The daily Wabash express. (Terre-Haute, Ind.) 1857-1867, 1861-10-26

ARGENT telegram announces with cool
ness that evidently has not been distnrbedby
any considerations Of the singularity OF the
statement. that subject Of grave import to
the interests OF the nation had occupied the
President and Cabinet for several hours,
when they decided. By vote. TO leave the
xhole matter 10 the decision OF the Pres
dent"
This assertion may be one Of the many
fables which have derived their origin from
the excited imagination of newspaper cor
respondents since the commencement OF our
unhappy national troubles, and il may be
true. whether false or true. il Is important.
as indicating an impression in the popular
mind a. TO the powers and prerogstives OF
our Chief Magistrate. which Is utterly with
out foundation, and destined to work untold
and incalculable damage il accepted and ac-
ted upoa as correct.
The members ofthc Cabinstare generally
designated as the constitutional advisers OF
the President, and they are 50. IN so FAR that
in the language of the Constitution. "he may
require the opinion. In writing. Of the primer
nal officers in each of the Executive Depart
ments. upon any subject relating to the duties
of their respective Offices" but they have no
authority other than as agents OF the fre~i-
dent-and their acts have and can have no
validity except under his sanction. The
words Of the Constitution on this point are,
the Elective power shall he vested in a
President of the United States Of America,
and. in no section CT that instrument. are any
rights conferred upon the heads OF depart
ments except where il is stated that Con
gress may. by law. invest them with authori-
" 20 appoint such inferior officers as they
fCongress) may ,hink proper.
In his recent correspondence with the
British Embassador, Secretary Seward Is
specially clear and pertinent on this subject
He saws 1.-The President Of the United States
is by the Constitution and Laws invested
with the whole executive power OF the Gov
eminent, and charged with the supreme di-
rection Of all municipal or ministerial civil
agents, as well as of the whole land and ma
val forces OF the Union;" aud further, "all
executive proceedings whittier of the secre-
tarv Of War or Secretary Of State are. unless
disavowed or revoked by the President. pro
ceedings of the President OF the United
States" showing eonclusively, that without
the approval Of the President, no Chief OF
Department can exercise executive power.
Such being the constitutional provisions,
and the Law Of the ma tier. how apparent the
fal.shood of the announcement that the
President Of the United States, the Chief
Ruler and Magistrate of great nation'
clothed with such powers, and trusted and
sustained By so many conhding millions,
should suffer himself to be permitted By rote
Of his Cabinet TO decide question OF vital
interest to the welfare OF the land. or, II the
statement be true. how fatal TO the dignity OF
his position. and 70 HE usefulness TO the coun-
try in her sad hour Of peril. Is his weakness
No man had ever before. In the history OF
our national life. grayer responsibility than
that which rests upon the shoulders OF our
Executive. or a wider field for the employ.
rnent OF governing qualities. than the one
which The wild disorder Of our affairs has
opened 10 NJ LINCOLN: and Is he about TO
shift his accountability and surrender his
splendid opportunities TO those who are but
MS Deputies God forbid No : Let him.
like brave old JACKSON. assume the respon
sibiiisy and take the consequences" Strong
in hi conscious purpose To administer the
Government with strict regard TO the equal
right. OF all. suto render impartial justice
10 every man. le, him exercise has escn good
judgement. and be. as be ought, rHr PRrsr-
prSr Of the United States. and the cxpectans
nation viii no, only uphold. but honor and
revere him. and his name will so down to
history high on the list OF the immortal ones
marked in our national calendar.