Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-16
The Lincoln DespOtism.

The Richmond Wing desires that IT'S readers
should not for moment lose sight OF the Migrant
usurpations committed by LINCOLN, IN ms war upon
the Soutb IT'S true we have no further interest
=; ,bo ,o,st,utntion of the United States; but the
;rfr.o,;ors If that instrument by the Executive,
who nrofesses to seek only its preservation, vii
tbrou lgbt upon the Gninas of the sectional party
in nossesion of Washington. We have already ad-
verted to various instances of violation of the Con-
st,tution by LINCOLN; but the last and most OUT
rageous case is contained in his last Proclamation
When he called out IS 900 militia. he pretended that
he acted under law for suppressing insurrections;
but in directing an increase of the standing army
and navy, he does not even condescend to make an
excuse.
By the Constitution, the power ITO raise and sup
port armies" is expressly confined to Congress- Con
gress at s last session. had the subject under CEN
siderstion, and deliberately refused to raise any
new army, or make any addition to that already
existing. But LINCOLN, without regard to the Con-
sntution, in his proclamation of the Sd May, makes
the following order:
"And also direct that the regular army of the
United States be increased by the addition of eight
regiments of infantry one regiment OF cavalry ana
one regiment of artillery; making altogslher
maa mum aggregate increase OF twenty-five tnou-
sand seven hundred and fourteen oihcers ana en-
listed men; the details of which increase will also
be made known through the Department of War.
"And further direct the enlistment. for not less
than one or more than three years Of eighteen thou
sand seaen in addition to the present force for the
naval service of the United States The details OF
the enlistment and organization VIII De mace known
through the Department of the Navy.
The usurpations Of the LINCOLN dynasty are be-
ginning II attract attention in the Northern States.
The idea is forcing itself upon considerable minds
there that if LINCOLN will set at naught the express
provisions Of the Constitution in his zeal to subju>
gate the S nth, he will not hesitate to turn upon
them if they do not bow to his imperial 5ehests.
| The Cincinnati Enquirer, of the 18th, says:
We have several letters before US in which the
writers express desire TO be informed where the
President gets his authority to make his late call
for ortytwo thousand volunteers to serve Tor three
wears and his authority 70 increase the regular
force of the Army and Navy. The desire Is a very
natural and proper one; and with people Jealous
of the encroachments of power on popular rights.
and watcbful Of their Constitutional freedom, must
be gratifed We suppose the political friends OF
the President can have no difficulty in giving the
informstion-in pointing out the provisions OF the
Constitution and the law which authorize INN to
make the call We have no idea that the President,
| who Is bending his whole energies 10 put Gown
| usurpations of power and attempts to defeat the
operations of the Constitution and the laws, will
himself be guilty of usurping power and violating
the Constitution and the laws. He will afford no
such pretext to others to do violence TO our poti-
| cal system. The President, on the 18th OF March,
took solemn oath to preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution of the United States, 10 the best
Of his ability, and that Constitution makes IT his
specal duty to take care that the laws be faith
fully executed We cannot suppose that the Pres
ident in SO short time has forgotten that oath,
and proved unfaithful to the obligations it imposed
| upon him. The inquiry to his power has been
| made. and we hope some political friend OF the
President VIII point it out. 1t imparts great eoufi-
dence to the country and strengthens the hands Of
| the Administration, 10 know that the safeguards
| upon which the people rely for the protection Of
| their liberties and reserved rights. are not en-
croached upon by those in whom they have cOnfidec
| power for their defense and protection.