Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1859-02-24
SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
WOODSTOCK, VT.
THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY "a, 1859.
The present Congress will close its Iabors in

The present Congress will close its labors in
few days, and we shall then be able to ascer-
tain what has been accomplished Thus far, the
present session has not been very prolific in re-
suits, but in the last few days much may be
" finished up" and as it seems absolutely neces-
sary certain things should be accomplished to
prevent the calling of an extra session, we can
not believe the spirit of reckessness, which has
20 far prevailed, will be extended to the close Of
the session, and the constitutional adjournment
ensne with the most important business unfn-
shed.
On the 18th, the President communicated 10
the Senate and House of Representatives, a
message, setting forth the condition of affairs in
relation to the hazardous situation of American
citizens and their property whilst in transit
across the isthmus, between our Atlantic and
Pacific possessionsand urging upon Congress the
Importance Of Legislative action, before the adj
journment. As the powers of the Executive Gov
ernment of this country, extend to diplomacy
only, the President very properly recommends
the passage of an act, authorizing the President,
under such restrictions as they may deem pro-
per, to employ the land and naval force1 in the
United States IN preventing the Transit from
being obstructed or closed by lawless violence
aud In protecting the lives and property Of
American citizens travelling thereupOn,--rc-
quirig at the same time, that these forces shall
be withdrawn the moment the danger shall have
passed away. He further says:
Without the authority of Congress, the Pres.
ilent cannet lawfully direct any force, however
near it may be to the scene of difficulty, to cn-
ter the territory of Mexico, Nicaragua, or New
Granada, for the purpose of defending the per-
soma and property of American citizens, even
though they may be violently assaied, whilst
passing in peaceful transit over the Tehaunte,
pee, Nicaragua, or Panama routes. lie cannot.
without transcending his constitutional power,
direct a single gun to be fired into fort, or land
seaman or marine to protect the lives Of our
conntrymen on shore, or to obtain redress fer u
recent outrage on their property. The banditti
which infest our neighborng Republic of MNi-
co, always claiming to belong to one or the 9th
er Of the hostile parties, light make sudan
descent on Vera Cruz, or the Tehuantepcc route,
and he would have no power to employ the force
on ehipboard in the vicinity for their re!iet
either to prevent the plumber of our merchants,
or the destruction of the Transit.
therefore earnestly recommend 10 Congress,
on whom the responsibility rests, to pass law
before their adjournment, comforting on the
President the power to protect the lives and
property of American citizens in the cases which
l have indicated, under such restrictions and
conditions as they may deem advisable The
knowledge that such a law exists would, Of
ITSELF go far to prevent the outroges which it is
intended to redress, and render the employment
Of force unnecessary. Without this, the Pres;
dent Of the United States may be placed in a
painful position, bcfOr the meeting of the next
Congress, in the present dist urbed condition Of
Mexico, and one or more Of the other republics
south of US, no person can toresee what occur
7ences may take place before that period,