Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-06
DanIeI Mebster on MnItarY Force.

In October 1882, Mr. WEBSTER addressed Conven-
ton Of the National Republican or Wing party, at
Worcester, Massachusetts,. speaking of Executive
power, and putting down notification in South
Carolina. be said:
"SIr, fer one, protest in advance against such
remedies as have heard hinted The Administra-
ton Itself keeps profound silence bat its friends
have spoken for it. We are todd sir thGt he Presi-
dent 'cia Immediately employ ts milary force and at
once blockade Charleston A military remedv--a
remedy by direct military operation has Dee, fua
suggested, and nothing else has been suggested a.
the intended means Of preserUiaq tbe J-ai0nf Sir
there is no little reason to think thar this surues
ton is true. We cannot be altogether unmndful Of
the past, and therefore We cannot be altogether
unapprehensve for the future For one. sir. raise
nv voice before hand against the uusushorizsd
employment of Military power, and against suDer-
seding the authority of the laws BY armed force
under pretence of putting down notification. THE
President HAS NO AUTHORITY TO BL0CSADE CHsRrKs-
TON THE President HAS NO AUTHORITY TO xxPtoY
MILITARY FORCE till he shall be duly required 50 ts
do by law, and by the civil authorities. His duty
is TO cause the laws TO Oe executed His duty Is 70
support the eiUa authority. His duty is, if the law be
resisted to employ the military force Of the country
if necessary, for their support and execution; ba
10 do this only in compliance lcA lGlo, and lch decis
ions of the tribunals II, by any ingenious
devices, those who resist the laws escape
from the reach of judicial authority, it Is now
Congress to make such new provisions as the exi-
gencies Of the case may demand. These pros isions
undoubtedly would !be made. With constitution
al and efficient head Of the Government with an
Administration really and truly in favor Of the
stitution the country can grapple with notification
BY the force of reason; bv the progress of eaght-
ened opinion; by the natural genuine patriotism Of
the country, and by the steady and well sustained
operations of law, the progress Of disorganization
NAV be successfully checked, and the Union main
tanned. Let il be remembered that where nullifea-
ton is most powerful. it is not unOppOsed- If we
can relieve the country from Administration
which denies 70 the constitution those powers which
are the breath of its life; if place the Gov
ernraent in the hands Of its friends; If zoe caR
cure against Be dangers Of sgIdl7fh and irregular
military force if it be placed under the lead of
an Administration whose moderation, hrmneas and
wisdom shall inspire confidence and command re-
speet; we may yet surmOunt the dangers. Humer-
Gus and formidable they are, which surround
u.s."
If DANIEI. WEBSTER alive now, what would
he say of a war declared by Executive ediet; Of an
immense army raised and equipped without au-
thority of Congress; of a blockade in defiance Of
the constitution and the law; Of kGbsas cOrpas
pended by Presidential fat OF State governments
deposed of Federal courts ignored in fine, Of al the
acts of usureation and despOtsm that have BEEN
crowded into the brief reign of the perured wrst.h
es at Washington.