Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-09-04
The Army Approximation.


The Army appropriation Bill has finally
passed 10Th houses without thefprovisO. 1t
passed on Saturday, and Congress adjourned
the same day. We mus, still look upon
this entire proceeding as we have ever done,
as an unjust usurpation on the part OF the
Sens,e, and an outrageous attempt On the
part of that body to strike down the express
sed will of the people, through the popular
branch of Congress. That many of the
laws CT Kansas are of the most a,rocious
character is not denied by any one. The
National InteEieescer characterizes them as
ga disgrace to the country and to its free
institutions. They are greater Invasion
of public liberty than were the acts which
brought the head OF Charles |. to the block
This is the sentiment of all honest men
of all parties. 1t was to prevent the exec u
lion of these disgraceful laws, that the
House of Representatives interposed its
arm. Bear in mind, the House did not re-
fuse to pass the appropriation, they merely
said that roae of the money so appropriated
should be used to enforce these bnoxious
laws. The Senate on the contrary, insisted
that the money should be 50 used and
hence their conflict.
But, say the DsmocracI-, it an unjust rsur-
patton of power On the part Of the House of
Representatives. JAMES MADISON, in speak
ing or The resPeotipa power of the two houses
of Congress, says
Notwithstanding the equal authority which
will subsist between the two Houses on all
Legislative subjects, except the. originating
Of money bills, it cannot be doubted that the
House, composed of the greatest number
when supported by the more powerful
States, and speaking the known and deter
mined sense of the People, will have no
small advantage in question depending on
the comparative 6rmness of.he two Houses.
This advantage must be increased by the
consciousness felt on the same side, of be-
ing supported in its demands by rights, BY
reason and by the Constitution; and the
consciousness on the opposition eide, of con-
tending against all these solemn considera-
tions.
These cons iderations seem to afford am
pie security on this subject. Admitting
however that they should all be insufficient
TO subdue the unjust policy of the smalle.
States or their predominant influence in the
councils OF the Senate.
Such state OF things has recently trans
pired in our Congress. What course does
Mr MADISON recommend. He says
A con stitution and infallible resource still
remains pifh the largest STATES. The House
Of Representatives. can rot only refuse, but
they alone can propose the supplies requisite
for the support of Government. They in
word hold The Purse, that powerful instru-
ment by which we behold in the history of
the British Constitution an infant and hum
bic representation of the People gradually
snlarging the sphere ofits activity and I'M
portance; anG finally reducing, as far as it
seems to have wished, all the overgrown
prerogatiyes of the other branches of the
Government. This power over the purse
may,iE fact be reg garded as the most complete
and effectual weapon with which any con-
stitutiun can arm the immediate representa-
lives of the people, FOR OBTAINING A
REDRESS OF EVERY GRIEVANCE
AND FOR CARRYING INTO EFFECT
EVERY JUST AND SALUTARY MEAS
URE.
This is precisely what our friends in the
H,use have been doing. They refused to
appropriate money to promote disorder and
crime. They refuse to be parties to the
enforcement of laws which are ga disgrace
to the country and to its free institutions" !"
This then is to be characterized as rerolu-
tionary. Dare any apologist of JAMES
BUCHANAN defend these Kansas Laws!
Dare any OF them defend the action of their
particular friends in Kansas! We think
not.