Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-01-04
TIE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
THE PRESIDENTS "USURpATIoN."

The opposition are far from being unanimous in
their tenancistiou of President Pierce Tor sending i'll
his message III advance of IN election Of Speakcr.-
The question is presented in strong light by the
Washington correspondent of the Philadeph North
American, a decided opposition journal. 1t must be
admitted by all reasonable men that the President
was perfectly justified in not delaying for an indeh
mite period the transmission of intelligence of most
important character, which may lead TO momentous
results. The failure of the House to proceed 10 the
discharge of its duties furnishes no reason why the
President should refuse to execute high trust and
carry out the plainly written commandments OF the
Constitution lie has presented facts and arguments
clearly and strongly the people and their represen-
tsves and he leaves it to the latter to perform their
6uty and pursue tho proper measures called for by the
exisenc:es Of the case
After Tho first sensation of astonshment had sub.
eided the question immediately rose as to The recep-
ton Of the document and the right of the President
TO communicate il under existing circumstances
Considerable cutlery was made al Inc dangerous IN
novation of such precedent, ana tie uSua changes
were rung on the new feature III Executive usurpa-
ton. After calmly investigating this matter, have
not been able to discover that may great wrong, such
as WAS charged to-day, has been committed. 1t Is
tru., - Gc.epted usage has been for the President
to whit until officially notified o! the organization o
Congress before sending in lfs annual ncssa-e. But
this custom has resulted rather from Difference L" the
habit of the BRITISH Parliament in its intercourse
with tho Crown, than from any injunction OF our own
oone:itution or from any principle incident TO our III
stitutions. Between the coordinate branches ct tbs
government there cersaly should be certain share
OF diynied consideration. towards each other but II
will hardly be pretended that the observance OF an
eup.v ceremonial should be allowed to interiors with
important public interests.
II is, strictly speaking, wholly discretionary with
the President when he shall inform Congress "of :hc
state Of the Onion" required by the Constitutions
The practice has been 10 communicate the day after
.ho r1.e;ng of Congress. Now Congress has been
in session tour weeks, and when it is alleged that the
President does properly know of lis presence,
owing 10 the failure OF the House 10 organize. must
be upon the presumption that tie is ignorant at
fe clause of the Constitution directing II 10 assem-
BILE, annually, on the first Monday in December. lie
has known that fact for nearly II whole month, nnd
lie kusw. besides, that indication, thus far Sven
warranted him in suPposng that any day might be
named when the House would be better prepared TO
yscsive u communications
No effort is required 10 suppose case IN which II
Nigh. DO Of the highest Importance for the PRESIDENT
10 council with the House OF Representatives, rs a
branch Of the wsr-makiug power. and by denying
him tina, privilege the country might be preepitated
into al emergency from which speedy or satisfactory
extrioation would be difficult