The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-05

hey already have an understanding on the
question, as they had in the case Of the inter
ruption of their trade in China And who can
doubt that their joint action will be again
equally decisive? Should the President, there
tore, carry out the policy indicated in his in
augural, he may calculate not only upon war
with fifteen Southern States, but disastrous
war with England and France in less than six
months.
CoERCIvE POLICY OF THE ADMINISTRATION
How rs IT TO BIZ CARRIED INTO EFFECT Now
That it appears likely that the new administra-
ton win attempt to reinforce Fort Sumter and
to retake the property. which has been surren-
dered to the authorities Of the seeding States,
1t becomes . question Of the first importance
as to how this rather difficult task is to be ac-
complisheds Congress has adjourned without
acting upon the Force bill, which provided
that the President should have plenary power
to call on the militia of the several States to
assist in quelling instruction. This bill was
killed, first, because 1t conflicts with the con-
stitution, which provides that the United States
shall protect the several States against "domes-
tic violence, on application of the Legisla-
ture, or of the Executive when the
Legislature cannot be convened" In 1892
Congress authorized the President to >call out
the militia to put down insurrecion but the
act was violently opposed, and its operation
was limited to two years time. A similar act
passed three years afterwards, was repealed.
Gen. Jacksons famous Force bill was only
temporary measure, and was looked upon as
bad precedent. Thus we see that Congress,
from time to time, has clothed the Executive
with doubtful powers to meet extraordinary
emergencies; but the Legislature has been
careful to resume its paramount authority as
the war making and money spending power
Secondly, the Force bill failed because the
moderate republicans were averse TO coercion
until all other means had failed.
In this view Of the matter, Mr.. Lincoln will
have some difficulty In finding the means
wseTewith to carry out his programme. He
can call an extra session OF Congress-
but then he runs the risk of breaking up his
administration, as has been the case on former
occasions, and 1t is by no means certain that
than Its predecessor. lie cannot increase the
army and navy beyond the limit of the law,
and within that limit he cannot find q suf-
fcicnt number of troops to put down the
southern army, which numbers thirty thou
sand determined men, accustomed to the use of
arms from early youth. As for the navy, it is
quito useless, nearly all the best vessels being
at the other end Of the world. Then, again,
IL is quite probable that very large number
Of officers, both Of the army and navy, will
resign rather than draw their swords against
their countrymen. Add TO all this the fact
that the very moment civil war In inaugurated
an irrcpressiblc conflict will break out be-
tween the radicals and tho moderatcs Of the
republican party, and Il will be seen that II
vi require wiser heads than those In the now
administration 70 carry on. lhe programme
which the cxisencies Of the party demand.
A Trsy QUESTION RoR PrEsrxST Lrvcorx--
Our recent a6yices from Montgomery contain
the intelligence that Hon. A. d. Roman, OF
Louisiana; Hon. Martin y. Crawford, of
Georgia, and Hon. John Forsytb. Of Alabama,
Jaw 1e.h npIttisith wv oVutnsfu iou~
gress Commissioners 10 proceed 10 Washington
and settle, II possible. the diAscaities which
exist between tho two governments In relation
To The distribution Of public property.
This Is grand opportunity for display Of
hat much Wanted Jacl sonisn grin which, byrc-
publican organs, the country has been led to cx-
poet from the new administration. The principlc
has been broadly laid down by the republican
party and liz representative head that the
South, being in state Of revolution. l. necessa-
rly In state OF rebellion. This being the case,
these three Commissioners, first. must have the |
courage to 20 10 Washington and run The risk |
Of tho reception which may there await them.
If not, they are unworthy OF the people and In
tercsts they represent Second, II rrcsidea.
Lincoln carries out his policy and has pluck In 4
proportion TO his inches. he must have every /
one OF these gentlemen arrco.cd on the spot for /
reason, indicted tried and hung on Capitol
Hill. Let him fail 10 do this, and he ssultlate /
himself and his party They viii be IN Wash.
bgtcn In few doya Watch Ard prayi \