Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-21
The War-making POwer-Senator
masOn,s Bill.

the power to declare and make war, is vested
not in the President, but in Congress. On n,
account would the wise and patriotic Trainer
Of the Constitution vest that most importan
power in the Executive. To the President i
entrusted the power, and it is his duty. TO ne
gotsate for the redress of wrongs inflicted or
the persons and property Of our citizens b,
foreign authorities; and after having exhaust
ed in vain the means of negotiation, if, in hi
opinion, the case be one calling for the use o
force on the part Of the Government Of tn
United States. it becomes his further duty t,
lay the case before Congress, with all the ne
cessary information connected with it, and t.
recommend to Congress to authorize resor
to arms. And Congress, after investigating
the circumstances with all the care and gravi
ty which 30 important matter imperatively
demands, may, in its wisdom, either grant t.
the Executive authority and means for tn,
use Of the needful force, or it may refuse tC
do so, and definitely and conditionally, or in
definitely and without condition, postpone q
resort to war, the ultima ratio, of Republics as
well as of "Kings."
session of Congress in reference to Paraguay
and the only conrse which has been pursued
since the adoption of the Constitution, and
the only course, in fact, which can be pur-
sIed consistently with the letter and the spirit
OF that instrument.
Why may not the same course be pursued
now! The preamble to Mr.. MAsoN's bill sets
forth that, .'by reason of the distracted and
revolutionary condition of Mexico, of certain
of the States of Central America, and Occas-
sionally of those in South America. well
the property as the lives and liberties of
American citizens, peaceably and rightfully
within their respective limits, are subjected
to lawless violence, &C.. and fer redress there
OF negotiation and remonstrance, in the forms
OF diplomatic intercourse, are attempted in
vain, &C."
Very well, Congress is now in session.
What binders the President from specifically
laying before that body each case in which,
in his judgment, negotiation and remonstrance
on his part having proved unavailng, it be-
comes the duty Of the United States to resort
to force as the only means of securing redress!
What, we say, binders the President from
pursuing this constitutional course, and the
only course, as we have before remarked,
which has been pursued from the foundation
of the Government in similar cases?
Instead of which it is proposed, by the bill
of Mr.. Mason, that Congress shall clothe the
President with authority ''to use the land and
naval forces of the United States against
Mexico. the States of Central America, and
those Of South America, in any case, in which
In has opinion, such forcible interposition on his
part shall be demanded For Congress to do
this, would be to transfer to the President,
from its own body, with whom the Constitu-
tion has placed it, the war-making power, in
regard to Mexico, the States of Central Amer
lea, and those Of South America! Well, If
Congress ought or can do this in reference to
those States, why not in reference to the whole
world But can Congress do this, consistent
~ with the spirit and the Letter Of the Const-
tuition? Can il denude itself of this great
power, which the Constitution has said, Il
shall exercise, and transfer it to the President,
from whom the trainers OF the Constitution
purposely withheld it, Congress may, ac-
cording to our reading and understanding of
the Constitution, authorize the President to
use force upon the happening of n specified
contingency in case where negotiation has
already been tried, and with a knowledge of
oil the circumstances attending it-as, for in
stance, the persistent refusal of a foreign
State to afford redress IN a specific case which
Congress had investigated, and come to the
conclusion that it would be right and proper
to exact redress by force of arms, If il should
not be promptly afforded upon another and
final application by the President But in such
a case as that. it would be Congress, and not
the President. who would decide the question,
rs to whether war should be made. Whereas
by Mr.. MAsOS's bill, the power conferred up
on the President fully authorizes him to make
war upon Mexico, the States Of Central Amer
lea, and those of South America. in any and
oil cases, (not Investigated and passed upon
by Congress,) but in any and all cases where
the President thinks the time tor negotiation
has'ceased. and the hour for war has arrived.
spark often kindles great fire. Who
can tell when war an, commenced by the Pres
ident Of the United States, without Congress
knowing anything of the merits OF the ques-
ton. but at the discretion OF one man, him
self the head Of party, and possibly COM
menced for party purposes-to direct public
attention, it may be, from important domestic
questions-who can tell, we ask, the conse-
quences, Immediate and remote-the amount
of taxation il will render neccssary-the in
crease of the public debt-the possible, II no,
probable, collisions with European powers--
the disastrous effects upon our agricultural and
commercial interests, which may result from
war thus begun! The manufacturing interests
would undoubtedly be subseryed bysuch war;
but the planting interests, how could they
be promoted by il. Il might be "fan" for the
provision-raising regions of the Northwest
"fun" and rich proceeding for the legion Of
contractors and jobbers, who rarely. If ever,
come from the Soats; but To the agricultural
interests OF the South, what can possibly
enure to their benefit from any war, foreign or
domestic! VIII any Of the advocates OF Mr.. |
MAsos's bill do US the favor TO answer this
question:
The truth Is, ns we verify believe. that the |
Administration and its followers, feeling that
they are in great party exigencies, by reason |
Of questions OF hOale policy pressing upon
them, world be willing. and would not hesi- |
tate, II the Mssos bill passes Congress, 10 OF 1
spa w1r for The oocaaoa, with Mexico W solnv 1
osher foreign power,
e.l.s s- .s4si G-ea tsa .lef 80 "a. o.