The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-09-12
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
WEDNESDAY, MORNING SEPT. Is, IsAs.

WEDNESDAY, MORNING SEPT. Ia, IsAe.
Tn. California Usarpasioa. New Orleans Conn
nsrciai BuiIetin.
0urreaders viii remember that some time since we called
the public attention to the handed usupaon OF which
Gen. Taylor had been guilty. by ordering General Riley to
establish and reorganize the government which exist
ed in California under the Mexican dominion 1t was
90 plain that General Taylor had by that order exercised
kngy prerogatyes in defiance OF the constitution that
neither Of the government organs in this city had the
hardhood to defend his conduct They evidently saw
that this illegal and unauthorized proceeding of the ad
minstton intended to promote the interests Of the
wing party by dsposing of the slavery agitation without
forcing General Taylor to disclose his sentiments the
Wimot Proviso and they doubtless approved the
ment account Of the motive which prompted it, while
they We're unwilling, with their settled contempt for
the intelligence Of the people. to stufy themselves be-
fore the country by undertaking to defend the admins
traon either by preceden from past history by
guments drawn from the nature Of institutions, and
from the principles Of the constitution.
The wing press generally has followed the example
set BY the organs at Washington, and has manifested
determination to avoid any discussion this subject
which might have the effect Of directing public attention
to the violence that has been inflicted the constitn
ton We perceive, however, that the Commercial Bull
letn published New Orleans, has, with zeal than
discretion failed to initiate the example of it's cotempo
rares Of the wing press; and being evidently ignorant of
the principles involved in Gen. Taylors orders to Gen.
Riley. and OF the terms Of Gen. Rileys procamations
the people Of California that journal endeavors defend
the conduct Of the cabinet and to assa the views we
advanced in our former articles this subject In doing
90, does than indicate determination to sup
port the administration at all hazards, while conceas
with great any knowledge OF the relations which
exist between the territories and the federal government
and Of the division Of power between Congress and the
Executive-if, indeed, il has any to conceal.
1t requires no little charity treat the article which
appeared in the. Commercial Bulletin of the 2sth of
August. as worthy Of serious reply. But as we
willing always to treat adversares with courtesy,
and il is difficult to prescribe the limits of human folly
prefer thu safe side. and reply to the points
made in the Bulletin as the offspring Of weakness and not
of wckedness although might attribute them to the
latter motive. without justly mourning the charge Of
liberaliy. In former articles after republshing
the proclamatons Of General Riley, which not only
declared the Mexican ldrs to be in full force in
California but re-established the Mexican government
which annhilaed by the treaty of peace, and ap.
pointed day on which the people should proceed to elect
we held the following language:
We have been taught that the constitution expressly
gives to Congress the power 'make all needal rules
and regulations respecting the territory be-
longing the United Sate and that there was no au
thorty in any other branch of the government make
such rules and regulations"
And speaking of New Mexico and California, we said
further.
Under the constitution government can exist in those
il lot bv nd fhe
President has legal authority Them which the acts
of Congress do not give him.
These are the only two sentences which the Bulletin
fit to quote from articles and these two it calls
singular CONCESSIONS which, in the opn.
ion Of that sapent print yields up the rights of the South
and admits the principles imboded in the Wilmot Pro.
vso. 1t waste of words TO reply to such empty
Stiffness as thisis but will do so for the reasons we
have already mentioned We should not omit however,
to warn the southern people against the mischief such
defenders as the Commercial Bulletin may do them BY
placing their upon shallow untenable and dicu-
ous grounds The language OF the first extract above
the language OF the constitution, and gives to Congress-
in the most unequvcca MANNER the power to make all
needu rules and regulations respecting the territory and
other property Of the United States and OF course it de-
MES to the President the power make any rule or regu
ation respecting such territory other property We
nave not In this connexion undertaken say what pow
es this constitutional provision gives to the federal
legislature; but have contented ourselves with pro-
testing against the usurpation by the President Of
whatever power il wthholds from the Executive and
gives TO Congress- We did not think necessary to re-
terate opinions which have expressed SO often and
90 frankly that who reads paper even with
careless eye, can possibly mistake them. The municipal
regulations consistent with the constitution OF the United
States which in force in New Mexico and Califor
MIA when they were acquired by the United States may
remain in force and the laws of nations may give some
rights to the inhabitants Of those territories but no gov
eminent can be established there by the President of the
United States under the provisions of our constitution
Whatever needful rules and regulations may properly
be made for those territories be prescribed by Con-
gress; for, under he constitution, no other branch Of
the government can righhully prescribe them II has
been customary, improperly perhaps to speak Of pre-.
scrbing rules and regulations as prescribing govern
ment; and in that the verest caver cannot find
fault with the second extract above which calls forth the
il-considered denunciatons of the Bulletin Congress
cannot delegate to territorial government any authority
which Congress itself cannot rghtfuly exercise Thai
is the true principle which the southern people should
contend for When they abandon that and take up the
idea which the Commercial Bulletin seems to entertain
that If the Vords "fsrritory other property near