The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-01
A Constitutional President.

Having published, yesterday, an extract from
General TAYLoR's Allison letter, it may not be
inappropriate TO refer again to the views there
in set forth in relation to Executive duties and
Executive encroachments.
When the CONSTITUTION makes it the duty
I of the PRESIDENT To recommend to Congress
such measures as he shall Judge necessary and
expedient, it plainly confers upon him an initia-
tive function in matters of Legislation; not an
exclusive tunction-for Congress may origi-
nate, mature, and adopt measures of legisa-
ton at its own discretion and in the exercise Of
its lawful powers. Ii may also decline to adopt
the measures recommended by the PRESIDENT
Thus the Executive and the Legislative de-
partments of the Government are left free TO
act in their respective spheres of duty.
When the PRESIDENT, after full and delbe-
rate consideration, has recommended TO Con
gress measure which he deems necessary or
expedient in view of the public good; and when
measure of different kind, involving the
same subject, is proposed and urged in Con-
gress, it is not made the duty of the PRESIDENT
to recede from his well-considered recommends
ton. No; the CONSTITUTION does not enjoin
that
To insist that the EXECUTIVE ought not, by
any improper interference with the deiibera-
tons Of Congress, attempt to constrain the ac-
ton of that body in favor Of measure recon-
mended by the President, is one thing-and it
is very well; but To seek TO weaken the EXEC
UTIvE recommendation in Congress by intima-
lions that the PRESIDENT has wavered in his
views concerning it when he has not-that he
has given way TO doubts when his convictions
remain unshaken-that, it is apparent, is a very
different thing. Here the tendency of en-
enactment would be reversed, and the sphere
of the EXECUTIVE would be invaded.
The recommendations of the PRESIDENT,
calmly and thoughtfully made, are entitled TO
their full and Just influence in the two houses
the Executive in the discharge of his constitu-
tional obligations nor can il be supposed that
man chosen TO the high position of the Presi-
dency, by the votes of his fellow citizens
throughout the whole country, would be likely
10 suggest, for grave purposes Of Legislation and
=
thy Of the most respectful attention. To charge
him with an attempt TO dictate because he ad-
heres 10 the propnety Of recommendations duly
considered before submitted. would be TO de-
nounce consistency, and TO assume towards him
the attitude Of dictation.
These views. here set forth, are no doubt
very simple yet we believe they are none the
less true for being simple, nor any the less APP
| ProPrlate recurrence 10 first principles is
often salutary, when warmth and excitement
/ prevailing IN the public councils. are apt to
| produce more or less confusion Of views II is
notorious, moreover, that the President has
been charged with the want of a concilatory
disposition in the matter Of the territorial con
irOversy, because he does not signify an aban-
donment Of his own recommendations on the sub
Ject, and give the influence Of his position in sup
/ port Of the plan now before the Senate combining
| that question with various others. We are not
aware that the President has attempted
unduly te influence Congress te adopt his
suggestions in relation 10 California and the
/ Territories and it seems, we must confess
rather extraordinary than otherwise that any o.
the advocates Of the aggregate plan Of the
Senate's committee should complain Of the Par
sIDEST because he does not take occasion 10 in.
dictate a preference for the policy Of that plan
when his recommendation Of different policy
stands officially recorded in his annual message
The duty Of the Executive in this matter be.
ing performed, il remains for Congress TO act
! This comprises, we believe, the present state
Of the case.