order and by
tranquility which revolutions had long forbidden,
about begin the constitutional period OF
your abors happy change in the state OF things is real
zing ITSELF such rs assures under those auspices of law
ration. congratulate you, gentlemen, sincerely that
assembly Of the peoples representatives begins under
circumstances haering and BESIDES favorable to the
successful discharge Of your legislative duties.
Since the close of last session have nothing
notable announce you. The government, although
con,ending with incessant obstacles has gone forward
both steady and entirely constitutional In the
several States the spirit prevails and much is doing
the reorganization of the different public business
,ioh