The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-07
The Military ARM and the Civil Power Of
the Government.

AAo M-iltaTy hrM ana Cne ClVll rover OF
the Government
If the war should, by any untoward and
wholly unlocked for event, be prolonged an
'other y:ar, it would be-, we apprehend pro-
Cattive of much mischief in introducing the
dangerous clement of a large military power
into our government, to be excited prejudiced,
and used il possible, to serve the ends of design
ing men, quite irrespective Of its rigbtful en-
ployment. We hear much said on all sides, and
from all kinds OF men, of the necessity of re-
turning to the good old ways of the fathers, and,
as we understand these ways from our readings
Of history, we agree most heartily with the gen.
oral proposition. And it may not be untimely
TO consider now what are the rightul province
and functions of the military arm Of the Repub-
lie, and Of The civil power, which is the head, d.
rector, and supreme authority in the common
wealth, in the good old constitutional text Of the
fathers.
The American Government IS strictly o ciru
power. The military arm, is ali agent to be
used when needed, but is no part OF the Govern
ment. We have q President, the lead of the
executive power OF the Government, and, by
virtue Of his Office, COMMANDMENT Chief. We
hayo tho Legislative and the Judicial depart
luenta, coordinate branches of the General Gov.
arnmenr, These comprise the phole of our Gov
eminent. and are charged with all its powers
Ahc relations Oh Congress to the army, are briefly
these: 1t has power g to raise and support ar
mics ''to make rules for the government of
the Iand Jorces;' to provide " for calling forth
the militia to execute the laws of the Union
suppress instructions, &C. 10 provide "for
organizing, erming, and dscplning the militia,
and for governing such part of them as may be
employed in the seru'ce of the United States.' -
congress has also the power " to declare war"
1t will thus be seen that the military arm of the
Government is to be provided for by Congress
and to be governed by such rules and regula-
lions as it may prescribe that it is not in any
sense independent of Congress, or coordinate
with 1t, but the creature Of Congress. and called
into being by it. In other words, the army is
but the servant Of Congress- represents
the people,-called into being for specific pur
poses and for limited time, and subject, in its
entire organization and in all that makes it an
army, to the control and supervision of the Leg
lslative power Of the nation. And the lIxecu-
tive, for the time being is the head OF this army,
and It's military commander if be chooses so to
act.
Ii 10 obvious, from these constitutional limita-
tions OF the powers OF the army, that it must
be always ST. ict!y subordinate to the civil power
in the Republic, or IL transceuds its proper Of
iico and functions. IL also is obvious that it is
the constitutional right Of Congress, and Of the
people through Congress, to direct how and for
what purposes the AMY shall bo used Ii is
iurJhcr obvious that it is the undoubted right Of
the people to freely give expression to their opjn-
ions aud wishes, in respect TO the conduct aud
leadership Of the armies, the management Of II
campaign, or tho ultimate object for which tho
army is to be used Whether such criticisms
or opinions are wise o. not, or valuable or not
" quite another matter, and must be judged
Ike criticisms upon the proceedings Of Congress,
or OF TIE administrations, or OF any other depart
mcnt Of lie Government. by the arguments and
iacts Fl ron which they are based
We have been led to these suggestions be,
cause, just now, there seems to DO purpose on
tina part 81 some portions Of tho press to aee tho