The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-29
Strange Doctrines.

III We were To adopt the argus tor our exponent
OF the theory OF our Government and the powers
and functions of the President we should find thai
we had very widely misconceived both; that Wash
lngton, instead of giving US, in his farewell adj
dress, the best commentary these subjects that
has ever been penned, was absolutely aboring I'M
der hallucination; and that the trainers of the
celebrated resolutions of '9S did not know what
they were about. Ii was not long ago that the Ar.
gus attributed 1t to General Taylor, as a henous
dereiiction of duty for which he merited the Sc
verest censure that he did not il to be made
known TO Congress- before he was installed in the
Presidency, what were his opinions, and what
would be his future course of action in relation to
California. In the olden time ii thought there
was no medium of communication between the Pres
ident and Congress but by messages; and a Pres
ident who should have presumed to make known to
Congress through any other channel his opinions OF
pubic measures, pending its deliberations thereon,
would have been censured for interfering with the
rights and influencing the independent action OF
Congress. There have, it is true been some in
stances, under the modern rule of Democracy, in
which such staid notions were set at Defiance but
the practice has nevertheless been decried by all
discreet men who hold to original principles and re-
we're the democracy Of the earliest period of the Re-
public. But what would have been the result if
General Taylor had been guilty of the folly and in
discretion, for not committing which the Argus
condemned him! He would Justly have forfeited
the good opinion of his friends, and been over
whelmed by tempest of condemnation and oblo-
guy from his enemies. There would have been not
one eye to pity, nor one hand to him from po-
litical perdition.
Butstrange may seem this doctrine of making
the President dictator TO Congress in the most lat
itudinous sense-or he may not only make his will
known after, but before he takes his seat in the
Presidential chair-the power claimed for him in
yesterdays Argus Is yet startling; for il
clothes the President with authority form an al
lance with foreign powers for the purpose of making
war upon nation with whom the United States are
| upon terms of the closest amity; and like Don
| Quixotte, TO take the field for the spRorEcrIoN
which WE OWE to the oppressed Of every cline" But
we will quote the whole paragraph, for it affords
| matter for serious reflection:
"Another crisis in Europe arises-the most pow
erful despot OF that whole continent arrogantly at
| tempts to brighten weaker government from her
propriety by threats and menaces and all ewes are
| strained TO ascertain the grand denouement. Eng
land and France raise their voices in solemn pro-
test against the inhuman butcheries sought TO be
perpetrated by the Gar of Russia in demanding of
turkey surrender of the Hungarian patriots who
have sought refuge within her dominions Yet,
while these powers taking so decided stand
and intimating determination TO maintain il at
all hazards, we find our own Government, so far
looking on with perfect indifference, and making
no move whatever towards vindicaton of those
great truths and principles which are held sacred
by the enlightened nations Of the earth. And
while monarchy like England is proclaiming in
thunder-ones her deep detestation of such conduct
shall the model republic of the world be SILENT
Shall We, whose name has always been respected
whose influence has always been acknowledged
and whose voice has always been heard-shall m.
refuse To assume responsibility demanded OF Us BY
| the highest dictates Of humanity-by our national
seif-respect-and by that protection which we owe
10 the oppressed Of every cline, Turkey needs all
the aid which she procure To sustain her in the
noble stand which she has taken, and our Govern
lnent should be prompt 10 offer such encouragement
as may be in her power"
| That the stand taken by England and France in
| behalf of Turkey is noble and praiseworthy, no.
body will deny; but it should be borne in mind that
they have vital interests stake ia espousing the
cause Of Turkey. Why then should they be ex-
allied by comparison disparaging 10 our Govern
| menp And why should the President or the Gov
eminent Of the United States be denounced as faith
| less 20 the honor and duty which they owe their
country, because they stand aloof from quarrel in
| which their country has no part lott And yet
the Argus reproaches the Administration of Gene
raj Taylor for not involving the United States in
war With Russia "a aid Turkey, who has no claim
upon them 70 Justify so great a sacrifce-as if the
United States were TO set themselves up the great
Judges and srbiters Of the controversies among the
nations OF the whole earth, and the bound protec.
tors Of the rights Of the injured
| We have not written these remarks with view
10 controversy with neighbor; but in all sin.
certify TO guard the public against such dan gcrous
doctrines as he has brosched II they are orthodox
according 70 the canons Of the progressive Democ.
racy Of the day, IL is proper that the people at large
should know Il, that they may govern themselves
! accordingly. If not, we hope our neighbor will
declare the fact, and take the responsibility upon
hlH own shoulders. Norfolk Herald 25h