Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-08-30
Mr.. sherman aud the Acts of the PresI-
dent.


Those who arc grasping after everything
aud anything that they think can be used to
divide loyal citizens and embarrass tho gov
crnment, are Just now harping upon Sena-
tor Shorman's refusal TO vote for a resolu-
ton declaring all the acts of the President
before the meeting of Congres to have been
provided for by the terms Of the Constitu-
ton and strictly legal. They seek to con-
strue this position Of that gentleman upon
question of fact into censure of the PresI-
dent, and by it to justify their own hostility
aud hatred of the government.
The Congressional Globe furnishes the
following report of Mr.. Sherman's remarks
in the Senate on the subject: Hf
Mr.. SHERMAN. Mr.. President, il was my
purpose quietly to vote against resolution
without expressing any opinion about it;
but the attitude in which the question is
now presented makes it necessary for me to
submit simply the results Of my judgement,
made without passion or prejudice.
The first three acts enumerated in the
preamble of this resolution, would vote
heartily 10 approve. l believe they were
right and proper-strictly legal, and strictly
constitutional. l believe the President had
the right, it was a part Of the power of sup
pressing an insurection, to blockade the
ports Of the United States or any of them.
| / do not believe the President Of the United
States has the power TO suspend the writ Of
haJeGs corpus, because that power is ex-
pressly given Congress, aud to Congress
alone. l do not believe the President Of
the United States has the power to increase
the regular army, because that power is ex-
pressly given by the Constitution 10 Con.
gress alone; and therefore | cannot vote
for either of the last three propositions
the fourth, fifth or sixth. Still | approve
Of the action of the President. l believe
the President did right He did precisely
what | would have done had been in hi;
place-no more, no less; but cannot here
in my place, aud as Senator, under oath
declare that it was strictly legal, and il
consonance with tho provisions of the Con
stituton. l shall therefore be compelled
to vote against the resolution, although
endorse and ratify and approve, as a mat
ter of public necessity, every act of the Ad
mistration.
In letter TO the Cincinnati Gazette, Mr.
; Sherman restates his position as follows:
While l approved and justified the act
of the President, could not say with Sen
ator Wilson that they were strictly legal o
or within the delegated powers. There arr
4, times when our executive officer must an
ticipate the action of Congress, but in sucl
a case he assumes the hazard of "Bill Q
impeachment" or "Bill of Indemnify
The President merely assumed power no
delegated to him by the Constitution. H
places his own justification in his message
on the ground of public necessity, and OIL
this ground bis acts have been approved
justified and legalized By Congress.
1t will be seen at once by any but seces
sion eyes that Mr.. Sherman not only ap
proves of all the acts of the President, bu
declares-"He (Mr. Lincoln,) did precisel
aUhat / a0ould hare done, if had been i
a his place-no moro no lessp Will thos
who affect so much qualification at Nj
Q Sherman's position, say as much?
$ To approve an act as being rendered neC
essary and proper by the exigencies of tn
r case, is one thing; while to assert that sue
J. case was foreseen and full provision mad
i for it, is quite different matter No
v that the Vallites have commenced approx
' ing Mr.. Sherman's acts, we trust they wi
n be more liberal in the use Of his example.