Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-05-20


Ar. President It was not my intention Il
sag anything In regard 10 this bin, for fh,
reason that have been anxious and impa.
tient that Il should pass; bat those who viii
probably vote with me, and who take tbs
same view Of the subject that do, have &C
frequently been assailod In the course of the
argument On this measure as persons who
have no regard 10 she Constitution Of the
countey, and as being willing at ell time
to break Il and lectures have been 90 fre
quently read % ~ from every side Of this
Chamber on the sacredness Of the O0nstitu-
ton and our obligation 10 observe It that to
rOmAin longer silent under these constant
charges would be improper.
lam not unmindful that when took nv
SeSt on this GoOr raised my hand TO God
and BWore that would observe the Oonsti.
tuition. -IbslisFel / an just as mindful Of Il
as those Whoso often lecture Hs on the sub.
ieot. Il isan arrogant assumption on their
part that they are the peculiar friends ard
observers Of the Constitution, while we on
this side Of the Chamber are unmindful Of its
obligations do not believe there is any.
thing in this bill that contravenes one word
or syllable Of that Constitution. ! agree
that the defence 81 that great instru.
msnt the palladium Of our freedom, is the
most sacred duty that devolves on any man
Who takesa seat on this aooF; and am the
last man who, knowingly, would do any
thing 10 contFaVsne any Of is provisions.
The gentlemen who oppose rs on this sub
jeok and who have come to the oonclusioa
that this bill Is unconstitutional, do not
agree among themselves es 10 what pr0Vis-
ions Of the Constitution Il violates. IL I IN.
dorstOOd the SenBtor from Illinois, Mr..
Browning he holds that this Government
has e much power 10 suppress trea-
son and to maintain its authority
as any Government on the face Of
Gods earth; and believe him. The
only question then is, where e this suthor-
ity lodgedf He contends it is altogether IN
the President Of the United States; that the
moment war is declared she President is a
despOt armed with irresponsible power to do
lust what be thinks the necessity of the &C.
oasion requires. A more daugero 1s c0nstFuo.
ton Of that instrument could not be con-
ceiVed. Il is altogether anomalous tits not
IN harmony with any provision OF the Con-
stitution, or the spirit Of cur Institutions.
suppose the rights Of war do invest this Gov
ernmant with all the power that Is necessary
10 maintain Itself intact. The Senator from
Illinois, II I recollect him sright, and be Is
an excellent lawyer, said that II Il were ne
csssary 10 maintain the Constitution, we
might not only forfeit and con6scate the
property Of rebels, bat take the life of every
man Of them. Yes, sir, know We can. A
l. l. - 4 =
great rights, would stand ct the mercy Of
pirates and assassins who might conspire to
destroy Il. No doubt that was sound doc.
trlne; but the simple question is, who shall
szsroiSs the poEsF7 do aot know that
even the Senator from Pennsylvania (Nr.
OoTan) conieads that there Is no power of
selEdeience somewhere lodged In the Oonsti.
tuition equal 70 les preservation under ang
emergency. DOES he suppose that we are
somehow fsttered By the Con6titution 90 that
we cannot defend it,
Mr.. OowAH. / believe precisely as the
honorable Senator from Illinois mr. Brown
ing) does. think the power Is In the Pres.
ident, full, ample, to do everything that Is
necessary, and think be Is an absolute des-
pot as against the rebels. he has the right
to do'eVeFything and everything necessary
to suppress the rebellion that is Warrantsbls
by the Law Of eiViliSed war.
Mr.. WADE. / am very glad to hear it sir,
for I was not quite clear from hearing the
Senator'S argument that he did not believe
there was somewhere some limit By which
We, who intend to maintain the Constitution,
must lie down inert defencslesa, and alloF
to triumph lest we should violate
"a PFaRgEiiGP agiP of tRa iRHSBfRt S % P att asRRt h
an absurdity has not taken lodgment in the
brain of the Senator though am sorry to
bear that the President can under any cir
,Gmstsnces be deapot.
Then, sir, the controversy dWindles down
10 this: the power exists, but where is It
Iodged2 Where would our fathers, in estab-
lishing the freest Government on Gods earth,
be likely to lodge it2 In the irresponsible
power Of one man, called President Was
L not the labor of their lives to prevent any
mans being armed with sbsOlute, unlimited
power Do you believe that those men who
70 ssdulously guarded against irresponsible
power everywhere, would, the moment war
vas declared, when the exigencies of the
were such that irresponsible
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arm him with the power to tram
pie all the limitations they had established
ior liberty under his feet There is nothing
n the Constitution that warrants you in say
ng this power is in the President. He e
he Chief Of your army and
navy, and holds that exalted position By the
consent Of the people Of the United States.
BE is their creature and agent; but, accord !
ng 10 the argument Of some Senators, be |
an assume to be their master, and when |
heir institutions are imperillei their hands |
re tied, and they can do nothing The ab-
urdity is in placing the creature RboTe the |
rsator; in placing the man, who by the Con. |
titution Is the agent Of the people, above the |
,egple and above Congress. Away with 50 |
lavish dOctrinel
Mr.. COWAE. Win the Senator alloW me |
0 ask him question:
Mr.. WADA Yes, sir as many as you
lease.
Mr.. OoWkH. Is not Congress, aS much as
be President the creature and sgsnt Of the
eopls2 Are there not in the Constitution
overs delegated to the President that were
lot delegated 70 Congress; end powers dele
otea to the Judiciary that were not dele.
ated to OongFess7 Would it not be q viols.
lon Of the Constitution If the one were TO
suFp the powers whhh are expressly given
o the other3
Hr. WADA Suppose all that to be 40
rho stands nearest the people, the source Of
Il power; we or this Irresponsible chief of
oursf Congress has power to declare var,
D provide armies 70 defend the. country,
z 10 asSal other countries. That DOW.
{ is lodged IN Congress By The Oonstitu.
1tlon. And Jet you suppose, with these
est and important powers in Congress.
lat the Presidsnt is, somewhere outside
I the Constitution, invested with supreme
over above that Of Congress
and uncontEollsble. The idea
absurd, and unworthy an American Sen
tor or an American Congress The Prssi-
snt is Commander-in-O Chief Of your armies.
Then VA Is declared, or if war exists With
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