The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-04-15
rHE uNIrEn srArEs AND GREAT BRITAIN.


In another part of our paper this morning will be found
an article from the London Times of the 26th ulmo, in
which comparison instituted between the forms of free
government in the United States and England the writer
might have been expected arriving at the conclusion
that in the balance Of the institutions of the two coun
tries the scale OF British freedom preponderate The
loyal subjects Of Frederick Ferdinand the Gar have
doubt decided preference for their respective forms Of
government and persuaded possibly that they enjoy
large share of civil and religious freedom as the ct
of republic We are, therefore, not surprised that
intelligent Englishmen in their admiration of govern
which partially recognises the representative pnc
pie and is senslby influenced by constitutional restraints
should exaggerAe the blessings which they have fairly and
boldly won and we may with much truth add temporarily
enjoyed.
The Times well but its premises irrecon
cilable with facts and betray the sheerest ignorance Of
the institutions of country and the workings of
government Its conclusions necessarily fall to the ground
In its comparison between the two governments no mem
ton is made Of the Queen of England the House OF
Lords Their existence is sndiously ignored. The gov
eminent alone consists of House of Commons and the
Premier for the time being the Premier er o6eo, having
exclusive executive and senatorial powers and functions
But argues the Times the people of Engand can at any
revoke this great power by condemnaiory vote
of their representatives in the House Of Commons and
herein they possess larger share Of liberty than
the people Of the United States for the latter elect
their President for term of four years. and no mat
how rashy yranncaly he may exercise the dele
gated sovereign power, there is and can be no re-
dress until the expiration of that period He can SO as
serts the Times violate the clearly wishes OF
majority Of his constituents with perfect mpunity lie
cam he peases disturb destroy the relations Of the
Union with any State in the universe against all the
wishes of his fellow citizens but until the expiration Of
his term of Office "his authority could not be mpeached
nor his policy efisctually controlled
Is the Times aware of the existence Of such nstru-
ment the constitution of the United States in which the
power duties Of the executive legislative and judicial
branches of the federal clearly carefully
and strictly defined There is scarcely school-boy in
the Union that does not know that the war-naking
power is, not lodged with President alone, but lie
Jointly with the Executive and the two houses Of Con-
gress The treaty making power is lodged with the Ex-
ecutve and the Senate and jealous were the trainers
of the constitution in regard to the aggregation of exces-
sve power in the hands of the Chief Magistrate that the
appointing power with which he is invested not SOLE but
divided. The President appoint person to Office
.
From the very nature his office the President is
sary invested with large powers but those powers are
so guarded with checks restraints and remedial appeals
that it would be impossible for him 10 commit with mpu'
nifty the excuses limited at by the Times Without the
collision of the Senate the appointing power could not De
used for corrupt purposes Without COLLISION from the
treaties opposed to the honor or prndica TO
the interests of the country could not be made Withnn'
1x 80 No., war
be entered into As the supplies for the support Of the
army and navy from Congress, Congress virtually
has control over these two branches of the national de-
fence 1t true that obnoxious President unlike an
obnoxious Premier cannot be reached by condennatory
resolution but should be attempt to set the laws and the
constitution defiance his would be
rested before the expiration Of his term by impeachment
and trial. s 5a5a f 4. NJ
Nomnaly the executive branch, if it may be so termed
of the British be overturned every mouth
if the House of Commons wills it. But shrswd Prime
Minister with the immense patronage of the
his unadvised and undisputed and not scrupu
lous in its use retain power for period four times
long presidential term Direct and frequent account
ability all very wein theory in England but it not
practice if have read correctly the history Of thn
country Sir Robert Wapole was in Office some twenty
years The Pelhams in Office for the same length 81
time. Pitt in power from extreme youth until q
short time prior to his death Sir Robert Peel and Lord
John Russell were Prime Ministers for much longer pc
rod than presidential term.
England has constitution and House of Commons
which has of the elements of popular representation
popular WILL and here the parallel with this country
as the Executive and upper branch Of the imperial
legislature hereditary not elective We Of the United
States believe that under the workings of free repub
institutions, enjoy larger share of civil and re-
gious freedom than was before vouchsasd to any
ton in the world The Times thinks that we mistaken
and that England with its hes and taxes standing army
and standing clergy close boroughs and hereditary law
makers is the favored nation With such harmless be.
lief which to us largely Of delusion have moi
the slightest wish TO interfere.
IOWA ELECTION.
Extract of letter to gentleman in this city from
friend in Iowa city, under date Of April 8: