Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-01-26
The Presidents Message.

= p WI VIZ
sorry that we were disappointed in our
arrangements to give it entire to our
patrons. We presume all our readers
have advised themselves rs to the views
of the the retiring President. 1t was
not our purpose to express an opinion
upon the Message. prctcrring to let it
speak for itself: We felt convinced
that its rcadingwould disappoint every
body; but it appears the editor of the
P;ouecr is satisfied, and pronounccs it
ubh and conservative.
Had We have expressed our views, we
would have said it lacked manlincss.
1t wants Observation-Disclosures is in
consistent-it is time-scrving. 1t r.
bukcs the Southern ~tire-eatcrs us rebels,
exposes and ccnsurcs their disunion an
ties. and then says, $50 on gentlemen,
| will not blame you YOU have been
treated outrageousl.v, and arc perfectly
j%ustitiablc." 1t wants backbone. 1t
has made a fatal mistake in encourage
ing the South to press for the relief of
grievances which are only fancicd, al
lowing rebellion to grow, when prompt
ncssof action would have restored peace
and brought the people to a return to
duty to the Constitution and laws.
Had the President really desired to
add fuel to the flame, and thus entail
the horrors of civil war upon his sue
cessor in office. the course he has pur-
sued could not have been better selected.
ABLY and ingeniously written as it may
be, vet no one can fail to sec that by it,
the South is encouraged to believe
the ayyrcssions of the North have
been so great that they are justified in
med:tating that most awful Of crimcs-
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of this tnion-subvcr-
sion of the greatest government ever
established hy mortal wisdom.
But we desire to call attention to the
comments Of the Pioneer. 1t opens
thus:-
Its tone gives satisfaction to neither of the cx-
trcmcs, because he takes no direct action in rcla-
tion to the terrible political troubles and why
should he? His official position leaves him pow
crless. unless supported by Congress; all that he
can do now is to advise and give official informa-
ton of the state Of the Union
Had we said he took 10 direct action
in relation 10 the terrible political troubles,
We would have thought VIC were disrc-
spectful to the cold Public Function
ary." We are of those who believe
that his oath of Office requires him to
take direct action. His omission to do
30 is a violation of that oath, a failure
to do his duty.
Why should he take direct action
Because he is sworn to support the Con-
stitution, which is the supreme law of
the land, ordained by the people of
these United States to secure a more
perfect Union, and the insurance Of do
nestle tranquility.
And that idea of the Pioneer as to the
power of the President: "AU he can
do is to ADVISE and gre official intorma-
nation cfMe state Of the UMion." Is
that all Is the Presidenta mere Con-
gressional reporter, and adviser Of how
to frame laws and to perform legisla-
ton? We read differently. We find
in Sec. 3 of Art. II. of that fundamen-
tai code, among other specified duties,
the following: "He shall take care that
The lars be faithfully erecuted;" to do
which he, as commander-in-chicf of the
army and navy of the United States,
can use the whole power of the nation.
Neither has he any authority to advise
Congress. 1t is a separate and indie
pendent branch Of the government.
He may recommend what he pleascs,
but what they enact it is his duty to
s e executed. 1t is his sworn duty to
support and defend the Constitution,
to sec that it is respected as the SUI
rreme law of the land, and that the
laws of the United States are faithfully
carried into effect. IF South Carolina
has rebelled, it is his duty to suppress
that rebellion. As we believe she is
now in an open state Of revolution, we
believe it was the dutyof the President
to study liew that might be- ended, not
t, hunt for prctexts to Justify he,